Arness, James
From Astro-Databank
| Name |
| ||
| Birthname | Aurness, James King | ||
| born on | 26 May 1923 at 01:26 (= 01:26 AM ) | ||
| Place | Minneapolis MN, USA, 44n59, 93w16 | ||
| Timezone | CST h6w (is standard time) | ||
| Data source |
| ||
| Astrology data |   04°02'   09°38 Asc. 13°03'
|
Biography
American actor most noted for the TV series "Gunsmoke," 1955-1975, which was an instant hit that retained popularity for 20 years.
As a youngster, Arness left home at age 17. He worked on a freighter, was a radio announcer, sang in the streets for money, worked on road construction and even became a part-time bum living out of an old car. He served in the Army in WW II, from 1943-1945, spending his last year in a hospital after being wounded in the Third Infantry in Italy.
After the war, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota, where he was bitten by the acting bug. While at school, he worked as a substitute radio announcer at station WLOL. The cold winters of Minnesota aggravated Arness' wounded leg, so he packed up and left with a pal for sunny California. He soon landed a small role in a little theater production. Arness was spotted by an agent who put him to work in a movie, "The Farmer's Daughter."
Not ready to grow up and meet success head on, he took off down the California-Mexico coast, living out of his car and adventuring. Back to Hollywood, he again worked at odd jobs, construction and real estate as he tried out for film roles.
His movie break came in 1951 with a classic horror flick that put his 6' 6" size to use, as he played the title role in "The Thing." His rugged good looks got him a contract with John Wayne's production company and the two men became friends. In 1955, Wayne turned down the role of Matt Dillon in "Gunsmoke," recommending Arness for the role. The show was a beloved hit for 20 years.
Arness was married from 1948-1963 and had three kids. He was married for the second time in 1978 to 32-year old Janet Surtees.
Arness did five Gunsmoke movies between 1989 and 1994. By 2000, he and Janet were living in Los Angeles and mostly keeping busy with charity projects.
Relationships
- sibling relationship with Graves, Peter (born 18 March 1926)
- child relationship with Aurness, Jenny Lee (born 23 May 1950)
Events
- Family trauma May 1975 (Daughter suicide)
- Work : Begin Major Project 1955 (Debut of Gunsmoke)
- Work : End Major Project 1975 (Final episode of Gunsmoke)
- Social : Joined group 1943 (U.S. Army)
- Social : Left group 1945 (U.S. Army)
- Work : Published/ Exhibited/ Released 1951 (Film notability, The Thing)
- Relationship : Marriage 1948 (Three kids, first marriage)
- Relationship : Marriage 1978 (Janet Surtees)
- Work : Prize 1944 (Purple Heart)
Source Notes
B.C. in hand from Steinbrecher
Categories
- Vocation : Military : Wounded (1944)
- Vocation : Entertainment : Actor/ Actress
- Vocation : Travel : Pilot/ private
- Lifestyle : Financial : Invest/ Property
- Lifestyle : Financial : Wealthy
- Family : Relationship : Mate - Age difference more than 15 yrs (Second wife 23 years younger)
- Notable : Book Collection : American Book
- Notable : Famous : Top 5% of Profession
- Family : Parenting : Kids -Traumatic event (Daughter drug OD)
- Family : Relationship : Marriage more than 15 Yrs (First marriage 15 years)
- Vocation : Military : Military service (WW II 2 years)
- Vocation : Entertainment : TV series/ Soap star (Gunsmoke)
- Vocation : Entertainment : Radio/ D.J./ Announcer
- Vocation : Travel : Adventurer (Bummed around in his 20's)
- Family : Childhood : Sibling circumstances (Brother Peter Graves)
- Lifestyle : Work : Same Job more than 10 yrs (Gunsmoke ran 20 years)
- Traits : Body : Size (6' 6")
- Lifestyle : Home : Left home early less than 18 (Left home at 17)
- Vocation : Military : Honors (Purple Heart)
