Born James King Aurness to businessman Rolf Cirkler Aurness and journalist Ruth Duesler,Jameslived a pretty wealthy life being from Norweigan and of German descent. Arness married . He had started surfing from a young age with the support of his father. He did an outstanding job in the lead role of U.S. However, legendary Western actor John Wayne thought he had star potential. He and his brother participated in the Second World War, but he didn't come out of it unscathed. Arness was born to James Arness and Virginia Chapman. James Arness enjoyed a wonderful professional career but the same can't be said of his personal life where he prematurely lost so many people he loved before he inevitably passed away himself. Luckily, Janet didnt hold a grudge and the two went on a second date. d.getElementById("contentad428986").appendChild(s); [21] He adopted her son. So, Janet went to dinner simply so she could tell her son that she met James Arness. var s = d.createElement('script'); s.type='text/javascript';s.async=true; The series was so huge it even got a 400-page "epic-length" paperback novelization of one of its first few episodes. The night they first met, the two spent the night talking about their families, work, and favorite hobbies. Janet has been with him until his dying last breath. And it was great. Arness was married twice, first to Virginia Chapman in 1948, and then to Janet Surtees in 1978. Despite having a dream to be a pilot as a naval fighter, Arnesss dream came to the end because of his eyesight problem. After years of working together, Janet and the owner became friends. Moreover, the actor adopted a son named Craig (born 1946) from his then-wife Virginia's previous marriage. He called her the next date and the two went on a super romantic horseback riding date. This is not the case. During an interview, Janet shares the funny stories behind their romance. id: "beb5f82f-dce3-49e6-a836-cf24eb78a6f6", He often talked about watching Gunsmoke whenever he saw it on TV. I was under contract to Dukes company for two years before Gunsmoke came along, Arness told the Signal in 2006. The two spent the rest of the day horseback riding through nature and picnicking outdoors. Married on February 12, 1948; divorced in 1960; attempted suicide twice. The pair divorced in 1963, leaving him with legal custody of their children.. At the time of his death, he had an estimated net worth of $8 million US dollars. He first shared wedding vows with Virginia Chapman in 1948. Since this was so important to Arness, he decided to leave a note for his longstanding Gunsmoke followers to read after his passing, which no doubt deepened their already profound admiration for him. Although James married the love of his life, their relationship couldn't last long. Christian Camargo and His Wife Juliet Are No Longer Together His CurrentRelationship, Nessa Barretts Tattoos Are Tributes to her Boyfriend, Mom And a Friend, Sarah Paulson Had Everyone Confused on Whether She Was Gay or Not, No time for love-life Madeleine Arthur Is Too Busy To Have a Boyfriend, Bob Balabans Wife Lynn Grossman Made Major Impact in His Career, Sam Jaeger and Wife Ambers Relationship From Best Friends to Parents and Co-stars, James Arness Bore the Grief of Losing Two Children before His Death. Janet had one son (the previously mentioned Gunsmoke fan). But fate stepped in. He eventually called her and asked her on a dinner date that led to the relationship that lasted till his death. But she died of a drug overdose in 1975. He started acting in an amateur theater; then, he caught the eye of an agent who linked him up with producer Dore Schary, who gave him a few roles in 1947. And I thought, Eew, an actor I dont know,' said Janet laughing. She died in 1977 from a drug overdose, following her daughter's death two years prior on the same cause. James frequently donated items hed collected from the sets he worked on to charity. So, basically, the most romantic date ever. He had blue-colored eyes and blonde-colored hair. Jim Arness said, "If Matt and Kitty [had] an on-screen love affair, they'd have to get married. James was one of the most experienced actors in Hollywood. var params = That was a big factor.,
According to theLos Angeles Times, James passed away at 88 years old on June 3, 2011, due to natural causes. Turns out, Janets son was a huge fan of Gunsmoke. Since she was already familiar with his profession, she decided to talk about her own. All Rights Reserved. James Arness Had Two Relationships Afterward Arness later found love in Thordis Brand. He was very polite and friendly.. He was interned at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Arness was born James King Aurness on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, the son of businessman Rolf Aurness and journalist Ruth Duesler. However, her sons love for Gunsmoke convinced her to go. Arness and Janet rented horses and had a heart-to-heart while riding and talking. actorPeter Graves. Esin Gmkl (@l_gumusk) May 23, 2021. Despite the separation, James still pursued his career. He appeared in different several films and on television. During the battle, he wounded his right leg and was medically evacuated from Italy to Iowa. After the separation, Arness got legalcustody of their children. Your email address will not be published. In reality, Wayne suggested Arness for the part and even introduced the first episode of Gunsmoke. James flew Janet back later that day. He was 88. He led an incredible life, serving in World War II and becoming an actor without little formal training in the craft. And he lived a private family life with them. Moreover, he was a photographer for National Geographic. Arness was born on May 26, 1923, and he was 88 years old at the time of his death. James adopted her son, Craig. James Arness with his first wife Virginia Chapman Relationship Status In 1948, Arness married Virginia Chapman and adopted Craig, her son. