He entered Beloit College in Wisconsin, but was drafted into the Army in his 1942-43 freshman year. Interview with Amanda Blake However, the hospital and her friends claimed that she died of cancer. When Weaver died in February 2006, Arness called it "a big loss for me personally" and said Weaver "provided comic relief but was also a real person doing things that were very important to the show. Even though Janet Surtees and James Arness were together for nearly four decades, they never had any children together. She stoutly refused to do so and insisted on leaving the ball in the actors court. Committed suicide by drug overdose. At Furnel, Inc. we understand that your projects deserve significant time and dedication to meet our highest standard of quality and commitment. 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. A: Matt Dillon (James Arness) and Kitty (Amanda Blake) never married during the series 1955-75 run, although close watchers of the show were convinced they had connected at some time. Tags: Star Kid [23] In 1978, Arness married Janet Surtees. For instance, Arness was previously married to Virginia Chapman from 1948 to 1960. 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. 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. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. "The camera really loved his face, and with good reason," novelist Wallace Markfield wrote in a 1975 "Gunsmoke" appreciation in The New York Times. The marriage foundered and in 1963 Arness sought a divorce and custody of the three children, which he was granted. Arnesses appeared in five Gunsm Smoke movies made-for-television between 1987 and 1994. At the time of his demise, the late Hollywood icon was married to his second wife Janet Surtees . 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. Afraid of being typecast, Arness initially rejected it. Furnel, Inc. is dedicated to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services in a timely manner at a competitive price. Legal Statement. After working together for several years, she and the store owner had become James Arness In 1976, a year after his first Western role on Gunsmoke, Bruce Boxleitner (right) was cast as Luke Macahan, the son of James Arness (left) in the ABC television series How the West was Won. Gunsmoke actor James Arness dead at 88 SheKnows This was a Western film that took place shortly after the Civil War. It Took James Arness Three Months To Call His Wife. Luckily, Janet didnt hold a grudge and the two went on a second date. The emotionally troubled Virginia Arness attempted suicide twice, in 1959 and in 1960. Rolf inherited a love of surfing from his dad, James, and took it up seriously after suffering a fall at the age of nine. 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. Actress: Official Detective. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Who You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! 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. Obviously, Janet accepted. Once there, they engaged in an outdoor picnic and horseback riding before Janet flew back to her home. Then, what happened? I had the privilege of working with so many great actors over the years.". Instagram: biographyscoop. The actor also adopted Virginias son from an earlier relationship named Craig. Very sorry to hear another tragedy has hit James Arness and his family. He also became the adoptive father to Virginias son Craig. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. A post shared by Texas Trail of Fame (@texastrailoffame). James Arness Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. James Arness WebFormer wife Virginia died of a drug overdose in 1977. Previous Post He died of natural causes in his Brentwood home in Los Angeles. 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. So, basically, the most romantic date ever. He was 88. She died on 12 May 1975 in Malibu, California, USA. She was previously married to James Arness and Leo Myron Morton. James Arness is a member of the following lists: American film actors, American James Arness Arness died of natural causes at the age of 88 at his Brentwood home in Los Angeles on June 3rd, 2011. His body was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Dennis Weavers first film role was a supporting role as Dandy Taylor in the 1952 film Horizons West. James Arness died on the 3rd day of June 2011 in his home, and right by his side was his wife. During an interview, Janet shares the funny stories behind their romance. Jim is all grown up now but lives his life out of the spotlight. All rights reserved. Janet Surtees firmly stuck to her guns for three months before Arness finally called her. Ask your rep for details. The actor was 32 when friend John Wayne declined the lead role in "Gunsmoke" and recommended Arness instead. He was 88 years old at the time of his demise. He asked her out again, and she agreed to another date. After dinner, he walked me out to my car and said, Well, Id like to call you,' said Janet. She survived him. Then one night she said, Well, Jim is coming over for dinner. Family (1) Parents Virginia Chapman James Arness Trivia (4) Daughter of James Arness and Virginia Chapman. Janets friend, who owned the dress shop and knew Jim, suggested that Janet call him. "A self-described drifter, Arness left home at age 18, hopping freight trains and Caribbean-bound freighters. They dated for a few years before tying the knot in 1978. What is Janet Surtees doing after her husbands demise? The night they first met, the two spent the night talking about their families, work, and favorite hobbies. On her part, Janet Surtees had a son named Jim Surtees before she met Arness. revealing behind-the-scenes-photos from Gunsmoke James Arness WebJenny Lee Arness was born on 23 May 1950 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Surtees married her husband, James Arness, on 16 December 1978. Eric Dane Bio, Age, Wife, Height, Net Worth, Family, Parents, Movies. Legal Statement. She was an actress, known for Official Detective (1957), Highway Patrol (1955) and Whirlybirds (1957). Image: AP Photo Milburn Stone collects an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor Drama in 1968. ", The cancellation of "Gunsmoke" didn't keep Arness away from TV for long: He returned a few months later, in January 1976, in the TV movie "The Macahans," which led to the 1978-79 ABC series "How the West Was Won.". James Arness James flew Janet back later that day. James Arness Called Wife Best Part 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 funeral was private, and the family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his favorite charity, United Cerebral Palsy. Chapman's son from her first marriage, Craig, was adopted by Arness. If he wants to call me, he will. Three months later, he finally called. They wed in 1948 and had two children, Jenny and Rolf. [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. He called Janet the next day and asked if he could fly her to the mountains on his private plane (nice move, Jim). 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. Arness died of natural causes at his home in Brentwood, said family spokeswoman Ginny Fazer. He played a part in McClains Rule, a short-lived 1981-1982 film, co-starring Marshall Colt. He returned to Minneapolis to work as a radio announcer and in small theater roles. They quickly picked up from where they left off and resumed a serious relationship. Craig Arness was indeed an accomplished fellow before he died in 2004. The series was the longest-running primetime drama series in the history of US broadcasting. Image: AP Photo Amanda Blake and James Arness reunite at the Golden Boot Awards, August 15, 1986. Virginia Chapman This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, During the Battle of Anzio, he was seriously injured in his right thigh. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. It featured a huge star cast such as Robert Ryan, Rock Hudson, Raymond Burr, and James Arness. 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. "It was a face that would age well and that, while aging, would carry intimations of waste, loss and futility.". Janet is 75 years old as of January 2021. Furnel, Inc. has been successfully implementing this policy through honesty, integrity, and continuous improvement. She was an actress who appeared in films such as Official Detective (1957), Highway Patrol (1955), and Medic (1954). His military awards included the Golden Star, the Purple Heart, the European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with three bronze battle stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Fighting Infantryman Badge. Facebook: thebiographyscoop Market data provided by Factset. She died on May 12, 1975 in Malibu, California, USA. Janet Surtees has kept out of the spotlight since her husbands death. Actor. Two years later, an overdose that police deemed accidental killed her mother. 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. The night they first met, the two spent the night talking about their families, work, and favorite hobbies. The show has been rebroadcast around Europe a number of times. He received 100 stitches to his lower lip during his stay. Who is Selena Green Vargas and What Happened To Her? Although Arness was a very famous actor, they avoided the spotlight, limiting their public appearance to the occasional ceremony to honor Arness. In his first decade as a Western film and television actor, Born in 1950, she had trouble with drug use for several years and died of a drug overdose at 25. His zodiac sign is Gemini. WebVirginia Chapman. As at the time that he met his future wife, Janet Surtees, she worked in a clothing store to make a living. 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. Actor Dennis Weaver Dead At 81