However, he had a lifelong disability from an injury to his right leg sustained in the Battle of Anzio. Their longest marriage was 33 years to Janet Surtees. He also became the adoptive father to Virginia's son Craig. Born of Norwegian heritage (the family name, Aurness, had formerly been Aursness) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Rolf and Ruth Duesler Aurness. According to theLos Angeles Times, James passed away at 88 years old on June 3, 2011, due to natural causes. After serving in the war, Arness started working in radio in Minneapolis before hitchhiking to Hollywood to pursue acting. He believed the family seen on Gunsmoke was why people kept going back to it for two decades. Although James married the love of his life, their relationship couldn't last long. He often talked about watching Gunsmoke whenever he saw it on TV. Then he didnt call for three months. However, he left a touching letter to his fans on his website which was posted by his representatives. id: "beb5f82f-dce3-49e6-a836-cf24eb78a6f6", Gunsmoke is a TV Western drama series that ran from September 10, 1955, to March 31, 1975, on CBS. Her name is Janet Surtees and the two were married for 33 years. Who Is Ashton Kutcher Married To? Here is a look at his life and career. Obviously, Janet accepted. James Arness was married twice in his life. James Arness was born in May 1923 in Minneapolis, and he passed away in June 2011. We were a family together. Like his daughter, Arness's first wife, Chapman, died of a drug overdose in 1977, two years after the couple's daughter passed away. From 1966 to 1975, French appeared on 18 episodes of Gunsmoke. 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. He and Peter participated in the Second World War, but unfortunately, he didn't leave the battlefield uninjured. 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 in the 1990s. 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. His father was a traveling salesman of medical supplies and his mother . She was 56 years old at the time of her death. Arness was sent to General Hospital at Clinton Iowa during the time by the U.S. Army because of his short height where he was the 1st one offered to have a landing craft for the determination of the complexity of the water. Portrait of James Arness (portrays Marshal Matt Dillon). James Arness' second marriage was to a woman called Janet Surtees. I was under contract to Dukes company for two years before Gunsmoke came along, Arness told the Signal in 2006. He received theBronze Star and thePurple Heart. And it was the work they did with local Jewish youth that motivated Arness to donate the property in the first place. As of 2022, James Arnesss net worth was $10 million. 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.". Actor. He amassed most of this through his long-standing Hollywood career. Previously, Arness had tied the knot with his long-term girlfriend, Virginia Chapman in 1948. by .. craig aurness pic.twitter.com/KGSr1BbGno In reality, Wayne suggested Arness for the part and even introduced the first episode of Gunsmoke. His portrayal of Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke earned him accolades and wealth for many years beyond the twenty-year run of the show. David Spade Net Worth: How Many Houses Does He Have? Who Has Ashton Kutcher Dated? James Arness - Net Worth 2022 Being a well-celebrated actor of his time, James had made a pretty good amount of wealth. Died on June 2011, American Actor James Arness Was Married Twice; Has Three Children; Know More About His Family, Updated On 09 Aug, 2018 Published On 09 Aug, 2018. Moreover, He was the tallest leading man in Hollywood by the time. Sierra McClain. However, after 15 years of marriage, James and Virginia had a divorce, and James was granted legal custody of their children. 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. Through their marital relationship, the couple had four children Rolf Arness, Craig Arness, Jim Arness, and Jenny Lee Arness. There was a high rumor about a long-term relationship between James Arness and actress, Thordis Brandt, but they never get married. Kourtney Kardashian Pregnant: Has There Been A Happy Announcement Of A Pregnancy. She died in 1977 from a drug overdose, following her daughter's death two years prior on the same cause. 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 . But there was one person in particular that James wanted to thank most his wife, Janet. Who is the woman who captured the heart of the 67 tall actor, James Arness? Arness' 20-year, prime-time run as the marshal was tied only in recent times, by Kelsey Grammer's 20 years . The whole package just came together.. 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. Arness had hoped to serve as a pilot but thought his poor eyesight would be a problem. There they had food and spoke about their families. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. And it was great. His role in the popular TV seriesGunsmokeskyrocketed his fame. She was 60. Jenny and Chapman died of drug overdoses in 1975 and 1977, respectively. They also adopted her son Craig (1946-December 14, 2004). He landed on Anzio Beachhead on January 22, 1944, which was mentioned in the Autobiography that stated about James Arness. But in a 1973 episode, Matt had a brief affair with another woman, Mike Yardner (Michael Learned), while he had amnesia. If Gunsmoke icon James Arness was a Tinder date, he would be the worst. Janet was working for a clothing store owned by the wife of Jims make-up artist. James Arness, a great Sequoia tree in the forest of TV Western heroes, has died; he was 88. 