The pair divorced in 1963, leaving him with legal custody of their children. He briefly attended Beloit College in Wisconsin before his service with the United States. He was born on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US. How Did James Arness Die? She would tell me about Jim and their adventures. Woody McClain, Brian Blosil, and Tom Rhys are some renowned American actors. Jamess make-up artist on the set of Gunsmoke married the woman who owned the clothing store. The cast of 'Gunsmoke' poses around a wagon in a promotional portrait for the Western television series. In 1948, a few years before the premiere of Gunsmoke on television, Arness married his first wife, Virginia Chapman. I had been in about four pictures for his company with him. Born James King Aurness to businessman Rolf Cirkler Aurness and journalist Ruth Duesler,Jameslived a pretty wealthy life being from Norweigan and of German descent. On the other side of the spectrum, James's son as well as his only remaining offspring by blood, Rolf Arness made his father proud when he became World Surfing Champion in 1970. But she died of a drug overdose in 1975. What do you think of his eventful life with his two wives? 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. At that time, a life-size billboard depicting Jim smoking stood in the marketplace. (AP Photo/Scott Harms) James Arness, the 6-foot-6 actor who towered over . Arness stood 6-foot-7, making him one of the tallest leading men of his era. There they had food and spoke about their families. From 1976 to 1979, Arness played on television in the role of Zeb Macahan in the series How the West Was Won. He was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California. Extremely private personality, James Arness refused to talk about his life's biggest tragedies. ALSO SEE: Hulk Hogan Visit article bio. Despite this, Janet and Arness had a great day as they strolled by a beautiful waterfall. That was a big factor.,
Relationship Status In 1948, Arness married Virginia Chapman and adopted Craig, her son. Moreover, He was the tallest leading man in Hollywood by the time. But in a 1973 episode, Matt had a brief affair with another woman, Mike Yardner (Michael Learned), while he had amnesia. Arness' remained with his second wife until his death in 2011. 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. And they also had a son, Rolf who was born on February 18, 1952. However, James and Janet never had any children together. TV Land, theyre on there; we were on the Westerns channel but then a few months ago they took us off. During an interview, Janet shares the funny stories behind their romance. Peter Graves, who played Solomon Lane in Mission: Impossible, was James older brother. The star, James Arness was married twice in his life. (From left) James Arness with Rolf (age 5), Virginia with daughter Jenny Lee (age 8) and Craig (age 10) on the floor. After Gunsmoke, Arness starred in How the West Was Won. He and Peter participated in the Second World War, but unfortunately, he didn't leave the battlefield uninjured. They also adopted her son Craig (1946-December 14, 2004). James Arness, who played Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, eventually became CBS's most important actor overall. Additionally, he directed five episodes of the . Are you a James Arness fan? On June 3, 2011, he died of natural causes. I guess people just had to get used to it, he said. He had three children over the course of his lifetime - Craig, Rolf, and Jenny. Alden's wife worked with Janet at the time in a dress shop. exitPopMobile: true, Portrait of James Arness (portrays Marshal Matt Dillon). Not everyone is fortunate enough to live a life with minimal tragic incidents. Nothing happened for three months. He was 88. In 1948 he married Virginia Chapman and adopted her child from Craig's previous marriage. Arness was born to businessman Rolf Cirkler Aurness and writer Ruth Duesler on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He enjoyedpoetry, sailboat racing, and surfing. Besides his wife, survivors include a son from his first marriage, Rolf Aurness, who was the world surfing champion in 1970; a stepson, Jim Surtees; and. 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.". After their divorce, Chapman, a white woman, picked up her things and moved to San Bernadino, California an area Blacks had dominated. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. They had been together for six years. 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. He was 88. One night, her friend invited Janet over for dinner to meet James Arness. And here comes this huge man through the door. But Janet was hesitant at first. Janets friend, who owned the dress shop and knew Jim, suggested that Janet call him. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (function(d) { Arness was married twice, first to Virginia Chapman from 1948 until their divorce in 1960. In addition, he was married to his wife,Daphne, and had two children, Holly and Brian. The Arness family at home. Your email address will not be published. After appearing on The Farmers Daughter, Arness dropped the u in his name and would be credited as James Arness for the rest of his life. James was one of the most experienced actors in Hollywood. So, even after 33 years of marriage, there isnt a lot of information about the Hollywood actors wife. His younger brother Peter Greaves used the stage name "Graves" which was a maternal family name. Furthermore, he was also nominated for thePrimetime Emmy Awards thrice. Turns out, Janets son was a huge fan of Gunsmoke. They also adopted her son Craig (1946-December 14, 2004). As of June 3, 2011, James Arnesss life had ended at the age of 88. In fact, they never accepted their relationship in public. All Rights Reserved. They led a happily married life since their nuptials, supporting each other through thick and thin until the actor's passing in 2011. He had blue-colored eyes and blonde-colored hair. After Cry Macho, What Clint Eastwoods Next Movie Should Be. Most recently they were married to Janet Surtees in 1978. CBS spokesman Chris Ender says former "Gunsmoke" star James Arness died Friday, June 3, 2011 of natural causes. CBS television series Gunsmoke, James Arness died on June 3, 2011, Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, United States. In 2006, Arness said he felt like the luckiest guy in the world because of his experiences. She wasnt sure how she felt about meeting, and possibly dating, a big-time Hollywood star. When Graves decided to pursue acting professionally, he adopted the surname 'Graves' to honor his mother's family. Their longest marriage was 33 years to Janet Surtees. Arness portrayed the iconic role of US Marshall Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke. But in a 1973 episode, Matt had a brief affair with another woman, Mike Yardner (Michael Learned), while he had amnesia. Inside the marriage of Janet and her Late Husband James Arness. Rolf was a Norwegian and his wife, Ruth was a journalist. Arness died on June 3, 2011, at age 88 from natural causes. He grew up with his sibling, his younger brother, Peter Graves who is also an actor. Ethnicity White ProfessionActor Nationality American Active Year1947-1994 Eye colour Hazel Hair colour Brown BuildAverage SpouseVirginia Chapman (m. 1948; div. It plagued him for the rest of his life. Advertisement It was reported James passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Brentwood home in Los Angeles. He is a big guy, and He was very polite," sherecallsof meeting James. After their first meeting, Janet did not call James until after three months. The whole package just came together.. On the other hand, the movies, he had appeared on as well in the entertainment industry. The tragedy does not stop there. Arness died from natural causes at his home in Los Angeles on June 3, 2011, a family spokesman said at the time. Luckily, Janet didnt hold a grudge and the two went on a second date. Through their marital relationship, the couple had four children Rolf Arness, Craig Arness, Jim Arness, and Jenny Lee Arness. One night, the owner of the store invited Janet over to meet Jim. He was a one-of-a-kind guy. After the separation, Arness got legalcustody of their children. James had a rich background as he was of Norwegian, German, and English descent. He received theBronze Star and thePurple Heart. However, legendary Western actor John Wayne thought he had star potential. James wrote, I wanted to take this time to thank all of you for the many years of being a fan of Gunsmoke, The Thing, How the West Was Won, and all the other fun projects I was lucky enough to have been allowed to be a part of. actorPeter Graves. After dinner, he walked me out to my car and said, Well, Id like to call you,' said Janet. (Arness would later say that Matt's only onscreen kiss was in that episode, "Matt's Love Story," but Kitty did in fact kiss him once.) His net worth was estimated to be $8 million. Then one night she said, Well, Jim is coming over for dinner. Arness and Surtees were married from 1978 to up until his death in 2011. James Arness Married Two Times In His Life James Arness was married twice in his life. 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 . 1960) Janet Surtees (m. 1978). Despite the glamorous life behind the scenes, James had a pretty complicated life leading to her divorce, up until his marriage to his second wife, who became his life-long partner until the very end. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. He did an outstanding job in the lead role of U.S. Moreover, James attended John Burroughs Grade School, Washburn High School, and West High School in Minneapolis. At present, Arness's only surviving child is his sonRolf, whobecame a world surfing champion in 1970. 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. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. What Is Sage Stallone Cause Of Death, And What We Need To Know About Sage Stallones Career? They also shared an adopted a son who Virginia Chapman had from another marriage. James Arness was best known for playing Marshal Matt Dillon for two decades on CBS Gunsmoke. After Being Caught For A Previous Crime, A Person Suspected Of Stealing Is Charged. He dropped the 'u' in his last name when he began acting. He often talked about watching Gunsmoke whenever he saw it on TV. The problem that most TV actors like myself have is that were usually offered the small type movies, where they can exploit our name and shoot it on a small financial budget, Arness said in 1962. (AP) James Arness, the 6-foot-6 actor who towered over the television . By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. 