Standing 6'6" and casting a shadow every bit as impressive as his mentor John 'Duke' Wayne, James Arness burned himself indelibly into the American psyche as Marshall Matt Dillon, Dodge City's straight-shootin' sheriff on the long-running CBS series "Gunsmoke" (1955-1975). Born James Aurness, this older brother of actor Peter Graves was recovering from WWII wounds suffered during the Anzio invasion when he joined a little-theater group, supporting himself as a real estate agent and advertising man. He made his screen debut in 1947's "The Farmer's Daughter" and appeared as GI Garby in William
Recovering from severe wounds incurred during WWII Anzio landing, joined a little theater group and supported himself as a real estate agent and advertising man
1947
Film acting debut (billed as James Aurness), "The Farmer's Daughter"
1947
First film as James Arness, "Roses Are Red"
1949
Portrayed GI Garby in William Wellman's WWII epic "Battleground"
