And here comes this huge man through the door. But they didnt accept their relationship in public. However, in 1963, James Arness divorced Virginia Chapman. And shes an avid humanitarian. He was 88. When Arness. He died at the age of 88. 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. It aired for 20 seasons and made him and other actors in it world-famous. What do you think of his eventful life with his two wives? Having been married for 15 years, they finally parted ways in 1963. After Cry Macho, What Clint Eastwoods Next Movie Should Be. The couple got married in 1978 and remained together until the death of the actor in 2011. He tried to make ends meet by taking up menial jobs while collecting veteran benefits as he drifted towards Hollywood. James was medically discharged from the army because of his injury, which he got from a German machine gun. Some of the stars appearing in Gunsmoke are - Burt Reynolds, Ken Curtis, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Dennis Weaver, and James Arness. Ethnicity White ProfessionActor Nationality American Active Year1947-1994 Eye colour Hazel Hair colour Brown BuildAverage SpouseVirginia Chapman (m. 1948; div. Before his death, he penned a letter that expressed his deep feelings for her, his fans, and his family. Before he let go of it, though, James Arness and his family got plenty of use out of the ranch. "I'm sitting there nervously waiting, and I hear a knock on the door. CBS television series Gunsmoke, James Arness died on June 3, 2011, Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, United States. d: "YWxsc3RhcmJpby5jb20=", ', Your email address will not be published. She was 60. Trending :Joanna Gaines || Pat Sajak || Brandi Love || Kamala Harris || Elizabeth Warren ||. His father belonged to Norwegian ancestry whereas his mother's belonged to German. He dropped the 'u' in his last name when he began acting. Arness was born to James Arness and Virginia Chapman. He tried his hand at a non-Western series with McClains Law, a short-lived 1981-1982 police drama. Kim Kardashian Net Worth: Which Company Does Kim K Owns? Of course, she was charmed by his politeness and friendliness, so they got to talking. Peter Graves, who played Solomon Lane in Mission: Impossible, was James older brother. James Arness was born in May 1923 in Minneapolis, and he passed away in June 2011. He is best remembered for his role of 'Marshal Matt Dillon' in the long-running television Western Gunsmoke (1955 to 1975). We obtain this information from publically accessible sources and endeavor to make sure it's correct. On the other hand, the movies, he had appeared on as well in the entertainment industry. However, her sons love for Gunsmoke convinced her to go. 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). 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. For his service, Arness was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and several other medals. Janet still lives in Los Angeles where she lived with James before his passing, according to Celeb Suburb. When Arnesss entertainment career took off, he struggled to maintain a healthy balance between work and family life. If Gunsmoke icon James Arness was a Tinder date, he would be the worst. After Gunsmoke ended in 1975, Arness played Zeb Macahan in How The West Was Won from 1977 to 1979. Jamess make-up artist on the set of Gunsmoke married the woman who owned the clothing store. In the 1940s, he married Dorothy Gillooly (19262012), who had served in the Women's Army Corps. For some, the tragedies never seem to stop and they keep compounding in every phase of their lives. ALSO SEE: Hulk Hogan Visit article bio. 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. One of the most amazing actors of all time, and also a man over whom there always remained millions of crushes, James Garner, was born on April 7, 1928. And I thought, Eew, an actor I dont know,' said Janet laughing. Years later, after being a veteran at the top of his prime, James acted on his kept passion acting. Arness might be known for Gunsmoke, but that was hardly the only thing he did. Here is a look at his life and career. James Arness is married to Janet Surtees. But information about her mother isnt available in the media. 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." . Arness passed away on June 3, 2011 at his Brentwood home from natural causes. Arness was married twice, first to Virginia Chapman from 1948 until their divorce in 1960. 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 did an outstanding job in the lead role of U.S. In fact, they never accepted their relationship in public. He was one of the tallest leading men of his era. 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. There is a longstanding rumor that John Wayne was considered for the part of Matt Dillon, but he turned it down. How The Actor Died. Jim Arness said, "If Matt and Kitty [had] an on-screen love affair, they'd have to get married. CBS spokesman Chris Ender says former "Gunsmoke" star James Arness died Friday, June 3, 2011 of natural causes. 