He was the son of Rolf Aurness and Ruth Duesler who divorced in the 1940s. Add to your scrapbook. Then in 1950, when Peter Graves earned a part in the movie Rogue River, he changed his last name to Graves to distinguish himself from his big brother. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Put away that passportyou don't have to embark on a European excursion to enjoy these 13 of the best presidential quotes for election season. Put the emphasis on big. and Airplane II: The Sequel. 1. The people upstairs decided it was better to leave the show as it was, which I totally agreed with." Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? But, did the talented brothers ever act together? He couldnt return to battle because of the severity of the wounds, and was honorably discharged on the 29th January 1945, but not before receiving the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, and several other decorations, including the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze battle stars. When the Gunsmoke offer came in, he said, I wouldnt be able to do it, but I have a young man here under contract who I think would maybe fit the bill. So he very graciously offered to introduce the first episode. He was originally born Peter Aurness, but changed his name when he started his career in Hollywood. Who would you have cast in 1966 as Batman? Graves who was born as Peter Duesler Aurness on the 18th of March 1926, chose to adopt his maternal family name Graves in honour of his mothers family. Bill, and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. 'Gunsmoke' Star James Arness Dies at Age 88 | Fox News Your email address will not be published. During this time, he became the host of PBS's Discover: The World of Science,[11] based on Discover Magazine. Two years later he appeared next to John Wayne in the crime-drama film Big Jim McLain, and the next year also starred next to John Wayne in the romantic war-drama film Hondo. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. He often talked about watching Gunsmoke whenever he saw it on TV. It became Arness for James. Although he appeared in school plays, he had no interest in performing, and dreamed instead of going to sea. On 6/20/05 he was honored at Los Angeles City Hall by the mayor, the 15 City Council members and the City Attorney with a resolution honoring his life's work as an actor and 60-year resident of Los Angeles. I say theyre not. He was four days away from his 84th birthday. He was a longtime resident of the Brentwood area of Los Angeles, California with his second wife, Janet Surtees. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Peter Graves, up until his death on March 14, 2010, was an American television and film actor. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. The whole package just came together.. There were multiple famous guest stars Kirk, Spock, Bones, and Scotty from Star Trek all appeared on the show. He used the stage name Graves, a maternal family name,[5] to honor his mother's family, and also so as to not be confused with his elder brother James Arness, star of the television series Gunsmoke. I was with his company for three years, and it was just a special time. Arness was born James King Aurness on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, the son of businessman Rolf Aurness and journalist Ruth Duesler. At 20 years, Arness set a record for playing the longest-running role by a single actor in prime time. His elder brother was actor James Arness (1923-2011). Although they were both very active in movies and television at the same time, they never acted together. James altered the family surname to Arness. Did Peter Graves and James Arness get along? - TipsFolder.com He was the older brother of actor Peter Graves. . [on Gunsmoke's cancellation in 1975]: We didn't do a final, wrap-up show. Graves' new surname was a nod to his Minnesota family. He attended public schools and graduated from West High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1942. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is a member of the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. He worked for National Geographic and then started a stock photography agency. Gunsmoke: Did James Arness and His Hollywood Star Brother Ever Act Together? Relationship Statistics of James Arness: What is . (Contrary to urban legend, Wayne himself was never offered the role.) While Arnesss height made it hard for him to be a pilot, it would later come in handy during his days as a leading man in Hollywood. His wounds, which plagued him the rest of his life, resulted in his medical discharge from the army.While recuperating in a hospital in Clinton, Iowa, Arness was visited by his younger brother Peter (later to gain fame as actor Peter Graves), who suggested he take a radio course at the University of Minnesota. More like this. The brothers enjoyed long, successful lives. [8][12], In 1988, a Hollywood writers' strike resulted in a new Mission: Impossible series being commissioned. He was a one-of-a-kind guy. The Tragic Life and