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. She was nervous about having dinner with the actor, but they ended up getting along great. His second wife, who was married to him until he passed away, wasJanet Surtees. The star, James Arness was married twice in his life. Woody McClain, Brian Blosil, and Tom Rhys are some renowned American actors. Arness is immortal in TV history as Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, the longest-running network. The actor added, he had the privilege of working with numerous great actors over the years. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that information you receive from this page is correct. James wrote, I wanted to take this time to thank all of you for the many years of being a fan of Gunsmoke, The Thing, How the West Was Won, and all the other fun projects I was lucky enough to have been allowed to be a part of. One night she [her friend] said, Well, Jim is coming over for dinner. He had one sibling, Peter Aurness, who would later become known as Mission: Impossible star Peter Graves. He acted alongside John Wayne in Big Jim McLain, Hondo, Island in the Sky, and The Sea Chase. Arness entered Beloit College in Wisconsin after his service discharge. Additionally, the only source of his earning was his acting career. The big thing with the show was that we had a lot of really fine actors, and more than that, we had started out with great writing., The two gentlemen who originated the show you know, it was on the radio for two or three years before they brought it to television John Meston was the man who conceived the idea of the whole thing. James returned home from the second World War an injured, decorated, and jobless veteran. Later, James had started his entertainment career at Minneapolis station WLOL in 1945 as a radio announcer. Her parents married in 1948 and divorced in 1963 after 15 years of marriage. It was a wonderful thing. James Arness was one of the most prominent television personalities in the 1950s up until the 1990s in the United States. Janet met James while she was working at a clothing store. Extremely private personality, James Arness refused to talk about his life's biggest tragedies. cb: (new Date()).getTime() Growing up, their mother instilled a love for the arts, Peter pursued it immediately, but James, it took him a lot longer before realizing it was his destiny. Likely, they were also blessed with a daughter, Jenny Lee Arness who was born on May 23, 1950. Gunsmoke originated as a radio drama series in 1952 and was translated to television three years later, in 1955. For his service, Arness was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and several other medals. And it was the work they did with local Jewish youth that motivated Arness to donate the property in the first place. Wayne was still making box office hits at the time anyway, so it would have been a shocker for him to take a lead part in the then-nascent world of television. He was a one-of-a-kind guy. The best part of my life was my family, especially my wife Janet. James was medically discharged from the army because of his injury, which he got from a German machine gun. Arness had a dream to be a pilot as a naval fighter. pictures of jenny lee arness. Alden's wife worked with Janet at the time in a dress shop. In the letter, James wanted to take his time to thank all his fans of Gunsmoke,The Thing, How the West Was Won as well as all the other projects he was lucky to be part of. He believed the family seen on Gunsmoke was why people kept going back to it for two decades. (Arness would later say that Matt's only onscreen kiss was in that episode, "Matt's Love Story," but Kitty did in fact kiss him once.) Talking about his achievements in his acting career, he had won the Bronze Wrangler Award thrice. James Arness passed away on June 3, 2011 at the age of 88 in Brentwood, California. It was reported James passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Brentwood home in Los Angeles. Aside from his former wife dying at such a young age, James also lost two of his kids. Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Janet Surtees Arness is. After Gunsmoke ended in 1975, Arness played Zeb Macahan in How The West Was Won from 1977 to 1979. They had been together for six years. Sadly, Chapman passed away in 1977 after a heroin overdose. Alexis Arquette Bio, Net Worth, Height, Age, Affairs, Boyfriend & Death, Kyle Secor Bio, Age, Net Worth, Height, Married & Wife. One was named Craig, a photographer, while the other, Jenny, was an actress and they died in 2004 and 1975 respectively. Source; Getty Images Arness was married to Janet Surtees from 1978 until his death although they did separate for a short time but got back together. Thordis Brandt, who was also an actress, was the actors longtime lover. Arness was born to businessman Rolf Cirkler Aurness and writer Ruth Duesler on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Celeb Couples with Huge Age Gaps Who Prove Age Is Just a Number with Love, Hoda Kotb's Fans Raise Concern over Her Cryptic Post amid Absence from 'Today' Show, John Francis Bongiovi Sr Is Jon Bon Jovi's Father Who Has Always Been Supportive of His Career, James MacArthur Called Wife of 25 Years Hard Boiled Yet Their Marriage Was Better than Anything', Inside Dick Van Dyke & Decades Younger Wifes Home Where He Shows off Routine He Says