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James Arness

James Arness (originally Aurness) (born May 26, 1923 in Minneapolis) is an actor best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, a role he played for 20 years, to this day the longest any actor has played the same role on the same show in prime time. He is the brother of Peter Graves.

Though primarily identified with Westerns, he also is remembered for appearing in two science fiction films, The Thing from Another World and Them!


Note: This profile was written in or before 2004.

James Arness Facts

Birth NameJames Aurness
OccupationActor
BirthdayMay 26, 1923
SignGemini
BirthplaceMinneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Date of deathJune 3, 2011 (Los Angeles, California, USA, age 88)
Height6' 7" (2m1)  How tall is James Arness compared to you?

Selected Filmography

Island in the Sky
Gunsmoke: Seasons 6
Them!
Gunsmoke: The Long Ride
Gunsmoke: The Twelfth Season, Volume Two
Gunsmoke: The Twelfth Season, Volume One
The Thing from Another World
Hondo
Gunsmoke: Season 1
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