Four months shy of his 21st birthday, James King Aurness from Minneapolis, Minnesota, was anxiously waiting with fellow soldiers on one of the U.S. Army’s WWII landing barges of the U.S. 3rd Army Infantry Division on January 22, 1944. They were heading to the beach at Anzio, where they faced immediate, intense resistance from the German Army. At 6-foot-7-inches tall, young Army Private Aurness was ordered into the water first to determine its depth for the others. He described it as being “waist high” as he stormed ashore, dodging bullets and fallen comrades around him.
Anzio, located 30 miles south of Rome, was one of the deadliest battles of WWII. Anzio Beach stretched 15 miles long and 7 miles deep. The infamous Battle of Anzio lasted from January 22, 1944, to May 29, 1944. By midnight on the first day, “36,000 men landed, securing a beachhead 2-3 miles deep.”
Seriously wounded in the assault by German machine-gun fire in his knee and lower leg, Aurness earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for bravery under fire. After 18 months of recovery and rehabilitation, he was honorably discharged and sent home. Like thousands of other WWII veterans, he enrolled in college using GI Bill benefits. A graduate of Beloit College in Wisconsin, he got a job at WLOL in Minneapolis in 1945. Later, he headed to California to break into the movie business as a stuntman or actor, dropping the “u” from his last name to become James Arness. With his good looks, voice, education, and radio experience, he landed a film part in 1947, playing Loretta Young’s brother.
John Wayne became a close friend and mentor to Arness. He signed a contract with Wayne’s company, BATJAC, in the early 1950s and appeared in four films with him. They shared a straightforward manner, honesty, and the same May 26th birthday. When Arness was offered the role of Marshall Matt Dillon in “Gunsmoke,” an adult TV western, his agent and friends advised him to turn it down. But John “Duke” Wayne, whose advice Arness respected, told him to “take the part,” assuring him it would be a good opportunity to learn his craft. Wayne promised to introduce him on the first TV show, and Arness “could take it from there.” On September 10, 1955, Wayne introduced James Arness as Marshall Matt Dillon in “Gunsmoke.”
“Gunsmoke” ran for 20 years before being canceled but continues to be enjoyed on CDs and television reruns, attracting new and old fans alike. Arness made other films over the years but is most remembered as Marshall Matt Dillon. The show had excellent writers and a perfect cast who worked well together, which resonated with the audience.
Amanda Blake played “Miss Kitty Russell,” who ran the boarding house saloon. Fans often asked if Matt and Miss Kitty would marry, but Arness and the writers thought it would change the show’s dynamic too much. Milburn Stone played “Doc Adams,” a no-nonsense doctor expected to patch up bullet wounds and deliver babies. Dennis Weaver portrayed “Chester,” the Marshall’s stiff-legged deputy. After nine years, Weaver left the show for other roles and was replaced by Ken Curtis as “Festus Haggen,” who brought his own unique flair to the character.
Arness, as Marshall Matt Dillon, always emerged victorious in gunfights. Off-screen, he was known for his practical jokes. On one occasion, he used a blood capsule during a shooting scene to fool his fellow actors, causing a scare because nobody expected Marshall Dillon to be shot.
Arness enjoyed sailing his catamaran, “Sea Smoke,” which he donated to the Sea Scouts. He also donated his 1,400-acre ranch in Northern Los Angeles County to Brandeis Institute in 1973. An accomplished pilot, he enjoyed flying with his wife, Janet, to various locations.
His younger brother, Peter Graves, also became an actor, changing his last name to their maternal grandfather’s name. Peter’s biggest hit was the TV show “Mission Impossible.” Peter Graves passed away on March 14, 2010.
James Arness was married to Janet for 33 years until his death on June 3, 2011, at age 88. He is survived by his widow, three sons, and four grandchildren. Janet Arness continues to communicate with his fans through their official website.
