James Arness
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- May 26, 1923 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Died
- June 3, 2011
- Active Years
- 1945–1994 (50 Years)
- Total Credits
- 54 credits in database
Biography
James Arness was an American actor born on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended West High School in Minneapolis and later attended Beloit College for one semester before receiving his draft notice in 1943. His father was a traveling salesman of medical supplies and his mother was a newspaper columnist. Arness had no interest in performing, but instead dreamed of going to sea. He trained at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, before shipping out for North Africa. He is known for his work in the entertainment industry, with 51 known credits.
Career overview
James Arness was an American actor. He attended West High School in Minneapolis and later 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.
Arness's acting career is notable for his long-running role in a U.S. television show. He was born of Norwegian heritage 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.
Arness's acting credits include appearances in a television show that is one of the longest-running shows in U.S. television history, which premiered in 1955. He is also known by the name James King Aurness.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
54 titles- Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice (1994) as Matt Dillon
- Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice (1994) Executive Producer
- Gunsmoke: The Long Ride (1993) as Matt Dillon
- Gunsmoke: The Long Ride (1993) Executive Producer
- Gunsmoke: To the Last Man (1992) as Matt Dillon
- Gunsmoke: The Last Apache (1990) as Matt Dillon
- John Wayne Standing Tall (1989) as Self - Host
- Red River (1988) as Thomas Dunson
- Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge (1987) as Matt Dillon
- The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory (1987) as Jim Bowie
- McClain's Law (1981) as Det. Jim McClain
- The Horror Show (1979) as (archive footage)
- How the West Was Won (1977) as Zeb Macahan
- The Macahans (1976) as Zeb Macahan
- Why Vietnam? (1965) as Narrator
- Alias Jesse James (1959) as Marshal Matt Dillon (uncredited)
- The Western: A Lost TV Special (1958) as Self
- Gun the Man Down (1956) as Rem Anderson
- The First Traveling Saleslady (1956) as Joel Kingdom
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Marshal Matt Dillon
- Gunsmoke (1955) Producer
- The Sea Chase (1955) as Schlieter
- Many Rivers to Cross (1955) as Esau Hamilton
- Flame of the Islands (1955) as Kelly Rand
- The Johnny Carson Show (1955)
- Them! (1954) as FBI Agent Robert Graham
- Her Twelve Men (1954) as Ralph Munsey
- The Veils of Bagdad (1953) as Targut
- Hondo (1953) as Lennie
- Island in the Sky (1953) as Mac McMullen
- The Lone Hand (1953) as Gus Varden
- Big Jim McLain (1952) as Mal Baxter
- Horizons West (1952) as Tiny McGilligan
- Hellgate (1952) as George Redfield
- The Girl in White (1952) as Matt
- Carbine Williams (1952) as Leon Williams
- The Red Skelton Show (1951) as Self
- The Thing from Another World (1951) as 'The Thing'
- The People Against O'Hara (1951) as John Fordman 'Johnny' O'Hara
- Two Lost Worlds (1951) as Kirk Hamilton
- Iron Man (1951) as Alex Mallick
- Cavalry Scout (1951) as Barth
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Chuck Scott
- In a Lonely Place (1950) as Young Detective (uncredited)
- Wyoming Mail (1950) as Russell
- Wagon Master (1950) as Floyd Clegg
- Stars in My Crown (1950) as Rolfe Isbell (uncredited)
- Sierra (1950) as Little Sam (as Jim Arness)
- Battleground (1949) as Garby
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- The Man from Texas (1948) as (uncredited)
- The Farmer's Daughter (1947) as Peter Holstrom (as James Aurness)
- Roses Are Red (1947) as Ray (as James Aurness)
- Front Row Center (1945)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is James Arness best known for?
James Arness is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Red River (1988), The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory (1987), McClain's Law (1981), How the West Was Won (1977).
When and where was James Arness born?
James Arness was born on May 26, 1923 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. They passed away on June 3, 2011.
How many credits does James Arness have?
James Arness has accumulated over 54 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1945 to 1994.
What is James Arness's background in cinema and television?
James Arness was an American actor born on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended West High School in Minneapolis and later attended Beloit College for one semester before receiving his draft notice in 1943. His father was a traveling salesman of medical supplies and his mother was a newspaper columnist. ...
James Arness by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Johnny Carson Show (1955) — aged about 32
- McClain's Law (1981) as Det. Jim McClain — aged about 58
- In a Lonely Place (1950) as Young Detective (uncredited) — aged about 27
- The Red Skelton Show (1951) as Self — aged about 28
- How the West Was Won (1977) as Zeb Macahan — aged about 54
- Stars in My Crown (1950) as Rolfe Isbell (uncredited) — aged about 27
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