They dated for a few years before tying the knot in 1978. James Arness, famous as the star of one of the longest-running shows in U.S. television history, "Gunsmoke," was born to Rolf Aurness James Arness is a member of the following lists: American film actors, American She was previously married to James Arness and Leo Myron Morton. As at the time that he met his future wife, Janet Surtees, she worked in a clothing store to make a living. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Though Surtees first got to know the Gunsmoke star when he was already one of the biggest screen idols in America, she refused to be blown away by his fame. Luckily, Janet didnt hold a grudge and the two went on a second date. The couples second date turned out to be even better than the first as Arness went all out to show Janet a good time. WebOn March 6, 1984, Graves was hospitalized at Tahoe Forest Hospital for a fractured jaw among other injuries sustained from a fall on an icy Lake Tahoe road the previous weekend. She said, I am sure Jim has countless girls calling him. James Arness also had a daughter named Jenny Lee. But the couple gets divorced in 1963, and Arness was granted legal custody of the children. Next to his is Barbara Anderson, who won the same award for Ironside. Sister of Craig Aurness and Rolf Aurness. He died of natural causes in his Brentwood home in Los Angeles. On her part, Janet Surtees had a son named Jim Surtees before she met Arness. A decade from that time, Janet Surtees remains satisfied to pursue her life out of the spotlight. WebShe was an actress, known for Gunsmoke (1955). We appreciate your support. After dinner, he walked me out to my car and said, Well, Id like to call you,' said Janet. Jenny Lee Arness, the daughter of actor James Arness, committed suicide in 1975, not too long before her 25th birthday. Twitter: @BiographyScoop He died from natural causes. Actor. Born May 23, 1950 Died May 12, 1975 (24) Add photos, demo reels Add to list Known for Gunsmoke 8.1 TV Series Amy Laurie 1964 2 eps Credits IMDbPro Actress Previous 1 Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. We aim to provide a wide range of injection molding services and products ranging from complete molding project management customized to your needs. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. James Arness Legal Statement. Buzzsouthafrica.com copyright 2023. Several Hollywood stars have gone ahead to marry ordinary individuals, and one of them was the late James Arness. His daughter, Jenny, died in 1975, while Chapman passed on two years later. Courtesy ABC Television. Arness was the first man to be called from his landing craft to assess the depth of the sea. James is an actor best known for the TV series and TV movie franchise Gunsmoke. Although Arness was a very famous actor, they avoided the spotlight, limiting their public appearance to the occasional ceremony to honor Arness. James Arness married two women in his lifetime the first, a woman with whom he shared three kids, faded into obscurity after their divorce, but the second lady stood by his side till death parted them. Arness' 20-year prime-time run as the marshal was tied only in recent times, by Kelsey Grammer's 20 years as Frasier Crane from 1984 to 2004 on "Cheers" and then on "Frasier. She would tell me about Jim and their adventures. Dr. Nishimura, an internist in Sacramento said that she suffered from AIDS for about a year. Who Mike Reiss Bio, Age, Wife, Net Worth, Book, The Simpsons, Queer Duck, Brooke Smith Bio, Age, Husband, Children, Family, Net Worth, Height, Movies, Law & Order. They wed in 1948 and had two children, Jenny and Rolf. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. Arnesses appeared in five Gunsm Smoke movies made-for-television between 1987 and 1994. "He's big, impressive and virile," co-star Amanda Blake (Miss Kitty) once said of Arness, adding, "I've worked with him for 16 years, but I don't really know him.". She kept a cool head and that trait that would continue to serve them well into marriage. In that letter, he thanked fans of Gunsmoke for their tremendous support over the years and went ahead to described his wife as a special person. Very sorry to hear another tragedy has hit James Arness and his family. He was very polite and friendly.. After having undergone multiple surgeries, he was honorably discharged from the Army on January 29, 1945. Even though Janet Surtees and James Arness were together for nearly four decades, they never had any children together. Despite living in the spotlight, Surtees and Arness built a long-lasting union and were together for 33 years before the legendary actor passed away in 2011. Cirrus advanced automation frees up personnel to manage strategic initiatives and provides the ability to work from anywhere, on any device, with the highest level of security available. Then one night she said, Well, Jim is coming over for dinner. His 20 year run on the show made him a household name in America and beyond. [20] Four years after his divorce from Virginia Chapman, James Arness met Thordis Brandt, [21] [22] who