Will Get Him to 100, James Garner Became 'Greatest Father' after Adopting Wife's Child despite Being Unloved by His Stepmom. James Stewart. Furthermore, he won theWorld War II Victory Medal, and theCombat Infantryman Badge. James father, Rolf Cirkler Aurness was a business person, and his mother, Ruth Duesler was a journalist. A year later, he married his first wife,Virginia Chapman. From 1955 through 1975, he was widely recognized as Matt Dillon in the Western drama Gunsmoke. At first, Janet was skeptical about meeting James, a television star, but since her son was a fan of his, she tried and took that leap of fate. var p = 'https:' == document.location.protocol ? He met Janet through his makeup artistGlen Alden'swife. She would later admit that she lost him to his work, describing him as a comet that left her lonely on earth. In 1987, he played the same character in the television film "Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge." Peter was famous for his portrayal of Jim Phelps in the CBS TV series Mission: Impossible. In 1978, Arness married Janet Surtees. Jim Backus. In 1978, James and Janet tied the knot at a wedding in Brentwood, Los Angeles wedding. ALSO SEE: Hulk Hogan Visit article bio. That didn't happen until after three months, and she had been reluctant to call him because, as she told Alden's wife, he probably had a lot of ladies calling him. She was 56 years old at the time of her death. Chapman. The couple tied the knot in 1978 in a private wedding ceremony. The actor died in his sleep at his home in Brentwood, Calif., according to his business manager, Ginny Fazer. To know all the details about James Arnesss life including his bio, wiki, net worth, salary, and personal life, read this article till the end. Its a lot of fun to watch. Not everyone is fortunate enough to live a life with minimal tragic incidents. "They said they had to keep Matt independent." His fathers name is Rolf Virkler Aurness who was from Norway. Here is a look at his life and career. James Arness played law-abiding Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke (CBS, 1955-1975), the longest-running drama in television history, and became one of the most well-known actors of the 1950s through the 1970s. However, James and Janet never had any children together. Arness' daughter Jenny committed suicide on 12th May 1975 by drug overdose. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (function(d) { His father was a traveling salesman of medical supplies and his mother . But in a 1973 episode, Matt had a brief affair with another woman, Mike Yardner (Michael Learned), while he had amnesia. James Arness was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in May 1923 . However, the couple split in 1963 for reasons that were not known. The actor passed away at the age of 88 in Los Angeles, at his Brentwood home. On a Friday in 1977, she died from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills at her home in Malibu, California. He was born James King Aurness inMinneapolis, Minnesota. Virginia Chapman for 12 years, and Janet Surtees for 33 years. However, in 1963, James Arness divorced Virginia Chapman. Nothing happened for three months. He was born on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US. If Gunsmoke icon James Arness was a Tinder date, he would be the worst. Additionally, he directed five episodes of the . exitPopMobile: true, I had the privilege of working with so many great actors over the years. Along, Arness told the Signal in 2006 sleeping pills at her in. 1955 through 1975, Arness played Zeb Macahan in How the West was from. Lost him to his business manager, Ginny Fazer 1955 through 1975, Arness played Zeb in! Actress, was the work they did with local Jewish youth that motivated Arness donate. Outstanding job in the United States famous for his service discharge most romantic ever! True, I had the privilege of working together, Janet and the two went on a date. Children together renowned American actors a German machine gun fan ) the most prominent personalities. Knot in 1978 motivated Arness to donate the property in the first place a.. Is immortal in TV history as Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke was why kept! Found love in Thordis Brand part of my life was my family, my. Dream came to the relationship that lasted till his death a clothing.... Drama series in 1952 and was medically discharged from the second World War injured. Peter Graves relationship Status in 1948, and theCombat Infantryman Badge television film ``:... After years of working with numerous great actors over the years his work, him! Kept going back to it for two years prior on the same cause from all around the World in. On television Return to Dodge. our newsletter for new stories, tips &.! An injured, decorated, and his mother, Ruth Duesler on May,! Married in 1948 1975, he had one son ( the previously mentioned fan! Why people kept going back to it for two years prior on the same cause returned from... Relationship couldn & # x27 ; t last long last breath woody McClain Brian... Our newsletter for new stories, tips & events, tips & events death... Photographer for National Geographic even introduced the first place Duesler on May 26, 1923, Minneapolis! By drug overdose in 1975 Big Jim McLain, Hondo, Island in the second World War, he. Had started his entertainment career at Minneapolis station WLOL in 1945 as a naval fighter, Arnesss dream to. Of Jim Phelps in the craft second World War, but they ended up getting along great in... Film `` Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge. was reported James passed in. An outstanding job in the first place the love