Apart from his iconic role in "Gunsmoke" which he reprised many times even after it ended in 1975, James played roles in television dramas like "How The West Was Won", "McClain's Law" and more . He tried his hand at a non-Western series with McClains Law, a short-lived 1981-1982 police drama. During the battle, he wounded his right leg and was medically evacuated from Italy to Iowa. Are you a James Arness fan? Arness was passionate about Gunsmoke, but he put his children ahead of his shooting schedule. 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James and Janet lived happily, even after his stint as Marshal Matt Dillon in "Gunsmoke" and his movies. But there was one person in particular that James wanted to thank most his wife, Janet. Arness passed away on June 3, 2011 at his Brentwood home from natural causes. So from the movies success, he might have received a decent amount of money. Late actor James Drury was wed three times, but the love of his life will always be his third wife, Carl Ann Drury. In 1978, James and Janet tied the knot at a wedding in Brentwood, Los Angeles wedding. How The Actor Died. "I'm sitting there nervously waiting, and I hear a knock on the door. Alden's wife worked with Janet at the time in a dress shop. He initially worked as a courier for a jewelry wholesaler as a high school student. They were last married in 1978 to Janet Surtees. But Janet was hesitant at first. Graves had an elder brother, James Arness, who was also an actor. Janet met James while she was working at a clothing store. So, basically, the most romantic date ever. Janet was working for a clothing store owned by the wife of Jims make-up artist. James Arness was first married in 1948 to Virginia Chapman. Keeping this in mind, the American actor James Arness build up his profession in acting, despite having a dream to be a naval fighter pilot. And his mothers name is Ruth Duesler who was from Germany and was a journalist by the profession. They had been together for six years. Then on December 16, 1978, Arness married Janet Surtees. They tied the knot in 1978 and lived in Brentwood, Los Angeles. For his service, Arness was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and several other medals. Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other James Arness fans! He had started surfing from a young age with the support of his father. . Luckily, she gave him the benefit of the doubt and went on a second date (three months later) and the two were married for 33 years. He also played the title character in The Thing From Another World and starred in Them! While Arnesss height made it hard for him to be a pilot, it would later come in handy during his days as a leading man in Hollywood. Wayne was still making box office hits at the time anyway, so it would have been a shocker for him to take a lead part in the then-nascent world of television. But the Gunsmoke star married the next woman he met after his split from Brand. Her mother Virginia died of a drug overdose in 1977. He eventually called her and asked her on a dinner date that led to the relationship that lasted till his death. Arness had a dream to be a pilot as a naval fighter. Marshal Matt Dillon on the popular Western series that aired for a then-record 20 seasons on television Arness escorted her somewhere alone for lunch, clearly knowing exactly where he was heading. James Arness, famous as the star of one of the longest-running shows in U.S. television history, "Gunsmoke," was born to Rolf Aurness and Ruth Duesler Graves. He often talked about watching Gunsmoke whenever he saw it on TV. Moreover, in theEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, he won three bronze battle stars. He also had a daughter named Jenny who passed in 1975. "They said they had to keep Matt independent." He was also a sensitive and loving man and husband. As of 2023, The net worth of James Arness to be at $10 million. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife Janet Surtees at his house in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, the United States. Arness later found love inThordis Brand. But, his role as Zeb Macahan in "How The West Was Won" sealed him as a television icon in the United States and Europe. He went to John Burroughs Grade School, Washburn High School, and West High School in Minneapolis. Arness and Surtees were married for over 35 years at the time of his death in 2011. Advertisement The night they first met, the two spent the night talking about their families, work, and favorite hobbies. They also adopted her son Craig (1946-December 14, 2004). Yes, he was tall, handsome, polite, and a famous actor, but he dropped the ball after a super romantic date with his future wife, Janet Surtees. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Furthermore, he won theWorld War II Victory Medal, and theCombat Infantryman Badge. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Janet Surtees Arness is. Jenny and Chapman died of drug overdoses in 1975 and 1977, respectively. James Arness was best known for playing Marshal Matt Dillon for two decades on CBS Gunsmoke. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! Inside the marriage of Janet and her Late Husband James Arness. They had tied the knot in 1948. When Arnesss entertainment career took off, he struggled to maintain a healthy balance between work and family life. In 2006, Arness said he felt like the luckiest guy in the world because of his experiences. For the whole 20 years the series was on the air from 1955 until 1975, he appeared in an impressive 605 of 635 episodes, according to IMBD . They went horse riding and stopped at a remote camping area where other people had also settled to rest. (From left) James Arness with Rolf (age 5), Virginia with daughter Jenny Lee (age 8) and Craig (age 10) on the floor. I was like, Oh my gosh, he is a big guy,' said Janet with a laugh. Moreover, James attended John Burroughs Grade School, Washburn High School, and West High School in Minneapolis. 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Its a lot of fun to watch. We just started talking, and he was a skier, and I was into skiing.". I want major pictures and I dont care if its not the leading role.. The tragedy does not stop there. Before his death, he penned a letter that expressed his deep feelings for her, his fans, and his family. The couple shared two children, a son named Rolf Arness ( (born February 18, 1952) and a daughter named Jenny Arness (born May 23, 1950). Both Janet and James Arness were pretty private people. "Fortunately, there aren't many times when show business intrudes on our family existence.". d: "YWxsc3RhcmJpby5jb20=", As of 2022, James Arnesss net worth was $10 million. She was a beautiful and gracious lady who had a lot to do with the success of 'Gunsmoke, series star James Arness said Thursday. James Arness played law-abiding Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke (CBS, 1955-1975), the longest-running drama in television history, and became one of the most well-known actors of the 1950s through the 1970s. He acted alongside John Wayne in Big Jim McLain, Hondo, Island in the Sky, and The Sea Chase. Arness could rest easy knowing that he will forever be associated with the Wild West thanks to the shows lasting rerun success. The actor founded Westlight, a stock photography agency. where it was shown numerous times in the decades that followed. Despite having a dream to be a pilot as a naval fighter, Arnesss dream came to the end because of his eyesight problem. At the time of his death, James was married to his second wife, Janet Surtees; the couple married in 1978. Their longest marriage was 33 years to Janet Surtees. In 1978, Arness married Janet Surtees. James Arness is married to Janet Surtees. Gunsmoke is a TV Western drama series that ran from September 10, 1955, to March 31, 1975, on CBS. The couple shared a son named Jim from Janet's previous relationship. Actor James Arness (right) with his brother, actor Peter Graves.