was his girlfriend for six years before they ended their relationship. Jim is all grown up now but lives his life out of the spotlight. Once there, they engaged in an outdoor picnic and horseback riding before Janet flew back to her home. At Furnel, Inc. our goal is to find new ways to support our customers with innovative design concepts thus reducing costs and increasing product quality and reliability. In the early 60's Arness sued for and got custody of Craig, along with his other 2 children. She later agreed, at least to tell her Gunsmoke fan of a son she met one of the shows stars, and the date turned out to be a wonderful one. Chapman's son from her first marriage, Craig, was adopted by Arness. He is best remembered for his role of 'Marshal Matt Dillon' in the long-running television Western "Gunsmoke" (1955 to 1975). Then, what happened? You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Janet Surtees has kept out of the spotlight since her husbands death. American Actor James Arness was born James King Aurness on 26th May, 1923 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA and passed away on 3rd Jun 2011 Brentwood, California, USA aged 88. Surtees married actor James Arness. James flew Janet back later that day. Guys like Gregory Peck and I don't want a big lug like you towering over us. His body was buried in the Abiding Hope Sanctuary in the Jasmine Terrace portion of the Great Mausoleum at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Rolf inherited a love of surfing from his dad, James, and took it up seriously after suffering a fall at the age of nine. Contribute to this page Suggest an edit or add missing content Learn more about contributing And I thought, Eew, an actor I dont know,' said Janet laughing. His longtime co-stars were Blake as saloon keeper Miss Kitty, Milburn Stone as Doc Adams and Dennis Weaver as the deputy, Chester Goode. WebThe Gunsmoke star was 60 when she died on Aug. 16, 1989, at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento. Nothing happened for three months. In her thinking, he probably had countless girls calling him and therefore had to be the one to call her if he was interested in dating her. So I thought, Well, okay, Ill meet Jim and tell my son I met him,' said Janet. Peter, who changed his last name to Graves, went on to star in the TV series "Mission Impossible. At the time of his death, James was married to his second wife, Janet Surtees; the couple married in 1978. So, basically, the most romantic date ever. Gunsmoke' Star James Arness Dies James Arness He was 88. She survived him. His former wife Virginia also died of a drug overdose in 1977. But I never met him. Arness sits with his wife, Virginia Arness, 23, in 1958. Arness took on a contemporary role as a police officer in the series "McClain's Law," which aired on NBC from 1981-82. Actress: Official Detective. [23] In 1978, Arness married Janet Surtees. The actor experienced even more tragedy when his first wife also died from an overdose of sleeping pills just two years later in 1977 in Malibu, California. At the time of his demise, the late Hollywood icon was married to his second wife Janet Surtees . Instagram: biographyscoop. The union produced two children, a son named Rolf and a daughter named Jenny Lee. Virginia Chapman was born on 14 June 1921 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Gunsmoke: Amanda Blakes Official Cause of Death Wasnt What In the letter, James thanks all of his fans for cheering him on throughout his career. In his first decade as a Western film and television actor, Janet Surtees - Is Janet Surtees Still Alive - Biography The makeup artist discussed Arness with his wife, who owned a clothing store, and the two decided to set the actor up on a date with one of the clothing stores employees named Janet Surtees. Craig Arness was indeed an accomplished fellow before he died in 2004. And here comes this huge man through the door. All Rights Reserved. Arness wrote a letter to his fans that he asked Janet to post on his website after his passing. 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 is most remembered for Gunsmoke, How the West was Won. Gunsmoke actor James Arness dead Arness even looked at how the West was won by McClains Rule. Then on December 16, 1978, Arness married Janet Surtees. James Arness died on the 3rd day of June 2011 in his home, and right by his side was his wife. This could have been for a variety of reasons, but they never lacked love in their lives. Born James Aurness in Minneapolis (he dropped the "u" for show business reasons), he and brother Peter enjoyed a "real Huckleberry Finn existence," Arness once recalled. Family (1) Parents Virginia Chapman James Arness Trivia (4) Daughter of James Arness and Virginia Chapman. All About Harris Faulkners Husband, Who is Janine Tate? The actor was 32 when friend John Wayne declined the lead role in "Gunsmoke" and recommended Arness instead. