How much is James Arness worth?
| Net Worth: | $6 Million |
|---|---|
| Profession: | Professional Actor |
| Date of Birth: | May 26, 1923 |
| Country: | United States of America |
| Height: | 2.01 m |
About James Arness
His parents were Ruth Duesler, a journalist, and businessman Rolf Cirkler Aurness. His mother was German and his father was Norwegian. The family name had previously been Aursnes, but Rolf’s father, Peter Aursnes, changed it to Aurness before leaving Norway in 1887. Arness was a Methodist, as were his relatives. Peter Graves, an actor, was Arness’ younger brother. Peter went by the theatrical name “Graves,” a name from his mother’s family.
His most well-known role is the 20 years he spent playing Marshal Matt Dillon in the CBS television series Gunsmoke. The Gunsmoke set occasionally had to stop filming because Arness would start laughing uncontrollably. James Arness detested publicity and forbade journalists from entering the Gunsmoke set. He was described as a thoughtful and reserved individual who loved poetry, sailing, and surfing. He was dubbed “The Greta Garbo of Dodge City” by TV Guide. Since Buck Taylor (Newly on Gunsmoke) admired Arness so much, he gave the character’s name Matthew as the name of his second son.
Arness was worried that his poor vision would prevent him from becoming a naval fighter pilot, despite his desire to do so. However, the height restriction for aviators was set at 6 ft, 2 in, thus his 6-foot, 7-in (2.01 m) frame put a stop to his chances (1.86 m). In March 1943, he reported to Fort Snelling after being enlisted in the US Army.
He was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, European, African, and Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze combat stars, World War II Victory Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge as part of his military honors.
Arness hitchhiked to Hollywood with the goal of finding a job in the film industry. There, he visited agencies and casting calls and quickly started acting and making movie appearances. At RKO, when he made his film debut, his name was promptly changed from “Aurness.” In The Farmer’s Daughter, he made his acting debut as Peter Holstrom, Loretta Young’s (Katie Holstrom) brother. The Farmer’s Daughter gave him the Aurness credit.
In the 1955 prelude to the first Gunsmoke episode, Wayne gave Arness his introduction. The naturally blond hair of the German-Norwegian Arness had to be darkened for the part. Arness became a household name because to the 20-year-long television series Gunsmoke, which also starred Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Dennis Weaver, Ken Curtis, Burt Reynolds, and Buck Taylor. Arness appeared in five made-for-television Gunsmoke movies between 1987 and 1994, as well as Western-themed films and television shows including How the West Was Won, after Gunsmoke ended.
Arness has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in the television industry. On June 3, 2011, Arness passed away in his Brentwood home in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 88 from natural causes.
