James Arness passed away today at the age of 88. Arness was best known for his role as Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke
from 1955-1975. I remember regularly watching the show as a kid, as well as his performance in the mini-series How the West Was Won (1978-1979). Those were the days when a man was a man and we did not have politicians lying about a mistress and sending crotch shots. Oh wait, there was Watergate, and maybe some other stuff. But Arness was the real deal. For his army service in World War II, he received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Several websites have stories about Arness, including Entertainment Weekly’s explanation why Arness was the greatest TV lawman and E! Online’s list of 5 reasons Arness was a legend. He was so cool, he apparently had had not one but two “official” websites.
Although the role of Matt Dillon was originally offered to John Wayne, Wayne recommended Arness. The Duke introduced the first episode in 1955 with high praise for his friend Arness. In Wayne’s introduction, he predicts Arness will be a big star, “so you might as well get used to him.” That was pretty easy for us to do.
What are your memories of James Arness and Gunsmoke? Leave a comment.
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James Arness passed away today at the age of 88. Arness was best known for his role as Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke