James Arness Dies: Matt Dillon On “Gunsmoke” [Video]

The Washington Post reports this morning that James Arness, who presided over Dodge City as Marshal Matt Dillon of the two-decade-long series “Gunsmoke,” died June 3 at his home in Los Angeles at 88. He reportedly died in his sleep.

“What made us different from other westerns,” Mr. Arness told the Associated Press in 2002, “was the fact that ‘Gunsmoke’ wasn’t just action and a lot of shooting; they were character-study shows.”

Arness was a rugged 6 foot 7 inches tall, and was reportedly recommended for the role of Matt Dillon by his friend John Wayne, and was part of an ensemble that included Milburn Stone as Doc Adams; Amanda Blake as Kitty Russell — “Miss Kitty” ; and Dennis Weaver as Mr. Arness’s limping deputy sidekick, Chester Goode. After Weaver left the show in 1964, Ken Curtis joined the cast as the memorable comic character, Festus Haggen, (no relation to Cheryl Hagen).

James King Aurness — he dropped the “u” after arriving in Hollywood — was born May 23, 1923. His younger brother was actor Peter Graves, the star of “Mission Impossible” and “Airplane!” films. Graves died last year at 83.

(Washington Post)