Jamed Arness (1923-2011)

I just found out today that James Arness, of Gunsmoke fame, passed away yesterday at the age of 88. Before he took on the role of Matt Dillion for twenty years (it held the record for the longest running drama TV until last year) he did a few film roles and was hesitant to take on Gunsmoke and be typecast until his friend John Wayne encouraged him to take it. “Go ahead and take it, Jim,” Wayne urged him. “You’re too big for pictures. Guys like Gregory Peck and I don’t want a big lug like you towering over us. Make your mark in television.” Standing 6 feet, 6 inches tall he most defiantly left a mark and he will be missed.