James Arness is an American actor who was born on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the United States to his parents Ruth Duesler and Rolf Cirkler Aurness. Arness grew up with his brother actor Peter Graves. He attended John Burroughs Grade School and then Washburn High School but graduated from West High School in Minneapolis. He went on to work as a courier for a jewelry wholesaler, a logger, and as a laborer for Burlington freight yards before being drafted into the US Army. Arness was a rifleman who participated in the Anzio Beachhead on January 22, 1944, and was badly wounded in his right leg. After several surgeries, Arness was discharged on January 29, 1945. He was highly decorated for his service and received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the World War II Victory Medal, and a Combat Infantryman Badge. Upon returning from the war, Arness began a career in acting with his debut film The Farmer's Daughter.
He went on to appear in dozens of Western films and was a close friend of actor John Wayne. Arness's career culminated in the lead role in the television show "Gunsmoke" which ran for 20 years. He married Virginia Chapman in 1948 but later divorced in 1960. Arness married a second time to Janet Surtees and the pair remained married until his death in 1978. Arness died in his home in Los Angeles due to natural causes and survived by two sons.
| Birth Date: | 26 May, 1923 |
| Age: | 96 yrs |
| Occupations: | Actor Television actor Film actor Film producer |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Minneapolis |
| Education: | Beloit College |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor (1923-2011) |
| Net Worth 2020: | 8 million |
| Net Worth 2021: | 8 million |