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. In his later years, he suffered from constant leg pain, which sometimes became acute, which was often initiated while he was on horses. Obviously, Janet accepted. The two met during the last season of Gunsmoke. James Arness died on the 3rd day of June 2011 in his home, and right by his side was his wife. James Arness, the towering actor best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon, the strong and commanding symbol of frontier justice on the landmark TV western series Gunsmoke, died Friday. The night they first met, the two spent the night talking about their families, work, and favorite hobbies. Janet worked there for seven years and grew close with the couple. Janet arrived before Jim and nervously waited for him to arrive. Make your mark in television. The Sad Reason Dennis Weaver Was Written off Gunsmoke - Facts Despite the litany of movies and TV shows he featured in, James Arnesss name will forever be associated with the CBS series Gunsmoke, where he portrayed the laconic, fair-minded, and incorruptible Marshall Matt Dillon of Dodge City. Yet, Dennis Weaver isnt overshadowed by these acting legends. She survived him. KVS and SoftRight customers now have the ability to upgrade to Springbrooks new Cirrus cloud platform: Like his daughter, Arness's first wife, Chapman, died of a drug overdose in 1977, two years after the couple's daughter passed away. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. She was an actress, known for Official Detective (1957), Highway Patrol (1955) and Whirlybirds (1957). I was like, Oh my gosh, he is a big guy,' said Janet with a laugh. It also gave him the chance to meet the eventual love of his life, Janet Surtees. He was 88 years old at the time of his demise. All rights reserved. WebAbout. James Arness IMDb The marriage foundered and in 1963 Arness sought a divorce and custody of the three children, which he was granted. Who is Lexi2legit? Janet Surtees Surtees married her husband, James Arness, on 16 December 1978. He was 88. Why dont you come over and meet him? Amanda Blake Spouse, Divorce, Children, Net Worth What is Janet Surtees doing after her husbands demise? One of the greatest actors, James, passed away on 3rd June 2011. They would appear in 26 episodes between 1976 and 1979. The late James Arness was, without doubt, one of the biggest western icons in Hollywood history, and along with him on his glorious journey was his wife, Janet Surtees. ", The years showed on the weathered-looking Arness, but he -- and his TV character -- wore them well. Marshal Dillon in the 1955-75 CBS Western series, Arness created an indelible portrait of a quiet, heroic man with an unbending dedication to justice and the town he protected. Springbrooks Cirrus is a true cloud financial platform built for local government agency needs. When he and his first wife, Virginia Chapman, divorced, he started to date, which quickly became the news of the town. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Jenny Lee Arness "Fortunately, there aren't many times when show business intrudes on our family existence.". James Arness He took her grocery shopping for dinner items before flying the both of them out on a private plane to his large residence in the mountains. He was a major city police officer in the film, Red River, a remake of the classic Red River in 1948. Legal Statement. Weaver died Friday from complications of cancer at his home in Ridgway, in southwestern Colorado, his publicist, Julian Myers, announced Monday. James Arness was a close associate of John Waynes, and he acted with him in many movies. Janets friend, who owned the dress shop and knew Jim, suggested that Janet call him. However, her sons love for Gunsmoke convinced her to go. [21] Graves and his wife Joan had three daughters: Amanda, Kelly, and Claudia. Luckily, she gave him the benefit of the doubt and went on a second date (three months later) and the two were married for 33 years. He worked for National Geographic in the 70s and 80s and produced several books and stories or them. Thank you very much for reading on VimBuzz.com. Nothing. "A self-described drifter, Arness left home at age 18, hopping freight trains and Caribbean-bound freighters. He tried to guard them from the spotlight. Committed suicide by drug overdose. James Arness Two years later, an overdose that police deemed accidental killed her mother. Another accomplished son that Arness was Rolf Arness. "The camera really loved his face, and with good reason," novelist Wallace Markfield wrote in a 1975 "Gunsmoke" appreciation in The New York Times. After working together for several years, she and the store owner had become When & how actor James Arness died Image: AP Photo Amanda Blake and James Arness reunite at the Golden Boot Awards, August 15, 1986. Image: AP Photo Milburn Stone collects an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor Drama in 1968. She was born in 1946 in the United States of America. James Arness's Wife Died of Drug Overdose. He failed to call her for the next three months, and her employer urged her to reach out. Janet Surtees and James Arness made their home in the Brentwood neighborhood of southern California and were married for 33 