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'Gunsmoke's' James Arness (aka Marshal Matt Dillon) dead at 88
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Actor James Arness, who played the gunslinging marshal Matt Dillon on TV's "Gunsmoke" is dead at 88. According to the Los Angeles Times, the actor died of natural causes.The death comes just a year after Arness' equally famous brother, "Mission: Impossible's" Peter Graves, died of a heart attack.
The 6'-7" inch Arness played the straight-shooting law man on TV for 20 years until the show was canceled in 1975. He reprised the role in four made-for-television movies and then went on to star in the mini-series "How the West Was Won."
Arness was born in Minnesota in 1923 and served in the Army and worked as a radio announcer before pal John Wayne helped him land the "Gunsmoke" role. He is survived by his wife, three sons and three grandchildren.
A message on Arness' official website asks that donations be made in his name to United Cerebral Palsy, a cause he vigorously supported.
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Photo/Video credit: CBS
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RIP James Arness. Gunsmoke was a favorite tv show in my family growing up. I always wanted Matt and Ms Kitty to get "together"-they had a fascinating love interest.
Gunsmoke was before my time, but I fondly remember watching How the West Was Won. If only Hollywood knew how to make a western of similar quality nowadays.
He was a war hero, God rest ya James, America thanks you.....and for 20 years of "Gunsmoke" also :)
I was truly saddened to read that James Arness had passed away. I discovered "Gunsmoke" in reruns on TV LAND, and have been a die-hard fan for fifteen years. Arness, as has already been stated, served with distinction in the armed forces, and was a true hero both on-screen and off. The world has lost a great man.
Love all the Gun Smoke series. I have net flex and we watched all of the Gun Smoke series that was made!,, what a loss we will all have. Rest in peace James Arnez.
Does anyone know for a fact why the writers never had the vision of Matt and Kitty getting married? Was that the decision at the very beginning of writing of the story or was it a television producer's direction to keep the series a mystery until the conclusion?
Frank
Gainesville, Florida
Age 69
as a kid with my grand pa he use to watch gun smook every time I spent the night .seem like a life time ago he is no longer in my life but when I see a program of gunsmoke it takes me back to that time in my life .thanks for the good times w.l.s.
as a kid with my grand pa he use to watch gun smook every time I spent the night .seem like a life time ago he is no longer in my life but when I see a program of gunsmoke it takes me back to that time in my life .thanks for the good times w.l.s.