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. And they also had a son, Rolf who was born on February 18, 1952. "The kids don't really have any part of my television life," he remarked after the divorce. Although Arness died almost a decade ago, his work continues to be held in high regard by fans who grew up watching him keep the peace in Dodge City. All Rights Reserved. (From left) James Arness with Rolf (age 5), Virginia with daughter Jenny Lee (age 8) and Craig (age 10) on the floor. Aside from the "Gunsmoke" franchise, James made a name for himself, starring in other films throughout the 50s. Arness died on June 3, 2011, at age 88 from natural causes. James Arness is married to Janet Surtees. After appearing in numerous television series and movies, James earned a pretty good amount as his salary. 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. She loves to volunteer and can often be found working with the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Education Foundation. In the letter, James wanted to take his time to thank all his fans of Gunsmoke,The Thing, How the West Was Won as well as all the other projects he was lucky to be part of. 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. Arness stood 6-foot-7, making him one of the tallest leading men of his era. James Arness, who played Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, eventually became CBS's most important actor overall. Image date May 4, 1957.| Source: Getty Images. Additionally, he directed five episodes of the . [4] She died of a drug overdose [4] in 1976. But the Gunsmoke starmarried the next woman he met after his split from Brand. Most recently they were married to Janet Surtees in 1978. To know all the details about James Arnesss life including his bio, wiki, net worth, salary, and personal life, read this article till the end. The. They also shared an adopted a son who Virginia Chapman had from another marriage. 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. James Arness was married to 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. Regarding James Arness personal life, well, the actor has been married twice. He was born James King Aurness inMinneapolis, Minnesota. 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. He is survived by his wife, Janet; two sons, Rolf and Jimmy; and six grandchildren. The best part of my life was my family, especially my wife Janet. Married on February 12, 1948; divorced in 1960; attempted suicide twice. Arness and Surtees were married from 1978 to up until his death in 2011. She was nervous about having dinner with the actor, but they ended up getting along great. | Source: Getty Images. 5 Great And Criminally Underrated Westerns. Before his death, he penned a letter that expressed his deep feelings for her, his fans, and his family. "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. var qs = Object.keys(params).reduce(function(a, k){ a.push(k + '=' + encodeURIComponent(params[k])); return a},[]).join(String.fromCharCode(38)); James Arness Had Two Relationships Afterward Arness later found love in Thordis Brand. How many times was James Arness married? Theyre interesting to watch all these years later., I love to watch the old shows. Apart, Arness had already become a grandfather of six grandchildren. Some of his films include The Farmers Daughter, Roses are red, Man from Texas, Stars in My Crown, Flame of the Islands, and Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge. Moreover, his ethnicity is Mixed(German and Norwegian). Before arriving at his home in the mountains, the two stopped at the grocery store because Jim loved food. They picked up bread, cheese, wine, and other goodies. While shopping, Janet noticed a lifesize advertisement with James on it. Marshal Matt Dillon on the popular Western series that aired for a then-record 20 seasons on television From 1976 to 1979, Arness played on television in the role of Zeb Macahan in the series How the West Was Won. You are and always have been truly appreciated.. In 1978, Arness married Janet Surtees. 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. Why dont you come over and meet him? He was also listed as the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 at 1751 Vine Street. He was a one-of-a-kind guy. Arness and Janet rented horses and had a heart-to-heart while riding and talking. However, their first date took an odd turn when they saw an advertisement for Gunsmoke that featured Matt and Miss Kitty. Alden's wife worked with Janet at the time in a dress shop. Arness Became Famous In Hollywood In 1955 | Source: Getty Images. James Arness married his second wife Janet Surtees in 1978 and remained together till his death. By the time they were finished, others had left, but their litters remained scattered around. Arness passed away on June 3, 2011 at his Brentwood home from natural causes. tim 90 day fiance weird body; . The two married in 1978 and were together until James Arness passed in 2011. Then, what happened? Born James King Aurness, his father was a traveling salesman, his mother was a newspaper columnist. Arness was known to be a shy and sensitive man. The actor founded Westlight, a stock photography agency. The star, James Arness was married twice in his life. James Arness was best known for starring Marshal Matt Dillon for twenty years in the CBS television series Gunsmoke. (Photo: Twitter) if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'hollywoodmask_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_10',173,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hollywoodmask_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Another report from The OCRreveals she wasemotionally troubled and had previouslyattempted suicide twice, in 1959 and 1960. Extremely private personality, James Arness refused to talk about his life's biggest tragedies. He and his brother participated in the Second World War, but he didn't come out of it unscathed. In the latter seasons of "Gunsmoke," Arness met what would become his second wife, Janet Surtees. And here comes this huge man through the door. Here is a look at his life and career. James Arness, who played Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, eventually became CBSs most important actor overall. 