years. Market data provided by Factset. Born in 1950, she had trouble with drug use for several years and died of a drug overdose at 25. Gunsmoke actor James Arness dead at 88 SheKnows This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Eric Dane Bio, Age, Wife, Height, Net Worth, Family, Parents, Movies. He also starred in Gunsmoke, a western-themed TV series. From Sports, business, entertainment, to celebrity gossip and so much more, Ngozika has got you covered with the latest gist and happenings as they unfold, Bert Kishs Life Story and Cause of Death, Meet T.Is Blended Family of 7 Children From Multiple Women, Meet Big Meechs Younger Brother, Terry Lee Flenory, Who is Arnetta Yardbourgh? James Arness James Arness died of natural causes at the age of 88 on 3rd June 2011. Janet Surtees firmly stuck to her guns for three months before Arness finally called her. He was 88. Email: The couple married in 1978. The pair had first met while Surtees was an employee at a clothing store. James Arness An initial statement from the hospital and her friends said Blake died of throat cancer. His daughter committed suicide in the 70's, despondent over a broken romance with Gregg Allman. King Charles' coronation: 8 women before Camilla who could have been queen, My mission now is to answer to a higher calling: Granger Smith, Met Gala 2023 highlights barely-there fashion, hot date nights and surprise baby announcements, Princess Charlotte beams ahead of 8th birthday in new photo taken by mom Kate Middleton, Gisele Bndchen makes first Met Gala appearance after Tom Brady divorce, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson celebrate 35 years of marriage with sweet Instagram post: 'Love is everything'. Actor Dennis Weaver Dead At 81 Facebook: thebiographyscoop There are not many details on where he resides or what he does for a living. He moved to Hollywood in 1946 at a friend's suggestion. Your success with Springbrook software is my first priority., 1000 SW Broadway, Suite 1900, Portland, OR 97205 United States, Cloud financial platform for local government, Payment Solution agency savings calculator, Springbrook Survey Shows Many Government Employees Still Teleworking, Springbrook Software Announces Strongest Third Quarter in Companys 35-year History Powered by New Cirrus Cloud Platform, Springbrook Debuts New Mobile App for Field Work Orders, Springbrook Software Releases New Government Budgeting Tool, GovTech: Springbrook Software Buys Property Tax Firm Publiq for ERP, Less training for new hires through an intuitive design, Ease of adoption for existing Springbrook users, Streamlined navigationwithjust a few simple clicks. She died on May 12, 1975 in Malibu, California, USA. She was an actress, known for Gunsmoke (1955). Peter Graves The Norwegian-German Arness had to dye his naturally blond hair darker to Matt Dillons part in the famous TV show. James Arness Wrote a Letter About His Wife Before His Passing. Afraid of being typecast, Arness initially rejected it. Craig Aurness, photographer, son of James Arness Virginia Chapman The couple had a great marriage, and Arness revealed the same in a letter that he posted on his website a few months to his demise. An initial statement from the hospital and her friends said Blake died of throat cancer. or redistributed. Previously, she was married to James Arness and Leo Myron Morton. A post shared by Texas Trail of Fame (@texastrailoffame). During an interview, Janet shares the funny stories behind their romance. He also has six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. He later left Nat Geo to co-found his stock photo agency, Westlight. Janet Surtees Bio and Love Story With Husband of There is also not much information about her date of birth, place of birth, or family background except that her brother and dad worked as pilots. 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. It was a perfect date by any measure, and as such, it came as a rude shock to Janet when Arness stopped all further communication after that date. 21 Engel Injection Molding Machines (28 to 300 Ton Capacity), 9 new Rotary Engel Presses (85 Ton Capacity), Rotary and Horizontal Molding, Precision Insert Molding, Full Part Automation, Electric Testing, Hipot Testing, Welding. The emotionally troubled Virginia Arness attempted suicide twice, in 1959 and in 1960. James Arness Called Wife Best Part ", "Gunsmoke" went on to become the longest-running dramatic series in network history until NBC's "Law & Order" tied in 2010. James Arness Janet Surteess Husband Death Arness died of natural causes at the age of 88 at his Brentwood home in Los Angeles on June 3rd, 2011. James Arness MALIBU, Calif., Aug. 1 (UPI)The death of Virginia Arness, former wife of James Arness, star of the television series Gunsmoke has been ruled an accidental overdose of sleeping pills. Yes, he was tall, handsome, polite, and a famous actor, but he dropped the ball after a super romantic date with his future wife, Janet Surtees. The show has been rebroadcast around Europe a number of times. At Furnel, Inc. we understand that your projects deserve