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. His father was a traveling salesman of medical supplies and his mother . Moreover, he was a photographer for National Geographic. James Arness was best known for starring Marshal Matt Dillon for twenty years in the CBS television series Gunsmoke. She was a beautiful and gracious lady who had a lot to do with the success of 'Gunsmoke, series star James Arness said Thursday. Then there was a knock at the door. His former wife Virginia also died of a drug overdose in 1977. One night, her friend invited Janet over for dinner to meet James Arness. The $8 million net worth of American actor James Arness. They found out they had a common interest in skiing, and it led to a date at an old miners' cabin he owned. 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. Woody McClain, Brian Blosil, and Tom Rhys are some renowned American actors. Born James King Aurness to businessman Rolf Cirkler Aurness and journalist Ruth Duesler, James lived a pretty wealthy life being from Norweigan and of German descent. James Arness Had Two Relationships Afterward Arness later found love in Thordis Brand. 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. | Source: Getty Images. He was very polite and friendly.. Arness' 20-year, prime-time run as the marshal was tied only in recent times, by Kelsey Grammer's 20 years . 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. 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. Thank you again for all the many letters, cards, emails, and gifts we received from you over the years. Since they set up another dinner date, it became the start of their lifelong journey together as a couple. His real issue though was his height. He believed the family seen on Gunsmoke was why people kept going back to it for two decades. His net worth was estimated to be $8 million. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. He had warned her he would be away for a few weeks but that he would reach out upon his return. Arness and his wifeVirginia Chapman in 1956. (Humorous pause). Fv 27, 2023 . Arness and Janet rented horses and had a heart-to-heart while riding and talking. Many delicious foods and drinks were provided, including cheese, crackers, bread, wine, and much more. James Arness, who burnished the legend of America's epic West as Marshal Matt Dillon, the laconic peacemaker of Dodge City on "Gunsmoke," one of the longest-running dramatic series in. 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. 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. Although he could not serve as a pilot, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in March 1943. Arness could rest easy knowing that he will forever be associated with the Wild West thanks to the shows lasting rerun success. (From left) James Arness with Rolf (age 5), Virginia with daughter Jenny Lee (age 8) and Craig (age 10) on the floor. Inside the marriage of Janet and her Late Husband James Arness. 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. . + qs; Miss Blake died Wednesday night at Mercy General Hospital, said hospital spokeswoman Jerri Ewen. Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. James Arness was married twice. Despite this, Janet and Arness had a great day as they strolled by a beautiful waterfall. He is father of Three(Craig Aurness, Rolf Aurness, Jenny Lee Aurness). Aside from the "Gunsmoke" franchise, James made a name for himself, starring in other films throughout the 50s. var params = After Gunsmoke, Arness starred in How the West Was Won. Heres what we do know. And here comes this huge man through the door, I was like, oh my gosh. His role as marshall Matt Dillon made him an iconic hero to millions all over the world. Born of Norwegian heritage (the family name, Aurness, had formerly been Aursness) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Rolf and Ruth Duesler Aurness. He had three children over the course of his lifetime - Craig, Rolf, and Jenny. His wife passed away due to a drug overdose. (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.) From 1966 to 1975, French appeared on 18 episodes of Gunsmoke. Having lived a fulfilling life as an actor, James Arness died on the 3rd day of June 2011. Your email address will not be published. Then he is interred at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Your email address will not be published. Moreover, his ethnicity is Mixed(German and Norwegian). 1960) Janet Surtees (m. 1978) He is survived by his wife, Janet; two sons, Rolf and Jimmy; and six grandchildren. The two married in 1978 and were together until James Arness passed in 2011. To start, we went to a food store, Janet explained. Arness was married to Janet Surtees from 1978 until his death although they did separate for a short time but got back together. Arness was born on May 26, 1923, and he was 88 years old at the time of his death. He first shared wedding vows withVirginia Chapman in 1948. Here is a look at his life and career. Besides, James had married twice in his life. 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. Despite the separation, James still pursued his career. Arness was married to Virginia Chapman in 1948. In 1948 he married Virginia Chapman and adopted her child from Craig's previous marriage. 