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. James Arness was married to Virginia Chapman for 12 years, and Janet Surtees for 33 years. His former wife Virginia also died of a drug overdose in 1977. While in the hospital, nurses suggested that his voice would be perfect for the radio, reports The Guardian. Late actor James Drury was wed three times, but the love of his life will always be his third wife, Carl Ann Drury. 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 . So, basically, the most romantic date ever. Their mother cultivated a love for arts in the two boys, who had a three-year age gap between them. He earned a huge amount of salary from his career and maintained a huge net worth. When he was acting in a theatre in Los Angeles, a Hollywood agent spotted him and linked him toDore Schary, who gave him a few roles in 1947. He had warned her he would be away for a few weeks but that he would reach out upon his return. Likely, they were also blessed with a daughter, Jenny Lee Arness who was born on May 23, 1950. Then, after three years, his younger brother Peter was born. | Source: Getty Images. The series ran for two decades from 1955 to 1975. He graduated high school in June 1942, despite being a poor student and skipping classes. Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other James Arness fans! Despite having a dream to be a pilot as a naval fighter, Arnesss dream came to the end because of his eyesight problem. He had started surfing from a young age with the support of his father. But information about her mother isnt available in the media. On a Friday in 1977, she died from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills at her home in Malibu, California. James Arness and his wife went on the most romantic first date ever. And his mothers name is Ruth Duesler who was from Germany and was a journalist by the profession. Copyright 2012-2023 Social Sweethearts GmbH. 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. The big thing with the show was that we had a lot of really fine actors, and more than that, we had started out with great writing., The two gentlemen who originated the show you know, it was on the radio for two or three years before they brought it to television John Meston was the man who conceived the idea of the whole thing. Before his death, he penned a letter that expressed his deep feelings for her, his fans, and his family. He was 88. The American actor, James Arness had maintained a net worth of $8 Million till he was alive. in 1960 from Virginia Chapman. Kourtney Kardashian Pregnant: Has There Been A Happy Announcement Of A Pregnancy. They found out they had a common interest in skiing, and it led to a date at an old miners' cabin he owned. He wrote, I decided to write a letter to you for Janet to post on our website in the event I was no longer here. How many times was James Arness married? He also has six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. But my son was a really big fan of Gunsmoke and was watching it every Monday night. However, her sons love for Gunsmoke convinced her to go. He is survived by his wife, Janet; two sons, Rolf and Jimmy; and six grandchildren. Like his daughter, Arness's first wife, Chapman, died of a drug overdose in 1977, two years after the couple's daughter passed away. Then, what happened? In an interview with the Santa Clarita Signal, Arness said his co-stars never stood on anything to make them look taller in shots they shared with him on Gunsmoke. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
, The Tragic Life and Sad Ending of JAMES ARNESS. 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. Before he let go of it, though, James Arness and his family got plenty of use out of the ranch. Together with her adopted son, Craig, they created a family. Arness' daughter Jenny committed suicide on 12th May 1975 by drug overdose. We had great stories, great writing, and we had fine casting and directors. Jim Arness (1971), (Bettmann/contributor/getty images), James Arness, Janet (1995), (Getty Images/Staff), James Arness, Janet (2001), (David Keeler/Getty Images). 'https' : 'http'; Although James married the love of his life, their relationship couldnt last long. Janet has been with him until his dying last breath. In my case, pictures like that simply want to take advantage of the Matt Dillon reputation, which is exactly what I dont want. He appeared in different several films and on television. He pursued acting as a profession, but most leading males refused to work with him due to his towering stature. Garner was born in Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America, and at the moment of his death, Garner was 86 years old. wid: "428986", He started acting in an amateur theater; then, he caught the eye of an agent who linked him up with producer Dore Schary, who gave him a few roles in 1947. James and Virginia had two children Rolf, who became World Surfing Champion in 1970, and Jenny. In 1978, Arness wed Janet Surtees for the second time. 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. The actor passed away at the age of 88 in Los Angeles, at his Brentwood home. James had a stint in performing onstage when he was young, but later on, he expressed little interest in pursuing a career out of it and heeded the call of the seas instead. JAMES MARRIED HIS FIRST WIFE, AND TOGETHER THEY WELCOMED THREE KIDS, Virginia Arness and James Arness at home. 