significant time and dedication to meet our highest standard of quality and commitment. All About Shaquille ONeals Ex-girlfriend, All About Jermaine Jacksons Ex-wife, Hazel Gordy, Who is Tony Berlin? The two were inseparable after that and married a few years later. He asked her out again, and she agreed to another date. One night, the owner of the store invited Janet over to meet Jim. But my son was a really big fan of Gunsmoke and was watching it every Monday night. WebFormer wife Virginia died of a drug overdose in 1977. He also described her and his family as the best part of his life. But she died of a drug overdose in 1975. WebAccording to Reuters, Arness died on June 3, 2011, of natural causes at the age of 88 in Los Angeles, California. Children of Celebrities Who Committed Suicide If he wants to call me, he will. Three months later, he finally called. Mandi is an experienced writer on various topics with a passion for telling stories with words. When did Rolf Aurnesss father All rights reserved. However, Wayne would pass on the role and refer it to his friend She and Arness spent the entire night discovering exciting facts about each other and made plans to go on another date the very next day. His work for the magazine earned him several awards from The National Press Photographers Association. James Arnesss Wife Janet Surtees Wiki, Bio He was 88 years old. His body was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. The wealth and fame Arness gained from "Gunsmoke" could not protect him from tragedy in his personal life: His daughter and his former wife, Virginia, both died of drug overdoses. A single mom, Surtees was initially reluctant to go on a date with Arness despite knowing that he was a big acting star. [8] Tags: Star Kid Bruce Boxleitner - True West Magazine His body was buried in the Abiding Hope Sanctuary in the Jasmine Terrace portion of the Great Mausoleum at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. James Arness First Wife It featured a huge star cast such as Robert Ryan, Rock Hudson, Raymond Burr, and James Arness. James Arness When Arness was rounding up work on Gunsmoke in 1975, he was already divorced and had suffered some other heartbreak along his way. James Arness First Wife His funeral was private, and the family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his favorite charity, United Cerebral Palsy. Website: Biographyscoop.com His zodiac sign is Gemini. The popular media widely reported that Blakes doctor claimed that she had actually died of Aids. She died on 29 July 1977 in Malibu, California, USA. They also attended some Gunsmoke conventions in Dodge City and lent their time to assisting various charitable organizations. He entered Beloit College in Wisconsin, but was drafted into the Army in his 1942-43 freshman year. See also WebThe Gunsmoke star was 60 when she died on Aug. 16, 1989, at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento. They helped each other achieve several feats and built a loving home for the children from past relationships. Interview with Amanda Blake However, the hospital and her friends claimed that she died of cancer. He called Janet the next day and asked if he could fly her to the mountains on his private plane (nice move, Jim). WebJenny Lee Arness was born on 23 May 1950 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Janet Surtees came from a humble background, but as can be seen from her relationship with Arness, she remained pretty grounded and did not lose her head because he was some big Hollywood star. She died on 12 May 1975 in Malibu, California, USA. Craig Arness grew up to be a renowned photographer. Then there was a knock at the door. He also became the adoptive father to Virginias son Craig. He adopted her son Jim Surtees. Before Janet, James was married to Virginia Chapman from 1948 until 1963; the couple had three children, Rolf, Craig, and Jenny Lee, who died of suicide in 1975. Arness died of natural causes at his home in Brentwood, said family spokeswoman Ginny Fazer. Jenny Lee Arness He is survived by Janet, his two children, Rolf and Jimmy, six grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. It was tied in 2010 to the last season of Law & Order and tied again in 2018 to the 20th season of Law and Order: SVU. Dennis Weavers first film role was a supporting role as Dandy Taylor in the 1952 film Horizons West. Wounded in the leg during the 1944 invasion at Anzio, Italy, Arness was hospitalized for a year and left with a slight limp. Gunsmoke: Amanda Blakes Official Cause of Death Wasnt What Previous Post WebDied July 29, 1977 Malibu, California, USA (accidental overdose) Spouses James Arness February 12, 1948 - April 5, 1963 (divorced, 2 children) Children Rolf Aurness Did you know Edit Trivia Mother of Craig Aurness, Rolf Aurness and Jenny Lee Arness. Furnel, Inc. is dedicated to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services in a timely manner at a competitive price. But in a 1973 episode, Matt had a brief affair with another woman, Mike Yardner (Michael Learned), while he had amnesia. James Arness