Arness, James

James Arness
natal chart (Placidus)
natal chart English style (Equal houses)

James Arness

Name	Arness, James Gender: M
Birthname	James King Aurness
born on	26 May 1923 at 01:26 (= 01:26 AM )
Place	Minneapolis, Minnesota, 44n59, 93w16
Timezone	CST h6w (is standard time)
Data source	BC/BR in hand Rodden Rating AA Collector: Steinbrecher
Astrology data	04°02' 09°38 Asc. 13°03'

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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.

He died on June 3, 2011 in Los Angeles.

Link to Wikipedia biography

Relationships

• child relationship with Aurness, Jenny Lee (born 23 May 1950)

• sibling relationship with Graves, Peter (born 18 March 1926)

Events

• Social : Joined group 1943 (U.S. Army)

• Work : Prize 1944 (Purple Heart)

• Social : Left group 1945 (U.S. Army)

• Relationship : Marriage 1948 (Three kids, first marriage)

• Work : Published/ Exhibited/ Released 1951 (Film notability, The Thing)

• Work : Begin Major Project 1955 (Debut of Gunsmoke)

• Work : End Major Project 1975 (Final episode of Gunsmoke)

• Family trauma May 1975 (Daughter suicide)

• Relationship : Marriage 1978 (Janet Surtees)

• Death, Cause unspecified 3 June 2011 (Age 88)

Source Notes

B.C. in hand from Steinbrecher

Categories

• Traits : Body : Size (6' 6")

• Family : Childhood : Sibling circumstances (Brother Peter Graves)

• Family : Relationship : Marriage more than 15 Yrs (First marriage 15 years)

• Family : Relationship : Mate - Age difference more than 15 yrs (Second wife 23 years younger)

• Family : Parenting : Kids -Traumatic event (Daughter drug OD)

• Lifestyle : Work : Same Job more than 10 yrs (Gunsmoke ran 20 years)

• Lifestyle : Financial : Invest/ Property

• Lifestyle : Financial : Wealthy

• Lifestyle : Home : Left home early less than 18 (Left home at 17)

• Personal : Death : Long life more than 80 yrs

• Vocation : Entertainment : Actor/ Actress

• Vocation : Entertainment : Radio/ D.J./ Announcer

• Vocation : Entertainment : TV series/ Soap star (Gunsmoke)

• Vocation : Military : Honors (Purple Heart)

• Vocation : Military : Military service (WW II 2 years)

• Vocation : Military : Wounded (1944)

• Vocation : Travel : Adventurer (Bummed around in his 20's)

• Vocation : Travel : Pilot/ private

• Notable : Famous : Top 5% of Profession

• Notable : Book Collection : American Book