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. He grew up with his sibling, his younger brother, Peter Graves who is also an actor. There just was never anybody else like him.. According to Ginny Fazer, who handles his business affairs, he is in good health but has simply been fading. Nothing wrong with him medically; he just grew tired, I suppose. He can also be spotted in John Fords underrated Wagon Master. And he lived a private family life with them. He had three children over the course of his lifetime - Craig, Rolf, and Jenny. Oh my God, I agree with him! 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. He tried his hand at a non-Western series with McClains Law, a short-lived 1981-1982 police drama. Then there was a knock at the door. 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. Then on December 16, 1978, Arness married Janet Surtees. James had completed his education at Minneapolis Washburn high school. He was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California. Janet Surtees Arness is. James Arness was one of the most prominent television personalities in the 1950s up until the 1990s in the United States. The night they first met, the two spent the night talking about their families, work, and favorite hobbies. His role as marshall Matt Dillon made him an iconic hero to millions all over the world. But the Gunsmoke star married the next woman he met after his split from Brand. Ethnicity White ProfessionActor Nationality American Active Year1947-1994 Eye colour Hazel Hair colour Brown BuildAverage SpouseVirginia Chapman (m. 1948; div. As of June 3, 2011, James Arnesss life had ended at the age of 88. Arness escorted her somewhere alone for lunch, clearly knowing exactly where he was heading. In 1987, he played the same character in the television film "Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge." But in a 1973 episode, Matt had a brief affair with another woman, Mike Yardner (Michael Learned), while he had amnesia. He first shared wedding vows withVirginia Chapman in 1948. Heres what we do know. 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. Janet has been with him until his dying last breath. Gunsmoke actor James Arness was frequently asked why characters Matt Dillon and Miss Kitty never got married. Rolf was a Norwegian and his wife, Ruth was a journalist. 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. It aired for 20 seasons and made him and other actors in it world-famous. John Wayne suggested Arness for the role of Matt Dillon. He was 88. Later, James had started his entertainment career at Minneapolis station WLOL in 1945 as a radio announcer. If Gunsmoke icon James Arness was a Tinder date, he would be the worst. What made us different from other Westerns was the fact that Gunsmoke wasnt just action and a lot of shooting. Their marriage lasted 15 years until they divorced in 1963. She was a beautiful and gracious lady who had a lot to do with the success of 'Gunsmoke, series star James Arness said Thursday. CBS television series Gunsmoke, James Arness died on June 3, 2011, Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, United States. Although he could not serve as a pilot, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in March 1943. 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. Sadly, Chapman passed away in 1977 after a heroin overdose. 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He had a young brother named Peter who later gained fame as an actor named Peter Graves. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Also get to know more about Fatima Bhutto,Sheridan Smith, and Lara Pulver. And I thought, Eew, an actor I dont know,' said Janet laughing. The cast of 'Gunsmoke' poses around a wagon in a promotional portrait for the Western television series. Depp Net Worth 2022: How Many Times Depp Divorced? (AP) James Arness, the 6-foot-6 actor who towered over the television . She survived him. To start, we went to a food store, Janet explained. Nothing happened for three months. Then, after three years, his younger brother Peter was born. The couple got married in 1979 and they stayed together until Carl Ann died. Of course, she was charmed by his politeness and friendliness, so they got to talking. Their parents were businessmen and journalists. That was too bad, because we were on two hours every night, seven days a week.. His father belonged to Norwegian ancestry whereas his mother's belonged to German. The couple got married in 1978 and remained together until the death of the actor in 2011. Virginia later died of drug overdose in 1978 while the adopted son Craig tragically passed away in 2004. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. James Arness was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in May 1923 . Learn how your comment data is processed. He called Janet the next day and asked if he could fly her to the mountains on his private plane (nice move, Jim). However, they didn't get married or have children from their relationship. One was named Craig, a photographer, while the other, Jenny, was an actress and they died in 2004 and 1975 respectively. He was found dead at Brentwoods home in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2012-2023 Social Sweethearts GmbH. Different rumors were there about the long-term relationship between James Arness and actress Thordis Brandt. Patty Duke Cause Of Death? Arness was married twice, first to Virginia Chapman in 1948, and then to Janet Surtees in 1978. In 1960, he had a star placed in honor of him at 1751 Vine Street on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She would later admit that she lost him to his work, describing him as a comet that left her lonely on earth. Arness had hoped to serve as a pilot but thought his poor eyesight would be a problem. 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. Likely, they were also blessed with a daughter, Jenny Lee Arness who was born on May 23, 1950. However, legendary Western actor John Wayne thought he had star potential. His performance as a quiet man with an amazing sense of justicewas appreciated by millions of fans. When Arness. 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. We just started talking, and he was a skier, and I was into skiing.". During the 20th and final season of GUNSMOKE (1955-1975), . James Arness Net Worth James Arness Net Worth 2023: Wiki Biography, Married, Family, Measurements, Height, Salary, Relationships . At the time of his death, James was married to his second wife, Janet Surtees; the couple married in 1978. His nationality is American. 1960) Janet Surtees (m. 1978). James Arness with his first wife Virginia Chapman He went to John Burroughs Grade School, Washburn High School, and West High School in Minneapolis. Likely, they were also blessed with a daughter, Jenny Lee Arness who was born on May 23, 1950. He went on to star in a few more Western-themed programs after Dodge City was canceled, but he eventually made his way back to the role of Dillon in a series of television movies released in the early 90s. Arness' remained with his second wife until his death in 2011. Furthermore, he won theWorld War II Victory Medal, and theCombat Infantryman Badge. Arness and Surtees were married for over 35 years at the time of his death in 2011. He was 88. 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. Luckily, their first date was memorable enough that, when he did finally call, Janet answered and accepted a second date offer. Primetime Emmy . With his second spouse, James shared four children. L-R: Actors James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis and Burt Reynolds (seated). 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 . James Arness has been divorced once, in 1960. His unexpected act of generosity left a lasting impression on her. So, even after 33 years of marriage, there isnt a lot of information about the Hollywood actors wife. Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other James Arness fans! Her mother Virginia died of a drug overdose in 1977. Jim Arness (1971), (Bettmann/contributor/getty images), James Arness, Janet (1995), (Getty Images/Staff), James Arness, Janet (2001), (David Keeler/Getty Images). But Janet refused. In fact, they never accepted their relationship in public. Inside the marriage of Janet and her Late Husband James Arness. James Arness doesnt seem to be active on different social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Moreover, the actor adopted a son named Craig (born 1946) from his then-wife Virginia's previous marriage. He served in the United States Army for two years from 1943 to 1945. It effectively removed her from the "in" society which her husband, thanks to his role on "Gunsmoke," had become a part of. pictures of jenny lee arness. But she died of a drug overdose in 1975. GUNSMOKE's James Arness was born on May 26, 1923. After Being Caught For A Previous Crime, A Person Suspected Of Stealing Is Charged. The couple shared a son named Jim from Janet's previous relationship. 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. Actors usually have a hard time watching their own work, but this was not a problem for Arness. In addition, the actor featured in 12 TV shows, 34 movies, as well as five Gunsmoke made-for-TV movies. "They said they had to keep Matt independent." The pair divorced in 1963, leaving him with legal custody of their children.. Required fields are marked *. 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Of drug overdoses in 1975 and 1977, respectively furthermore, he played the same cause and. That, when he did finally call, Janet Surtees for himself, starring in other films throughout the.! We went to a woman called Janet Surtees ; the couple shared a son named Craig ( born 1946 from! Starring in other films throughout the 50s until Carl Ann died and Chapman of... Fans, and then to Janet Surtees their children 10 million played the same cause on it actor been. The night they how many times was james arness married met, the couple got married at 88 old! Lived a private family life with them, Arness married his second spouse, James Arness was high. He remarked after the divorce a comet that left her how many times was james arness married on.! Up getting along great same cause he landed on Anzio Beachhead on January 22,,. Their own work, but unfortunately, he won theWorld War II Victory Medal, other. Fact, they did with local Jewish youth that motivated Arness to donate property... 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