Remembering 'Gunsmoke' actor James Arness

Actor James Arness, famous for playing the lawman Matt Dillon on "Gunsmoke," died at the age of 88 in Brentwood, California. Bill Whitaker takes a look back at his life and career.

[ladydeedd]

I was 3yrs old when I was allowed to watch gunsmoke with my parents. As usual i would fall asleep to that theme song. The older i got the longer i stayed awake to see the episodes. Even now at my age i watch the reruns daily. l just love the black and white episodes. Gunsmoke has brought many hrs of family entertainment to my family. It even brings back the memory of free TV. Wow is that obsolete. Thank you to the Arness family for sharing their son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and grandson with fans they will never meet yet he brought hrs ( 600 + episodes), of enjoyment to us. Thanks to the whole cast and all the behind the scene people that made this possible. I love westerns. This one did and continues to make history from generation to generation.

[ladydeedd]

wonderful memorial. he will be missed. so glad the show is still on in reruns. I still watch them in 2016 at 64 yrs old. What a wonderful actor who brought joy to so many. Condolences and thanks to the Arness family. Thank you for sharing him with us for many years. God bless.

[lordburlap]

Continued rest, Marshall....you brought joy to many.

[voicegirl]

Happy Birthday James Arness! Happy Happy 95 years young! You will always be Matt Dillion, the best Marshal to ever grace TV.. You were a great actor! i love THEM! and The Thing of Another World! You were good in HONDO, THE PEOPLE AGAINST O'HARA AND THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER! I am glad the Gunsmoke movie did not get off the ground. There is only one Matt Dillion!!!!

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

James Arness was not only a hero on TV, but in real life as well.
He really was a giant of a man.
Arness is best remembered for Gunsmoke.
However, those who knew him will always remember him for his kind heart.
He spoke of his family, friends and fans at the end of his life.
He cared about everyone.
The next time I'm in Dodge, I will have tears in my eyes because the man who helped make the city even more famous, has left town.

George Vreeland Hill

[jpr]

This was my dad's favorite show. I can still remember him sitting in his easy chair at 9:00 pm every Saturday night, without fail. When I think of Gunsmoke, I always think of my dad.

[rolandorme]

I've cried my tears, , now I can only enjoy his talent and gifta to us!!!

[melodymobley]

I really miss this great man and fantastic actor!!!

[jackiechlebck]

I have been binge watching Gunsmoke for months. Though I am 75 now, I didn’t watch the show back when I was young. I love Matt Dillon’s sense of humor, dependability, honesty, and true grit. He was one of the best and after I watch all the shows, I’ll occasionally tune in to get my fix of Marshall Dillon and his gang.

[Peaches]

Rest in peace Marshal Matt Dillon. You will be missed and you are very much loved by your fans

[voicegirl]

He died 8 years ago today. Gone but never forgotten. Thanks for being Matt Dillion in Gunsmoke, and all the movies you left behind! j You were good! Real

[Albacorewing]

Rest in peace. He was one of the greatest of the old-time actors.

[mistynmeful]

Sometimes when I read comments I wonder if anyone has seen the bloopers and outtakes. There’s personal information on everybody and funny things. My favorite funny was when doc jumped out at the marshal and he had the funniest reaction. There’s also 2 outakes where Matt and Kitty were in bed - yea, really. There’s a lot of outtakes because they had to make room for commercials. I’ll never figure out why Matt and Kitty never married. They obviously loved each other. Their relationship was definitely not platonic with Matt asking her to go upstairs to her bedroom and how they had discussed marriage. So check out the outtakes and bloopers and keep at it for a lot of information.

[ariesista]

There goes my childhood! My 1st hero before I fell in love with Superman! I always wished he and Miss Kitty would have gotten together. RIP Marshall Dillon!

[TELEVISIONARCHIVES]

Dennis Weaver once said this about James Arness. Jim was Gunsmoke. It wouldn't have lasted so song without him.

[DeedeeSch]

One and only! You will always be my Matt Dillion!

[joepetrizzo]

I USED TO WATCH GUNSMOKE BACK IN THE EARLY 1960'S ALONG WITH OTHER WESTERNS BUT GUNSMOKE WAS THE BEST OUT OF ALL OF THEM, CHESTER, DOC, MISS KITTY, MATT OF COURSE, FESTUS QUINT, BOY OH BOY THOSE WERE THE GOOD OLE DAYS, I MISS THEM DAYS, IT WAS GREAT TIMES THAT I'LL MISS FOREVER. R.I.P. MR ARNESS YOU WHERE GREAT AS MATT DILLON THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER. DODGE CITY KANSAS.

[juliaburke]

Yup, Gunsmoke is my fav. show.In this day and age TV is not the top entertainment anymore. I really never watched Gunsmoke growing up in the 1950, 60's but somehow became infatuated with it later in life. The great characters and ofcourse the hero Marshall Dillon. I'll watch those wonderful reruns knowing the plot over anything nowadays.

[Gingersnap]

R>I>P James Arness The greatest western hero

[WSenator]

The theme of "Gunsmoke" was my lullaby on Saturday nights when I was 10 or 11. I was too young to watch what was a rather violent show. But my parents (who loved the show) had their bedroom just down the hall from mine, so I could hear the audio. I made myself stay up so I could hear the theme song play out until the show ended at 11:00. When I was old enough and was able to watch the show (and much later see episodes on YouTube), I saw why my parents loved it!