James Arness (Matt Dillon) Dies

[Jimbeaux]

This is more for the Yanks here as most of you won't know him. Jim Arness (older brother to Mission Impossible's Peter Graves), has died. His run on TV as Dodge City's Marshall Dillon on "Gunsmoke" lasted 20 years, 1955-1975. He made five Gunsmoke movies up until 1994. He played that character spanning five decades.
He fought and was wounded on D-Day. Like many actors of his generation, he was tempered by real war and an appreciation for life and its fragility. John Wayne urged him to take the part as it was originally made for him. Good move.
The show's lasting appeal is rooted in the charcters and the superb writing that went with them. Action and effects were secondary. Although, when called upon, Matt Dillon was a one man justice-dispensing system, as I assume any Western frontier lawman that survived that job had to be. Gunsmoke was a more realistic approach to westerns. The good guy didn't always win and Matt Dillon was an imperfect human character that didn't always succeed. His steadfastedness and determination to do so, however, never wavered. He and the fictional character he portrayed were much alike. Thanks for the memories!

http://www.dailyhome.com/view/full_story/13756467/...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/04/arts/television/...

http://www.google.com/search?q=james+arness&hl...

[Famous Graham]

I wasn't familiar with the guy - I honestly thought the title meant the Rumblefish Matt Dillon's name was a pseudonym. But bummer, nonetheless.

[Laurel Green]

Gunsmoke was a favorite of mine back in my youth. No more Mr Dillon and Chester. RIP Big Man.

[deadslow]

Yes, a childhood favourite. RIP