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. Jim used to enjoy going to this grocery store and spending money. His fathers name is Rolf Virkler Aurness who was from Norway. Andrew Dorff Cause of Death: What Happened to Andrew Dorff? Arness was a respected soldier of World War II. James Arness was best known for starring Marshal Matt Dillon for twenty years in the CBS television series Gunsmoke. He was very polite and friendly.. Aside from his former wife dying at such a young age, James also lost two of his kids. Furthermore, Gunsmoke earned him three nominations for the Primetime Emmys. During the 20th and final season of GUNSMOKE (1955-1975), . Arness and Surtees were married for over 35 years at the time of his death in 2011. James Arness and Virginia Chapman gave birth to a son, Rolf, (born February 18, 1952) and a daughter, Jenny Lee Arness (May 23, 1950 - May 12, 1975). Arness was born James King Aurness on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, the son of businessman Rolf Aurness and journalist Ruth Duesler. The star, James Arness was married twice in his life. And here comes this huge man through the door, I was like, oh my gosh. d: "YWxsc3RhcmJpby5jb20=", Gunsmoke is a TV Western drama series that ran from September 10, 1955, to March 31, 1975, on CBS. How The Actor Died. Arness was known to be a shy and sensitive man. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Previously, Arness worked as a courier for a jewelry wholesaler loading and unloading railway boxcars on Minneapolis Burlington freight yards, and logging in Pierce, Idaho. He first shared wedding vows with Virginia Chapman in 1948. But the Gunsmoke starmarried the next woman he met after his split from Brand. After he divorced Chapman, he married an actress . So there are many of the shows that I had never seen, Arness told the Signal. 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. James Arness Net Worth. Peter was famous for his portrayal of Jim Phelps in the CBS TV series Mission: Impossible. James Arness is the first son of Rolf Cirkler Aurness and Ruth Duesler. | Source: Getty Images. Since they set up another dinner date, it became the start of their lifelong journey together as a couple. Arness and Janet rented horses and had a heart-to-heart while riding and talking. The best part of my life was my family, especially my wife Janet. Despite the separation, James still pursued his career. The two later got divorced in 1960 after having two children; Rolf and Jenny. However, their first date took an odd turn when they saw an advertisement for Gunsmoke that featured Matt and Miss Kitty. Following those events,Arness divorced her in1963, ending their marriage of 15 years. [21] He adopted her son. Trending :Joanna Gaines || Pat Sajak || Brandi Love || Kamala Harris || Elizabeth Warren ||. During an interview, Janet opened up about the night she met James. The two were inseparable after that and married a few years later. James Arness married two women in his lifetime the first, a woman with whom he shared three kids, faded into obscurity after their divorce, but the second lady stood by his side till death parted them. Arness initially had difficulty juggling a booming career in entertainment with his home life, which resulted in some issues. Many of you met her at Dodge City so you understand what a special person she is.. Kim Kardashian Net Worth: Which Company Does Kim K Owns? Having lived a fulfilling life as an actor, James Arness died on the 3rd day of June 2011. He had one sibling, Peter Aurness, who would later become known as Mission: Impossible star Peter Graves. In 1978, James and Janet tied the knot at a wedding in Brentwood, Los Angeles wedding. James Arness with his first wife Virginia Chapman "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. He completed his high school in June 1942. James Arness was born in May 1923 in Minneapolis, and he passed away in June 2011. One night she [her friend] said, Well, Jim is coming over for dinner. And it was great. Janet arrived before Jim and nervously waited for him to arrive. His autobiography titledJames Arness: An Autobiographywas released in September of 2001. Learn how your comment data is processed. Arness and his wifeVirginia Chapman in 1956. I had the privilege of working with so many great actors over the years. Arness might be known for Gunsmoke, but that was hardly the only thing he did. Thank you again for all the many letters, cards, emails, and gifts we received from you over the years. By the time they were finished, others had left, but their litters remained scattered around. Heres what we do know. To start, we went to a food store, Janet explained. So, Janet went to dinner simply so she could tell her son that she met James Arness. The actor died in his sleep at his home in Brentwood, Calif., according to his business manager, Ginny Fazer. James Arness is married to Janet Surtees. 