JAMES ARNESS

[7thson]

Did anyone catch BOR last night? He has a new weekly segment highlighting a TV icon. Last night he had James Arness - Matt Dillon from Gunsmoke. Mr. Arness is 83 years old. He is a very humble man, from what I saw of the mini-interview. I also found out that he was in WW II, wounded at Anzio, and spent 18 months in recuperation.

That was one of my favorite westerns growing up. When I was a little kid, it would confuse the hell out of me when Bruce Dern kept on showing up in different episodes. I was always thinking - didn't Matt kill this guy already.

Here are two trivia items concerning him from IMDB -

Very, very often during his career, this huge actor was surrounded by co-stars standing on apple boxes or had to perform standing in a ditch just so he could be in a shot.

His status as a Republican disappointed Lady Bird Johnson, who was a fan of "Gunsmoke" (1955).

[Anti-Bubba182]

I saw him. It was good to see him again. There were a lot
of great episodes on the old series.

[Coldwater Creek]

I do not watch BOR, but stopped when I realized to he was talking to. I would have never recognized James Arness if I had not seen his name on the screen.

[LIConFem]

He was great in The Thing, an excellent early '50s sci-fi flick.

[mewzilla]

No lines, but what a presence :)

[LIConFem]

The Thing (from Another World)

Arness played the title role, btw...

[johnny7]

When I was a little kid, it would confuse the hell out of me when Bruce Dern kept on showing up in different episodes.

Dern and his big, snarling teeth were a fixture on TV westerns.

[LIConFem]

He gave a few good grunts, growls and groans. ;o)

[exit82]

I caught the interview. Mr. Arness was very well spoken. When they panned to a wide shot of the set, I chuckled when I saw he was wearing sneakers. Hey, when you're 83, you wear whatever is comfortable.

His brother is Peter Graves(Mission Impossible). They both have aged very well-must come from good stock.

[mathluv]

I had forgotten he was in that. I am like some others - I wuld not have recognized him - because in my mind he will always be Matt Dillon.

I usually at least start to listen to bor - until he starts bashing W, then I turn him off.

[mewzilla]

Mr. Arness was also very good in Them!

[muawiyah]

The Aurness folks come from Sykkylven in West Norway originally. This is near where Rollo, who founded the Norman dynasty in what is now called Normandy, came from in the 10th century.

Kaiser Wilhelm actually sent materials to fix up the town when it burned to the ground in the middle of Winter.

I'd just guess a lot of people from that town left for America about that time.

[LIConFem]

Yes, he was. That was another good sci-fi flick. Good effects for that period, too.

[Non-Sequitur]

His status as a Republican disappointed Lady Bird Johnson, who was a fan of "Gunsmoke" (1955).

If that's all that disappointed her during the Johnson Administration then I feel sorry for her.

[Peter W. Kessler]

He also co-starred in "Big Jim McLain" with John Wayne.

It's not one of Wayne's best, but it's one of my favorites.

[mewzilla]

Mr. Arness has his own website.

www.jamesarness.com

It's pretty cool :)

[7thson]

BOR was showing old scenes from Gunsmoke during the interview - from the 50's. In one scene, Matt is breaking up some type of confrontation around a table in the bar. The guy he is talking to is a young Charles Bronson. It's great when you watch the old television programs and see young versions of Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Jack Warden, et al.

[metesky]

His status as a Republican disappointed Lady Bird Johnson, who was a fan of "Gunsmoke" (1955).

What would she expect from a John Wayne protege?

[steelyourfaith]

It was GREAT seeing James Arness again. A real class gentleman.

[Jay Howard Smith]

James Arness also starred in the Mini-Series 'How the West was Won' as Zeb Macahon. Good series..~!