Having been married for 15 years, they finally parted ways in 1963. His portrayal of Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke earned him accolades and wealth for many years beyond the twenty-year run of the show. Arness said he still watched Gunsmoke after retiring. Despite spending more than a decade together, the couple never shared any children. Luckily, their first date was memorable enough that, when he did finally call, Janet answered and accepted a second date offer. In the early 1960s, John Wayne took an interest in Arness and was instrumental in getting him cast in Gunsmoke, the show that would ultimately define his career for the next two decades. After Cry Macho, What Clint Eastwoods Next Movie Should Be. But there was one person in particular that James wanted to thank most his wife, Janet. He was an infantryman and was wounded in the battle of Anzio, Italy, but his brother was posted to the Army Air Force which later became a separate branch of the U.S. military. James Arness, who played Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, eventually became CBSs most important actor overall. However, StrictlyWeddings.com is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. The actor died in his sleep at his home in Brentwood, Calif., according to his business manager, Ginny Fazer. Jim Backus. At present, Arness's only surviving child is his sonRolf, whobecame a world surfing champion in 1970. [21] He adopted her son. Arness later found love inThordis Brand. And it was great. Arness died on June 3, 2011, at age 88 from natural causes. 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. Your health is important to us. Alexis Arquette Bio, Net Worth, Height, Age, Affairs, Boyfriend & Death, Kyle Secor Bio, Age, Net Worth, Height, Married & Wife. Aside from the "Gunsmoke" franchise, James made a name for himself, starring in other films throughout the 50s. He was also a sensitive and loving man and husband. There is a longstanding rumor that John Wayne was considered for the part of Matt Dillon, but he turned it down. . However, legendary Western actor John Wayne thought he had star potential. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Luckily, Janet didnt hold a grudge and the two went on a second date. This is not the case. His role as marshall Matt Dillon made him an iconic hero to millions all over the world. Arness' 20-year prime-time run as the marshal was tied only in recent times, by Kelsey Grammer's 20 years as Frasier Crane from 1984 to 2004 on "Cheers" and then on "Frasier." . April 22, 1955| Source: Getty Images. At some point, Alden's wife urged her to join them for dinner since James would also be there. A: Matt Dillon (James Arness) and Kitty (Amanda Blake) never married during the series 1955-75 run, although close watchers of the show were convinced they had connected at some time. He is the older brother of "Mission: Impossible," and "Airplane!" "We were introduced to each other, we sat down, and Jim was so friendly he was just so down-to-earth, and my nervousness went away. The best part of my life was my family, especially my wife Janet. They also shared an adopted a son who Virginia Chapman had from another marriage. 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. Advertisement He did an outstanding job in the lead role of U.S. In my case, pictures like that simply want to take advantage of the Matt Dillon reputation, which is exactly what I dont want. But Janet was hesitant at first. Arness yet served as a rifleman during the Infantry Division in the 3rd range within the United States. He left behind his wife of 33 years when the actor himself passed away. He grew up with his sibling, his younger brother, Peter Graves who is also an actor. But I never met him. "Fortunately, there aren't many times when show business intrudes on our family existence.". What made us different from other Westerns was the fact that Gunsmoke wasnt just action and a lot of shooting. Together with her adopted son, Craig, they created a family. Gunsmoke is a TV Western drama series that ran from September 10, 1955, to March 31, 1975, on CBS. From 1976 to 1979, Arness played on television in the role of Zeb Macahan in the series How the West Was Won. Arness and his wifeVirginia Chapman in 1956. So from the movies success, he might have received a decent amount of money. Arness was married to Janet Surtees from 1978 until his death although they did separate for a short time but got back together. After that day they didn't meet again for about three months. 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. Arness was 88 years old. While in the hospital, nurses suggested that his voice would be perfect for the radio, reports The Guardian. Before Janet, James was married to Virginia Chapman from 1948 until 1963; the couple had three children, Rolf, Craig, and Jenny Lee, who died of suicide in 1975. However, the couple split in 1963 for reasons that were not known. Arnes was of American nationality and used to belongs to the white ethnicity. At the time of his death, he had an estimated net worth of $8 million US dollars. GUNSMOKE's James Arness was born on May 26, 1923. The star, James Arness was married twice in his life. Arness might be known for Gunsmoke, but that was hardly the only thing he did. ', Your email address will not be published. com for more We had great stories, great writing, and we had fine casting and directors. James starred alongside huge TV legends likeEva Marie Saint,Fionnula Flanagan,Bruce Boxleitner, andRichard Kiley. They say its not a matter in what field you are engaged, if you are working hard with equal dedication, you will definitely gain both name and fame. He was 88. Here is a look at his life and career. He completed his high school in June 1942. After the separation, Arness got legalcustody of their children. Your email address will not be published. 