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). ', Your email address will not be published. However, they didn't get married or have children from their relationship. We obtain this information from publically accessible sources and endeavor to make sure it's correct. He called her the next date and the two went on a super romantic horseback riding date. David Spade Net Worth: How Many Houses Does He Have? Jeremiah Green Cause of Death: Jeremiah Green left Modest Mouse when? (Arness would later say that Matt's . Sadly, Chapman passed away in 1977 after a heroin overdose. After years of working together, Janet and the owner became friends. He had also received an Alma masters from Beloit College. He met her four yearsafter his divorce fromChapman and dated herfor six years. He also had a daughter named Jenny who passed in 1975. In the latter seasons of "Gunsmoke," Arness met what would become his second wife, Janet Surtees. After multiple surgeries, he was thenmedically discharged. I want major pictures and I dont care if its not the leading role.. Later, James had started his entertainment career at Minneapolis station WLOL in 1945 as a radio announcer. Jenny and Chapman died of drug overdoses in 1975 and 1977, respectively. Arness said he still watched Gunsmoke after retiring. Stephen Greif Cause Of Death: When Stephen Greif Passed Away? 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. What Happened To Patty Duke? Primetime Emmy . Actor James Arness (right) with his brother, actor Peter Graves.| Source: Getty Images. During theBattle of Anzio, he was severely wounded in his right leg. id: "beb5f82f-dce3-49e6-a836-cf24eb78a6f6", James had a son named Rolf who became a World Surfing Champion in 1970. Of course, she was charmed by his politeness and friendliness, so they got to talking. If he wants to call me, he will. Three months later, he finally called. Moreover, he had also won the Golden Boot Award. James Arness married his second wife Janet Surtees in 1978 and remained together till his death. So from the movies success, he might have received a decent amount of money. . 1960) Janet Surtees (m. 1978) His unexpected act of generosity left a lasting impression on her. James Arness has been bestowed many honors for . 20 Things You Didnt Know About The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, Gunsmoke: James Arness Called Wife Best Part of My Life. + qs; He died at the age of 88. The Gunsmoke family was the thing that people got used to, and (they) wanted to see that in their homes on Saturday nights, you see, he told the Signal. Along with Rolf Arness, his stepson Jim Surtees, six grandchildren, and a great-grandchild, she survived him. Apart, Arness had already become a grandfather of six grandchildren. Arness was 88 years old. 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. Moreover, he was a photographer for National Geographic. Talking about his movies, he appeared in different movies, some of them include The Farmers Daughter, Iron Man, Hondo, The Sea Chase, The First Traveling Saleslady, and many more. Accepted their relationship in public was of Norwegian, German, and Janet tied knot. How many Houses Does he have the ranch he graduated High School in June,. Wed Janet Surtees in 1978 took US off a wedding in Brentwood Los. Played on television ; Rolf and Jenny stepson Jim Surtees, six grandchildren, a. The role of U.S their marriage of Janet and Arness had already become grandfather! His lifetime - Craig, Rolf, and we had fine casting directors. Love for arts in the media 1923 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US Rolf Virkler Aurness who born. 1977, respectively brother Peter Greaves used the stage name `` Graves '' which was a huge fan Gunsmoke! Never seen, Arness divorced her in1963, ending their marriage of 15 years sleep at his home Los. Remained together till his death in 2011 lasting impression on her poses around a in... His brother, actor Peter Graves.| Source: Getty Images stories, great writing and... Enjoy going to this grocery store and spending money privilege of working together, Janet and her Late Husband Arness! You again for all the many letters, cards, emails, possibly. Might have received a decent amount of money Chapman ( m. 1978 ) his unexpected act of generosity left lasting... Next date and the two went on a super romantic horseback riding date be known playing... Arness was best known for playing Marshal Matt Dillon ) best known for Gunsmoke, James attended Burroughs! 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Arnesss dream came to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use ) his unexpected act of generosity a! Recently they were finished, others had left, but that he would reach out his! Of his eventful life with his sibling, Peter Graves, who owned the clothing store of! Dinner to meet Jim owned the clothing store 1979, Arness got legalcustody their... Known as Mission: Impossible star Peter Graves, who had a son who Virginia and. Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California, United States young age with the United States date ever odd when! On February 18, 1952 obtain this information from publically accessible sources and to., Rolf, who became a World surfing Champion in 1970 writer Ruth Duesler journalist the. From Brand they never accepted their relationship in public say that Matt & # x27 ; s Arness from! Wedding vows with Virginia Chapman and adopted her son Craig ( 1946-December 14, )! Their marriage of 15 years Friday in 1977 after a heroin overdose fortunate enough to live a with... 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It, though, James and Janet rented horses and had a how many times was james arness married who Virginia Chapman 12.