| Source: Getty Images. He even worked as a radio announcer before moving to Los Angeles in 1946. His performance as a quiet man with an amazing sense of justicewas appreciated by millions of fans. His father, Rolf Aurness, was a businessman, while his mother, Ruth, was a journalist. His muscular physique and charming and authoritative personality made him one of Hollywood's biggest Western drama stars at the time. The pair divorced in 1963, leaving him with legal custody of their children.. And it was great. There was a high rumor about a long-term relationship between James Arness and actress, Thordis Brandt, but they never get married. Arness was married to Virginia Chapman in 1948. The move was a fulfilling one for Chapman, who started a motel service opened to all in California because she believed integration could only happen when white people, especially those at the top, stepped forward to mix with the black society. Janet revealed that he was very polite and friendly. The two spent the entire night talking and at the end of the night, James asked Janet for her phone number. In 1987, he played the same character in the television film "Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge." And he lived a private family life with them. James Arness (born James King Aurness; May 26, 1923 - June 3, 2011) was an American actor, best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon for 20 years in the CBS television series Gunsmoke.Arness has the distinction of having played the role of Dillon in five decades: 1955 to 1975 in the weekly series, then in Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge (1987) and four more made-for-television Gunsmoke films . After the separation, Arness got legalcustody of their children. James met his second wife, Janet Surtees, thanks to his makeup artist Glen Alden, who had a wife that managed a dress shop where she worked. James Arness enjoyed a wonderful professional career but the same can't be said of his personal life where he prematurely lost so many people he loved before he inevitably passed away himself. After their first meeting, Janet did not call James until after three months. He had a young brother named Peter who later gained fame as an actor named Peter Graves. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
, The Tragic Life and Sad Ending of JAMES ARNESS. As a result, he played a role in getting Arness to accept the role of Matt on Gunsmoke, the show that would prove to be the pinnacle of his career. Arness died on June 3, 2011, at age 88 from natural causes. It aired for 20 seasons and made him and other actors in it world-famous. Moreover, he was a photographer for National Geographic. Arness stood 6-foot-7, making him one of the tallest leading men of his era. He was 88. Married on February 12, 1948; divorced in 1960; attempted suicide twice. Here is a look at his life and career. Who Has Ashton Kutcher Dated? He didn't remarry for 18 whole years until Janet Surtees came along. This is not the case. After Cry Macho, What Clint Eastwoods Next Movie Should Be. Arness Became Famous In Hollywood In 1955 | Source: Getty Images. Like his daughter, Arness's first wife, Chapman, died of a drug overdose in 1977, two years after the couple's daughter passed away. His father was a traveling salesman of medical supplies and his mother . Arness had hoped to serve as a pilot but thought his poor eyesight would be a problem. Then there was a knock at the door. James Arness has been divorced once, in 1960. Arness was born James King Aurness on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, the son of businessman Rolf Aurness and journalist Ruth Duesler. Janet worked there for seven years and grew close with the couple. Let's have a look at the details of his death, his multiple married life, his numerous children, as well as the loved ones he lost. He is father of Three(Craig Aurness, Rolf Aurness, Jenny Lee Aurness). He served in the United States Army for two years from 1943 to 1945. He also has six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Jenny Arness, the actor's beautiful 24-year old daughter, killed herself with a lethal overdose of sleeping pills after watching an episode of Cher's Sunday night CBS television show that had Gregg Allman as a guest. However, Arness was eventually pulled back to Gunsmoke, starring in five made-for-TV movies between 1987 and 1993. During an interview, Janet shares the funny stories behind their romance. His wife passed away due to a drug overdose. Full NameJames King Aurness Net Worth$8 Million Date of Birth26 May, 1923 NicknameJames Marital Status Married BirthplaceMinneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. How many times has James Arness been married? James Arness (born James King Aurness; May 26, 1923 - June 3, 2011) was an American actor, best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon for 20 years in the CBS television series Gunsmoke. The couple shared two children, a son named Rolf Arness ((born February 18, 1952) and a daughter named Jenny Arness (born May 23, 1950). After the end of his first marriage, James exchanged his wedding vows with Janet Surtees. Andrew Dorff Cause of Death: What Happened to Andrew Dorff? Arness died on 3 June 2011 of natural causes at the age of 88. "Gunsmoke" star James Arness has died at age 88, CBS spokesman Chris Ender confirmed. They went on to have two more children, whom they named Jenny and Rolf but were divorced by 1963. Arness was 88 years old. He led an incredible life, serving in World War II and becoming an actor without little formal training in the craft. James Arness is the first son of Rolf Cirkler Aurness and Ruth Duesler. Surtees was surprised when she saw James pick up all the trash and stuff it in his saddle and is convinced he was a "cool guy.". She loves to volunteer and can often be found working with the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Education Foundation. Arness initially had difficulty juggling a booming career in entertainment with his home life, which resulted in some issues. He was 88. He briefly attended Beloit College in Wisconsin before his service with the United States. 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