
The star of one of the longest-running shows in U.S. television history, Gunsmoke (1955). Born of Norwegian heritage (the family name, Aurness (formerly had been Aursness) in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Rolf and Ruth Duesler Aurness. His father was a traveling salesman of medical supplies and his mother later became a newspaper columnist. James attended West High School in Minneapolis. Although he appeared in school plays, he had no interest in performing, and dreamed instead of going to sea. After high school, he attended one semester at Beloit College before receiving his draft notice in 1943. He entered the army and trained at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, before shipping out for North Africa. After landing at Casablanca, Arness joined the 3rd Infantry Division in time for the invasion of Anzio. Ten days after the invasion, Arness was severely wounded in the leg and foot by German machine-gun fire. His wounds, which plagued him the rest of his life, resulted in his medical discharge from the army. While recuperating in a Clinton, Iowa hospital, he was visited by his younger brother Peter (later to gain fame as actor Peter Graves), who suggested he take a radio course at the University of Minnesota. James did so, and a teacher recommended him for a job as an announcer at a Minneapolis radio station. Though seemingly headed for success in radio, he followed a boyhood friend's suggestion and went with the friend to Hollywood in hopes of getting work as film extras. He studied at the Bliss-Hayden Theatre School under actor Harry Hayden, and while appearing in a ...more
Movie | For the Love of Spock | Matt Dillon (archive footage) | 2016-09-09 |
Movie | Gunsmoke: The Long Ride | Matt Dillon | 1993-05-08 |
Movie | Gunsmoke: To the Last Man | Matt Dillon | 1992-01-10 |
Movie | Gunsmoke: The Last Apache | Matt Dillon | 1990-03-17 |
Movie | John Wayne Standing Tall | Self - Host | 1989-03-01 |
Movie | Red River | Thomas Dunson | 1988-04-10 |
Movie | Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge | Matt Dillon | 1987-09-27 |
Movie | The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory | Jim Bowie | 1987-11-11 |
Movie | The Horror Show | (archive footage) | 1979-02-06 |
Series | How the West Was Won | Zeb Macahan | 1977-02-06 |
Movie | Alias Jesse James | Marshal Matt Dillon (uncredited) | 1959-03-20 |
Movie | The First Traveling Saleslady | Joel Kingdom | 1956-08-01 |
Movie | Gun the Man Down | Rem Anderson | 1956-11-15 |
Movie | Many Rivers to Cross | Esau Hamilton | 1955-02-04 |
Movie | The Sea Chase | Schlieter | 1955-06-04 |
Series | Gunsmoke | Marshal Matt Dillon | 1955-09-10 |
Movie | Flame of the Islands | Kelly Rand | 1955-12-04 |
Movie | Them! | FBI Agent Robert Graham | 1954-06-16 |
Movie | Her Twelve Men | Ralph Munsey | 1954-08-11 |
Movie | The Lone Hand | Gus Varden | 1953-05-20 |
Movie | Island in the Sky | Mac McMullen | 1953-09-05 |
Movie | The Veils of Bagdad | Targut | 1953-10-06 |
Movie | Hondo | Lennie | 1953-11-26 |
Movie | Carbine Williams | Leon Williams | 1952-05-01 |
Movie | The Girl in White | Matt | 1952-05-23 |
Movie | Big Jim McLain | Mal Baxter | 1952-08-30 |
Movie | Horizons West | Tiny McGilligan | 1952-10-11 |
Movie | Hellgate | George Redfield | 1952-09-04 |
Movie | The Thing from Another World | 'The Thing' | 1951-04-05 |
Movie | Cavalry Scout | Barth | 1951-05-13 |
Movie | Two Lost Worlds | Kirk Hamilton | 1951-01-05 |
Movie | The People Against O'Hara | John Fordman 'Johnny' O'Hara | 1951-09-01 |
Movie | Iron Man | Alex Mallick | 1951-09-20 |
Movie | In a Lonely Place | Young Detective (uncredited) | 1950-05-17 |
Movie | Wagon Master | Floyd Clegg | 1950-04-22 |
Movie | Stars in My Crown | Rolfe Isbell (uncredited) | 1950-05-11 |
Movie | Sierra | Little Sam (as Jim Arness) | 1950-05-26 |
Movie | Wyoming Mail | Russell | 1950-10-18 |
Series | Lux Video Theatre | Unknown | 1950-10-02 |
Movie | The Man from Texas | (uncredited) | 1948-03-06 |
Series | The Ed Sullivan Show | Unknown | 1948-06-20 |
Movie | Roses Are Red | Ray (as James Aurness) | 1947-11-10 |
Movie | The Farmer's Daughter | Peter Holstrom (as James Aurness) | 1947-03-26 |
Series | Front Row Center | Unknown | 1945-03-25 |
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