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And here comes this huge man through the door. But the Gunsmoke star married the next woman he met after his split from Brand. Are you a James Arness fan? But information about her mother isnt available in the media. A: Matt Dillon (James Arness) and Kitty (Amanda Blake) never married during the series 1955-75 run, although close watchers of the show were convinced they had connected at some time. It plagued him for the rest of his life. And they also had a son, Rolf who was born on February 18, 1952. Arness and Surtees were married from 1978 to up until his death in 2011. He even worked as a radio announcer before moving to Los Angeles in 1946. Chapman. He first shared wedding vows withVirginia Chapman in 1948. Many delicious foods and drinks were provided, including cheese, crackers, bread, wine, and much more. It was reported James passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Brentwood home in Los Angeles. Alden's wife worked with Janet at the time in a dress shop. Arness and Surtees were married for over 35 years at the time of his death in 2011. On a Friday in 1977, she died from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills at her home in Malibu, California. He was 88. And it was the work they did with local Jewish youth that motivated Arness to donate the property in the first place. He was 88. He tried his hand at a non-Western series with McClains Law, a short-lived 1981-1982 police drama. She was nervous about having dinner with the actor, but they ended up getting along great. However, after one magical date, James didnt call Janet for three months! The. James Arness, who played Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, eventually became CBS's most important actor overall. For some, the tragedies never seem to stop and they keep compounding in every phase of their lives. Here is a look at his life and career. The couple got married in 1979 and they stayed together until Carl Ann died. According to theLos Angeles Times, James passed away at 88 years old on June 3, 2011, due to natural causes. Actor. Your email address will not be published. There was a high rumor about a long-term relationship between James Arness and actress, Thordis Brandt, but they never get married. Gangsta Boo Cause of Death: Did Gangsta Boo Tie The Knot? One night, the owner of the store invited Janet over to meet Jim. var s = d.createElement('script'); s.type='text/javascript';s.async=true; When Graves decided to pursue acting professionally, he adopted the surname 'Graves' to honor his mother's family. But Janet was hesitant at first. Besides, James had married twice in his life. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (function(d) { She was 56 years old at the time of her death. After their divorce, his father James was granted legal custody of the children. I had a wonderful life and was blessed with so many loving people and great friends. The couple got married in 1978 and remained together until the death of the actor in 2011. The Arness family at home. On June 3, 2011, he died of natural causes. In 2006, Arness said he felt like the luckiest guy in the world because of his experiences. Since they set up another dinner date, it became the start of their lifelong journey together as a couple. id: "beb5f82f-dce3-49e6-a836-cf24eb78a6f6", Through their marital relationship, the couple had four children Rolf Arness, Craig Arness, Jim Arness, and Jenny Lee Arness. Arness was born to James Arness and Virginia Chapman. James had a son named Rolf who became a World Surfing Champion in 1970. Arness was married to Virginia Chapman in 1948. In 1960, he had a star placed in honor of him at 1751 Vine Street on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. James father, Rolf Cirkler Aurness was a business person, and his mother, Ruth Duesler was a journalist. He was found dead at Brentwoods home in Los Angeles, California. Arness is immortal in TV history as Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, the longest-running network. James has been known for the role throughout his career, which is why the subsequent projects he starred in are linked to it. His father, Rolf Aurness, was a businessman, while his mother, Ruth, was a journalist. James flew Janet back later that day. All information on this site is provided "as is", with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information. When the Gunsmoke offer came in, he said, I wouldnt be able to do it, but I have a young man here under contract who I think would maybe fit the bill. So he very graciously offered to introduce the first episode. These include "Wyoming Mail," "Two Lost Worlds," "The People Against O'Hara," "Iron Man,"The Lone Hand," and "Island in the Sky," among many others. Having lived a fulfilling life as an actor, James Arness died on the 3rd day of June 2011. There just was never anybody else like him.. d: "YWxsc3RhcmJpby5jb20=", James Arness has been bestowed many honors for . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. | Source: Getty Images. Stephen Greif Cause Of Death: When Stephen Greif Passed Away? Your email address will not be published. Woody McClain, Brian Blosil, and Tom Rhys are some renowned American actors. So, even after 33 years of marriage, there isnt a lot of information about the Hollywood actors wife. James and Janet lived happily, even after his stint as Marshal Matt Dillon in "Gunsmoke" and his movies. Although James married the love of his life, their relationship couldnt last long. He believed the family seen on Gunsmoke was why people kept going back to it for two decades. But the Gunsmoke starmarried the next woman he met after his split from Brand. He met her four yearsafter his divorce fromChapman and dated herfor six years. After he divorced Chapman, he married an actress . And I thought, Eew, an actor I dont know,' said Janet with a laugh. If he wants to call me, he will. Three months later, he finally called. David Spade Net Worth: How Many Houses Does He Have? He drifted around Mexico for some time; then, he returned to Hollywood with a burning desire to become an actor. His father was a vendor for surgical instruments while his mom stayed home to tend the house and raise the kids she later became a newspaper columnist, and her marriage with Rolf ended in the 40s. He is a big guy, and He was very polite," sherecallsof meeting James. Previously, Arness had tied the knot with his long-term girlfriend, Virginia Chapman in 1948. He can also be spotted in John Fords underrated Wagon Master. Like his daughter, Arness's first wife, Chapman, died of a drug overdose in 1977, two years after the couple's daughter passed away. He first shared wedding vows with Virginia Chapman in 1948. Why dont you come over and meet him? At first, Janet was skeptical about meeting James, a television star, but since her son was a fan of his, she tried and took that leap of fate. James Arness passed away on June 3, 2011, just a week after his 88th birthday. Moreover, the actor adopted a son named Craig (born 1946) from his then-wife Virginia's previous marriage. where it was shown numerous times in the decades that followed. He was a rifleman and served in the Battle of Anzio with the 2nd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division. Gunsmoke actor James Arness was frequently asked why characters Matt Dillon and Miss Kitty never got married. James Arness net worth: James Arness was an American actor who had a net worth of $8 million. That didn't happen until after three months, and she had been reluctant to call him because, as she told Alden's wife, he probably had a lot of ladies calling him. 5 Great And Criminally Underrated Westerns. 1960) Janet Surtees (m. 1978) }; Since she was already familiar with his profession, she decided to talk about her own. He also reprised his role in the movies that came after: "Gunsmoke: The Last Apache" in 1990, "Gunsmoke: To the Last Man" in 1992, "Gunsmoke: The Long Ride" in 1993, and "Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice" in 1994. They found out they had a common interest in skiing, and it led to a date at an old miners' cabin he owned. He was born James King Aurness inMinneapolis, Minnesota. Graves had an elder brother, James Arness, who was also an actor. Arness' daughter Jenny committed suicide on 12th May 1975 by drug overdose. He was also listed as the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 at 1751 Vine Street. James Arness married Virginia Chapman in 1948. His real issue though was his height. The family name was entitled to the title Aursnes because his father migrated from Norway in 1887. The fans wanted to see more obvious indications of their relationship, but. In reality, Wayne suggested Arness for the part and even introduced the first episode of Gunsmoke. Arness Became Famous In Hollywood In 1955 | Source: Getty Images. He tried to make ends meet by taking up menial jobs while collecting veteran benefits as he drifted towards Hollywood. Of course, she was charmed by his politeness and friendliness, so they got to talking. 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. (Humorous pause). James frequently donated items hed collected from the sets he worked on to charity. CBS spokesman Chris Ender says former "Gunsmoke" star James Arness died Friday, June 3, 2011 of natural causes. Along with Rolf Arness, his stepson Jim Surtees, six grandchildren, and a great-grandchild, she survived him. Jim Arness said, "If Matt and Kitty [had] an on-screen love affair, they'd have to get married. Arness was born to businessman Rolf Cirkler Aurness and writer Ruth Duesler on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In high school, he appeared in school plays, but he showed no interest in performing instead, he yearned to go to sea. })(document); Virginia Chapman (m. 1948; div. So there are many of the shows that I had never seen, Arness told the Signal. Marshal Matt Dillon on the popular Western series that aired for a then-record 20 seasons on television James Arness Had Two Relationships Afterward Arness later found love in Thordis Brand. Apart, Arness had already become a grandfather of six grandchildren. He amassed most of this through his long-standing Hollywood career. During an interview, Janet opened up about the night she met James. 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.". He was 88. She grew up with her siblings Rolf Aurness and Craig Aurness who was adopted. However, in 1971, he was forced to temporarily leave the show for just a handful of episodes because he had to undergo heart surgery after suffering a heart attack. After their first meeting, Janet did not call James until after three months. He graduated high school in June 1942, despite being a poor student and skipping classes. Janet Surtees Arness is. Esin Gmkl (@l_gumusk) May 23, 2021. World War II soldier turned actor James Arness had trouble finding meaty roles due to his height; his greatest was as the title monster in The Thing from Another World before the show premiered (1951). Full NameJames King Aurness Net Worth$8 Million Date of Birth26 May, 1923 NicknameJames Marital Status Married BirthplaceMinneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. But fate stepped in. She was 60. 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