James Arness
Acting
Born May 26, 1923 · Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Biography
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…
Known For · 40 titles
The Red Skelton Show
Gunsmoke
The Ed Sullivan Show
How the West Was Won
Lux Video Theatre
Them!
McClain's Law
The Thing from Another World
Front Row Center
Hondo
In a Lonely Place
Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice
Battleground
Alias Jesse James
The People Against O'Hara
The Johnny Carson Show
Gunsmoke: To the Last Man
Island in the Sky
Wagon Master
Many Rivers to Cross
The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory
Red River
The Sea Chase
The Farmer's Daughter
Hellgate
Gun the Man Down
Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge
Stars in My Crown
Gunsmoke: The Last Apache
Iron Man
The First Traveling Saleslady
The Veils of Bagdad
The Lone Hand
Big Jim McLain
Sierra
Flame of the Islands
Her Twelve Men
Wyoming Mail
The Western: A Lost TV Special
Horizons West