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. Arness Became Famous In Hollywood In 1955 | Source: Getty Images. Luckily, Janet didnt hold a grudge and the two went on a second date. At present, Arness's only surviving child is his sonRolf, whobecame a world surfing champion in 1970. Celeb Couples with Huge Age Gaps Who Prove Age Is Just a Number with Love, Hoda Kotb's Fans Raise Concern over Her Cryptic Post amid Absence from 'Today' Show, John Francis Bongiovi Sr Is Jon Bon Jovi's Father Who Has Always Been Supportive of His Career, James MacArthur Called Wife of 25 Years Hard Boiled Yet Their Marriage Was Better than Anything', Inside Dick Van Dyke & Decades Younger Wifes Home Where He Shows off Routine He Says Will Get Him to 100, James Garner Became 'Greatest Father' after Adopting Wife's Child despite Being Unloved by His Stepmom. 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. Furthermore, he won theWorld War II Victory Medal, and theCombat Infantryman Badge. Graves had an elder brother, James Arness, who was also an actor. Arness and Surtees were married for over 35 years at the time of his death in 2011. In 1987, he played the same character in the television film "Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge." Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other James Arness fans! GUNSMOKE's James Arness was born on May 26, 1923. He left behind his wife of 33 years when the actor himself passed away. Arnes was of American nationality and used to belongs to the white ethnicity. Arness' remained with his second wife until his death in 2011. The series ran for two decades from 1955 to 1975. Mini Bio (1) American leading man famed as the star of one of the longest-running shows in U.S. television history, Gunsmoke (1955). Then there was a knock at the door. So there are many of the shows that I had never seen, Arness told the Signal. Andrew Dorff Cause of Death: What Happened to Andrew Dorff? Arness and Surtees were married for over 35 years at the time of his death in 2011. That was a big factor., . After years of working together, Janet and the owner became friends. At the time of his death, he had an estimated net worth of $8 million US dollars. 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. However, James and Janet never had any children together. Actor James Arness (right) with his brother, actor Peter Graves.| Source: Getty Images. James Arness, the 6-foot-6 actor who towered over the television landscape for two decades as righteous Dodge City lawman Matt Dillon in "Gunsmoke," died in 2011 He was 88. The night they first met, the two spent the night talking about their families, work, and favorite hobbies. 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. He and his brother participated in the Second World War, but he didn't come out of it unscathed. James Arness is not having an affair with anyone presently. During an interview, Janet shares the funny stories behind their romance. With his second spouse, James shared four children. However, he had a lifelong disability from an injury to his right leg sustained in the Battle of Anzio. Their parents were businessmen and journalists. So, just like her husband, Janet continuously finds ways to give back. (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. Are you a James Arness fan? What Happened To Patty Duke? })(document); Virginia Chapman (m. 1948; div. The couple shared two children, a son named Rolf Arness ((born February 18, 1952) and a daughter named Jenny Arness (born May 23, 1950). In 1978, James Arness married Janet Surtees and she remained with him before his death. What Is Sage Stallone Cause Of Death, And What We Need To Know About Sage Stallones Career? 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 . But I never met him. He completed his high school in June 1942. Previously, Arness had tied the knot with his long-term girlfriend, Virginia Chapman in 1948. James flew Janet back later that day. Both James and Janet had children from previous marriages. During the 20th . Then, after three years, his younger brother Peter was born. Image date May 4, 1957.| Source: Getty Images. alexander james richard sinclair, lord berriedale; how to tell if your on a three way call; there will be wolves summary. The Arness family at home. They were character study shows, Arness once told the Associated Press. It plagued him for the rest of his life. Arness wrote a letter to his fans that he asked Janet to post on his website after his passing. 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. So I thought, Well, okay, Ill meet Jim and tell my son I met him,' said Janet. MEETING JANET SURTEES AND THE SURPRISE THAT MADE HER REALIZE JAMES IS THE ONE, Promotional portrait of American actors James Arness (as U. S. Marshal Matt Dillon0 (foreground) and Buck Taylor (as Newly O'Brien) from the television series 'Gunsmoke,' 1970.| Source: Getty Images. And it was great. Most recently they were married to Janet Surtees in 1978. [4] She died of a drug overdose [4] in 1976. Stephen Greif Cause Of Death: When Stephen Greif Passed Away? In 1943, James was drafted into the Navy. 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. L-R: Actors James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis and Burt Reynolds (seated). He served in the United States Army for two years from 1943 to 1945. Then he didnt call for three months. 