Farewell Matt Dillon

James Arness, who played "The Thing" and TV's Matt Dillon, RIP

James Arness, the 6-foot-6 actor who towered over the television landscape for two decades as righteous Dodge City lawman Matt Dillon in "Gunsmoke," died Friday. He was 88.

The actor died in his sleep at his home in Brentwood, Calif., according to his business manager, Ginny Fazer.

Arness' official website posted a letter from Arness on Friday that he wrote with the intention that it be posted posthumously: "I had a wonderful life and was blessed with some many loving people and great friends," he said.

"I wanted to take this time to thank all of you for the many years of being a fan of Gunsmoke, The Thing, How the West Was Won and all the other fun projects I was lucky enough to have been allowed to be a part of. I had the privilege of working with so many great actors over the years."

Click here for the complete story from the Associated Press.

James Arness dies at 88; TV's Marshal Dillon on landmark 'Gunsmoke' series

James Arness dies at 88; TV's Marshal Dillon on landmark 'Gunsmoke' series

At six foot 7 inches he towered as lawman Matt Dillon, a role he took over on radio prior to the launch of the TV western "Gun Smoke." 


The Hollywood Reporter:

James Arness, the 6' 7" actor best known for playing Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke for 20 years, has died.

He was 88.

Arness passed away of natural causes Friday, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Arness's death comes a year after his brother, Mission Impossible actor Peter Graves, died of a heart attack at age 83.

Arness was born May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, starting out as a radio announcer in Minnesota in 1945.

He eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he landed his big break in 1947, starring opposite Loretta Young in the film The Farmer's Daughter.

During his career, Arness befriended John Wayne who was instrumental in helping him score the role of Marshal Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke. (CBS originally wanted Wayne for the part; he declined and suggested Arness.) During his 20 years on the show, he was nominated for three Emmys.

The show, one of the longest running dramatic series ever produced, was cancelled in 1975. Arness made fourGunsmoke movies for TV.

From 1976 through 1979 he starred in the television miniseries How the West Was Won. His last TV series, the police drama Big Jim McLain, aired in the early 1980s.

He is survived by his wife Janet, three sons and three grandchildren.