James Arness Biography

James Arness

Arness became one of television's best-known heroes during the twenty years he spent on the series Gunsmoke (1955–75), playing Marshal Matt Dillon, a role for which he was recommended by John Wayne. Since Gunsmoke, Arness has appeared in How the West was Won (1976–79), McClain's Law (1981–82) and several Gunsmoke television movies. His younger brother, Peter Graves, is also an actor.