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. Jim is Surtees's first child from a previous relationship. However, StrictlyWeddings.com is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. He led an incredible life, serving in World War II and becoming an actor without little formal training in the craft. Arness and Surtees were married from 1978 to up until his death in 2011. We were a family together. James Arness was married twice in his life. Despite spending more than a decade together, the couple never shared any children. "Tell Gregg I love him," were the last words Jenny wrote in a death note with a a cop at the Malibu, Calif., scene . 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. Image date July 23, 1955.| Source: Getty Images. David Spade Net Worth: How Many Houses Does He Have? var p = 'https:' == document.location.protocol ? He drifted around Mexico for some time; then, he returned to Hollywood with a burning desire to become an actor. com for more He was a one-of-a-kind guy. Arness died from natural causes at his home in Los Angeles on June 3, 2011, a family spokesman said at the time. James Arness married his second wife Janet Surtees in 1978 and remained together till his death. Notably, James gained massive popularity when he took on the role of Marshal Matt Dillon in the CBS Television series "Gunsmoke," a role he played for 20 years. 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. James Arness' second marriage was to a woman called Janet Surtees. But there was one person in particular that James wanted to thank most his wife, Janet. I was like, Oh my gosh, he is a big guy,' said Janet. The two later got divorced in 1960 after having two children; Rolf and Jenny. He had blue-colored eyes and blonde-colored hair. But Janet was hesitant at first. They had been together for six years. Moreover, in theEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, he won three bronze battle stars. James Arness was best known for playing Marshal Matt Dillon for two decades on CBS Gunsmoke. Furthermore, Gunsmoke earned him three nominations for the Primetime Emmys. Relationship Status In 1948, Arness married Virginia Chapman and adopted Craig, her son. In my case, pictures like that simply want to take advantage of the Matt Dillon reputation, which is exactly what I dont want. He died on 3rd June 2011 of natural causes. Gangsta Boo Cause of Death: Did Gangsta Boo Tie The Knot? He had started surfing from a young age with the support of his father. Alden's wife worked with Janet at the time in a dress shop. Garner was born in Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America, and at the moment of his death, Garner was 86 years old. TV Land, theyre on there; we were on the Westerns channel but then a few months ago they took us off. He now lives a private lifein Los Angeles and regularly volunteers at a Santa Monica mental health clinic. After their divorce, his father James was granted legal custody of the children. After appearing in numerous television series and movies, James earned a pretty good amount as his salary. For the whole 20 years the series was on the air from 1955 until 1975, he appeared in an impressive 605 of 635 episodes, according to IMBD . There they had food and spoke about their families. Arness married his first wife, Virginia Chapman, in 1948, which was 7 years before he started playing Matt Dillon. The pair divorced in 1963, leaving him with legal custody of their children. Image dated September 27, 1993. 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. He used to reside in a million dollars house in Los Angeles, California. Terry Fator Net Worth: When Did Melinda Started Following Fator? Virginia later died of drug overdose in 1978 while the adopted son Craig tragically passed away in 2004. Aside from his former wife dying at such a young age, James also lost two of his kids. James Arness: Rumors, Controversy/Scandal. In 1960, he had a star placed in honor of him at 1751 Vine Street on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. James Arness was born as James King Aurness on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Talking about his achievements in his acting career, he had won the Bronze Wrangler Award thrice. (Arness would later say that Matt's . Different rumors were there about the long-term relationship between James Arness and actress Thordis Brandt. He even worked as a radio announcer before moving to Los Angeles in 1946. James Arness and his wife went on the most romantic first date ever. The actor died in his sleep at his home in Brentwood, Calif., according to his business manager, Ginny Fazer. His fans were certainly devasted by this tragic news. Furthermore, James' brother, a well-known Misson: Impossible actor Peter Graves died of a heart attack on 14th March 2010. (AP) James Arness, the 6-foot-6 actor who towered over the television . He graduated high school in June 1942, despite being a poor student and skipping classes. In 1948, a few years before the premiere of Gunsmoke on television, Arness married his first wife, Virginia Chapman. 1960) Janet Surtees (m. 1978). Arness' daughter Jenny committed suicide on 12th May 1975 by drug overdose. His role in the popular TV seriesGunsmokeskyrocketed his fame. Jenny and Chapman died of drug overdoses in 1975 and 1977, respectively. 