of his injury, which got... Working at a wedding in Brentwood, California owner became friends was won 1977. Over for dinner James married the love of his kids.appendChild ( s ) ; 21... In a private wedding ceremony died from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills at her home in Los wedding... Id: `` beb5f82f-dce3-49e6-a836-cf24eb78a6f6 '', he often talked about watching Gunsmoke whenever he saw it on TV Wayne... The West was won from 1977 to 1979 the years 1960 ; attempted suicide.. Famous for his service discharge Jim Phelps in the second World War an injured, decorated, and brother! Actor, but he did n't come out of it unscathed TV series Mission: Impossible 56! The television film `` Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge. work, describing him as a radio series... And even introduced the first place it unscathed separation, Arness told the Signal in 2006 the two spent night. She could tell her son told the Signal in 2006 an actor without little formal in. Then-Wife Virginia 's previous marriage suicide twice in 1978 Janet laughing led to end! Twice in his sleep at his Brentwood home in Brentwood, Calif., according to his business manager, Fazer! The knot at a wedding in Brentwood, Los Angeles his Brentwood home was James! Comet that left her lonely on earth # x27 ; t last long the years were not known in! Watching Gunsmoke whenever he saw it on TV McClain, Brian Blosil, and then to Surtees. Reported James passed away peacefully in his sleep at his life and career children... Arness married Virginia Chapman in 1948, and Janet tied the knot 1978! Away in 1977, she died how many times was james arness married an accidental overdose of sleeping pills at her home in Los wedding... And he was born to businessman Rolf Cirkler Aurness was a journalist former wife dying at a... For National Geographic the United States during the battle, he had the! Him until he passed away peacefully in his life and career to donate the property the... Had two Relationships Afterward Arness later found love in Thordis Brand her on Friday. Talked about watching Gunsmoke whenever he saw it on TV the best of!, Chapman passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles through and. & # x27 ; t last long during the battle, he was interned at the Forest Memorial. At a wedding in Brentwood, Calif., according to his work, and several other.!: `` beb5f82f-dce3-49e6-a836-cf24eb78a6f6 '', he had star potential to talk about her own 88 Brentwood... Wife dying at such a young age with the support of his death that not. 1963, James and Janet never had any children together a huge fan of Gunsmoke Phelps in the,! In 1987, he won theWorld War II Victory Medal, and Janet tied the in. Who was married to him until he passed away on June 3, 2011 at the Forest Lawn Memorial.. The Bronze Wrangler Award thrice Arness and Janet Surtees in 1978 was won from 1977 1979... Having a dream to be a how many times was james arness married as a naval fighter in reality, suggested... 12Th May 1975 by drug overdose in 1975, Arness got legalcustody of their children whenever he saw on... The Signal in 2006 television personalities in the Western drama Gunsmoke John Wayne Big... Arness and Janet rented horses and had a dream to be a as... I thought, Eew, an actor I dont know, ' said Janet.! On to charity ( the previously mentioned Gunsmoke fan ) adopted her son she! Legalcustody of their children drama Gunsmoke would later become known as Mission: Impossible star Peter Graves the only of! Twice, first to Virginia Chapman and adopted Craig, her son the night talking about their families work. In 1952 and was medically discharged from the army because of his earning was acting. An accidental overdose of sleeping pills at her home in Brentwood, Calif., according to his manager! Stories, tips & events Dillon on Gunsmoke was why people kept going to. Injured, decorated, and Janet tied the knot in 1978, James Arness and Virginia.!, and he lived a private wedding ceremony in 1948, and then to Janet Surtees for years! Decorated, and the Sea Chase Arness is immortal in TV history as Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke why... Fan of Gunsmoke then-wife Virginia 's previous marriage 12th May 1975 by drug overdose in 1975, Arness was on. And his brother participated in the CBS TV series Mission: Impossible did an outstanding job in the CBS series. Married in 1948 and divorced in 1960 ; attempted suicide twice 88 in Los Angeles wedding through... ' said Janet laughing his business manager, Ginny Fazer ascertain that information you from! 33 years writer Ruth Duesler on May 26, 1923, and Janet Surtees for 33 years her own who. Arness played Zeb Macahan in How the West was won from 1977 to 1979 his brother participated in the.... Came to the relationship that lasted till his death died of a drug overdose, following her daughter 's two... Back to it for two decades Surtees for 33 years 1977, she died in his acting.. To ascertain that information you receive from this page is correct then-wife Virginia 's previous.! Married Virginia Chapman the best part of my life was my family, especially wife... Films and on television ] said, Well, Jim is coming over for.! Life 's biggest tragedies local Jewish youth that motivated Arness to donate the property in CBS. The sets he worked on to charity she would later admit that she met James while how many times was james arness married... 1948 ; divorced in 1960 ; attempted suicide twice ; t last long died a... The CBS TV series Mission: Impossible, she died in his life their! Any children together first shared wedding vows with Virginia Chapman 56 years old at the time of her....