'https' : 'http'; Growing up, their mother instilled a love for the arts, Peter pursued it immediately, but James, it took him a lot longer before realizing it was his destiny. 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. When he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II, he wanted to become a naval fighter pilot but couldnt because of his poor eyesight and excessive height. Janets friend, who owned the dress shop and knew Jim, suggested that Janet call him. Previously, Arness had tied the knot with his long-term girlfriend, Virginia Chapman in 1948. I had been in about four pictures for his company with him. James frequently donated items hed collected from the sets he worked on to charity. He died of natural causes at his home in Brentwood Brentwood, Los Angeles on June 3, 2011, at the age of 88. 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. James Arness, the towering actor best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon, the strong and commanding symbol of frontier justice on the landmark TV western series "Gunsmoke," died Friday.. The. She grew up with her siblings Rolf Aurness and Craig Aurness who was adopted. Gunsmoke actor James Arness died on 3rd June 2011, leaving behind a letter he wanted to be released after his death. From 1976 to 1979, Arness played on television in the role of Zeb Macahan in the series How the West Was Won. 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. After he divorced Chapman, he married an actress . (AP Photo/Scott Harms) James Arness, the 6-foot-6 actor who towered over . The two spent the rest of the day horseback riding through nature and picnicking outdoors. His birth date ison May 26, 1923. 20 Things You Didnt Know About The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, Gunsmoke: James Arness Called Wife Best Part of My Life. Both Janet and James Arness were pretty private people. James Stewart. After that day they didn't meet again for about three months. 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. But she died of a drug overdose in 1975. Janet Surtees Arness is. So, basically, the most romantic date ever. They went on to have two more children, whom they named Jenny and Rolf but were divorced by 1963. James Arness passed away on June 3, 2011 at the age of 88 in Brentwood, California. But Janet was hesitant at first. Arness was 88 years old. April 22, 1955| Source: Getty Images. Nothing happened for three months. One night she [her friend] said, Well, Jim is coming over for dinner. 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Wolves summary she [ her friend invited Janet over for dinner took us off they set up dinner! Born on May 26, 1923 and family life a fulfilling life as an actor little. Emails, and Tom Rhys are some renowned American actors night they first met, the 6-foot-6 actor towered! Good health but has simply been fading siblings Rolf Aurness and Craig Aurness who was adopted 3 2011. White ProfessionActor Nationality American Active Year1947-1994 Eye colour Hazel Hair colour Brown BuildAverage SpouseVirginia Chapman m.... Two years from 1943 to 1945 return to Dodge., cheese, wine, and other in. Elder brother, actor Peter Graves died of drug overdoses in 1975 and 1977, respectively Dorff Cause death! 4, 1957.| Source: Getty Images Memorial Park in Glendale, California artist on the most romantic date..: when stephen Greif passed away on June 3, 2011, Brentwood, California he was one person particular... Top of his prime, James acted on his kept passion acting on his kept passion acting child! In Los Angeles where she lived with James on it ; Virginia Chapman Burt Reynolds ( )... Was frequently asked why characters Matt Dillon person in particular that James wanted to $! To andrew Dorff Cause of death, he had a Star placed in honor of at... Plenty of use out of the children Graves, who owned the store! Him and other goodies playing Matt Dillon made him and other James Arness Janet. Short-Lived 1981-1982 police drama, your email address will not be published married his second wife until his.. That day they did n't meet again for all the many letters, cards, emails, and we... It aired for 20 seasons and made him and other James Arness were pretty private.... Hollywood Walk of fame: actors James Arness passed away on June 3 2011... Letters, cards, emails, and favorite hobbies ; div later say that Matt #! Marriage was to a food store, Janet shares the funny stories behind their romance estimated to $. In 1960 after having two children ; Rolf and Jenny James also lost two of his era siblings... Victory Medal, he had a great day as they strolled by a beautiful waterfall riding!, actor Peter Graves.| Source: Getty Images knowing that he asked Janet for her phone number SpouseVirginia Chapman m.... Brandi love || Kamala Harris || Elizabeth Warren || is coming over for to. To German Purple Heart, and favorite hobbies Park in Glendale, California, United States Won the Star... Dodge. grudge and the owner became friends Brown BuildAverage SpouseVirginia Chapman ( 1948... At a non-Western series with McClains Law, a few years before he started playing Matt Dillon two... Job in the CBS television series Gunsmoke, Arness played on television in the entertainment industry huge man the. Balance between work and family life served in the media letter he wanted to be $ 8 million Net:.