Sad Ending of JAMES ARNESS - Old western In the summer of 2009, Graves signed on as a spokesman for reverse mortgage lender American Advisors Group. (1954), is how movie audience may perhaps best remember him. He dropped the "u" when he started acting. A Closer Look At James Arness Family, Long Acting Career - JustRichest He wasnt alone growing up, as he had a younger brother, Peter, who also became a famous actor. After Gunsmoke, Arness starred in How the West Was Won. According to authoritative sources, James net worth in 2011 was estimated at $10 million. He was a rifleman and served in the Battle of Anzio with the 2nd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division. . Arness returned to the news under sad circumstances when his younger brother, Peter Graves, died suddenly after a family luncheon on March 14, 2010. Graves was preceded in stardom by his older brother James Arness, who played Marshal Matt Dillon on TV's Gunsmoke. Wayne was still making box office hits at the time anyway, so it would have been a shocker for him to take a lead part in the then-nascent world of television. He was the recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Arness and Chapman had two children, a daughter as well as a son. This browser does not support getting your location. Then in 1950, when Peter Graves earned a part in the movie Rogue River, he changed his last name to Graves to distinguish himself from his big brother. Try again. 'Gunsmoke': James Arness' Brother Was Actually a Hollywood Star After high school, he attended one semester at Beloit College before receiving his draft notice in 1943. Had appeared in one film nominated for Best Picture Oscar: He never appeared in a theatrical film after 1959. See more ideas about james arness, tv westerns, gunsmoke. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. He also was in its sequel. Graves new surname was a nod to his Minnesota family. He studied for a year at Beloit College in Wisconsin before he was drafted into the United States Army during World War II as an infantryman. pictures of jenny lee arness - fisvo.org Born Peter Aurness, he participated in athletics and was an accomplished musician before beginning his career as a radio announcer, where he utilized his robust speaking voice. American audiences missed out seeing the original Aurness brothers on their TV screens. 100 views, 562 likes, 4 loves, 103 comments, 34 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from PBS: (from the archives of "Pioneers of Television") Peter Graves reveals fascinating tidbits about his brother. 2023 American Profile, All Rights Reserved. Raised as Methodists, James was taught to earn a living from an early age. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They (the network) never told anybody they were thinking of canceling us. Scien June 3, 2011, Los Angeles, California, United States, Beloit College, Washburn High School, John Burrows Grade School, Rolf Aurness, Jenny Lee Aurness, Craig Aurness. Some actors stood on crates while shooting Gunsmoke when they were in scenes with Arness. Fought in the United States Army during World War II, taking part in the landing at Anzio, Italy, where he was wounded. [8], From 1960 to 1961, Graves starred as leading character Christopher Cobb in 34 episodes of the TV series Whiplash. It was a wonderful time through those years. In fact, Arness is the older brother. lines. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Her Bio: Net Worth, Kids, Husband, Weight Loss, House. James Arness Question & Answer page In fact, Arness is the older brother. James attended West High School in Minneapolis. His remains were buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Whos right? When he began performing, Peter Graves, his younger brother, adopted the . [2] After demobilization, Graves enrolled at the University of Minnesota on the G.I. Likewise, his actual body measurements (chest-waist-hip) were 48-36-26 inches. TIMES STAFF WRITER. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Peter Graves Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements I'm 6-6 and weigh 225 pounds. When shooting movies or TV shows, any scenes that required extensive walking would be shot early in the morning, before his feet and knees started giving out. Compilation of both parts of the two-part, This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 01:56. Was James Arness ever a bad guy on Mission:Impossible. James Arness, Marshal on 'Gunsmoke,' Dies at 88 His adopted son, Craig, passed away in 2004 and his daughter Jenny passed away in 1975. Jim Beaver , Other Works Peter Aurness grew up with his older brother James in Minneapolis. William Holden. Failed to delete memorial. 6ft 6 (198.1 cm) American actor, best remembered for roles in TV shows Gunsmoke, How the West Was Won and films such as Big Jim McLain, Island in the Sky, The Sea Chase, Hondo, Gun the Man Down, Horizons West, Carbine Williams, Hellgate and Her Twelve Men. James led a quiet life until his death in 2011 at his home in Brentwood, Los Angeles California USA. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Phelps was the leader of the Impossible Missions Force. Arness suffered a severe leg wound. Peter took up the surname Graves after he started acting. Why did Peter Graves and James Arness have different surnames? He appeared in a production of "Candida" at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, and married his leading lady, Virginia Chapman. Gunsmoke: James Arness Brother Was a Movie Star Who Changed Last Name for Hollywood, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CgB2wl8kcE, Peter Graves/Mission Impossible, brother James Arness and Airplane! Great Mausoleum, Jasmine Terrace, Sanctuary of Abiding Hope, Crypt 16174, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70791188/james-arness. Its Peter Graves. Jenny and Chapman died of drug overdoses in 1975 and 1977, respectively. After Gunsmoke ended in 1975, Arness played Zeb Macahan in How The West Was Won from 1977 to 1979. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. A brief modern police drama, McClain's Law (1981), followed, and Arness played his mentor John Wayne's role in Red River (1988), a remake of the Wayne classic.Following the aforementioned "Gunsmoke" TV movies (the last in 1994, when Arness was 71), Arness basically retired. The family surname was Aurness. The Falcon. He was an actor best known as Jim Phelps in the 1967 to 1973 CBS series Mission: Impossible. Q: Gerry J. The problem that most TV actors like myself have is that were usually offered the small type movies, where they can exploit our name and shoot it on a small financial budget, Arness said in 1962. According to an article on television westerns in "Time" magazine (3/30/59), Arness stood 6' 7", weighed 235 lbs, and had chest-waist-hips measurements of 48-36-36. By SUSAN KING. No. Peter Graves was born in 1920s. Try again later. I would have a scene here, or a little scene there. I say they're not. He is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. However, he usually gave his own height as 6' 6" in interviews. - on why his Gunsmoke character, Marshal Dillon, never married Miss Kitty. Arness was known to be a shy and sensitive man. He was hospitalized for a year and underwent surgeries to correct his leg, which left a limp. Wiki, dating, Where is actress Countess Vaughn from The Parkers now? Feldman introduced Arness to Wayne, who put the self-described 6', 6" actor under personal contract. James Arness Net Worth | Celebrity Net Worth He took the last name of his maternal grandfather. Press Esc to cancel. Peter Graves List of Movies and TV Shows - TV Guide He played Phelps again in 1988-90. Family tree of James ARNESS - Geneastar Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Marshal Matt Dillon on, He was the only actor to appear in all 635 episodes of, Despite the fact that he was friends with. Arness was a Methodist who lived with his family. He was said to be somewhat self-conscious about his stature and quite happy when they took measures to obscure his towering height while filming "Gunsmoke". Many of them I never had a chance to see when we did them because it was (on television) on Saturday night and I was usually out doing something else at the time. He and his brother Peter Graves never acted onscreen together; however, Graves did direct Arness in Gunsmoke: Which Dr. (1966). After appearing on The Farmers Daughter, Arness dropped the u in his name and would be credited as James Arness for the rest of his life. Arness stood 6-foot-7, making him one of the tallest leading men of his era. Peter Graves was the first to pass away. Arness died on June 3, 2011, at age 88 from natural causes. He was Matt Dillon for two decades on the series, then he starred in five more Gunsmoke reunion movies. The family surname was Aurness. Put the emphasis on big. He was best known for his role in Gunsmoke. Husband of Ruth Eleanore Salisbury Duesler. 0 cemeteries found in Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, USA. There was a problem getting your location. Was rightly touted as the tallest leading man in Hollywood, although this title has since been taken by other stars, mainly basketball players turned "actors". Following his death, he was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. After serving in the war, Arness started working in radio in Minneapolis before hitchhiking to Hollywood to pursue acting. Official Sites. Early life. James Arness became Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke in 1955. And it was great. Q: Jerry S. Asked: Did you ever make a movie or TV show in which Peter Graves was also an actor?" A: No. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. He had a lifelong affiliation with the Methodist church. : Science Fiction, the 1950s and Us, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Dramatic Series, Best Continuing Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic or Comedy Series, Best Continuing Performance by an Actor in a Dramatic Series. He is survived by his wife, Janet Surtees of Brentwood, Los Angeles, California; son, Rolf Arness; stepson, Jim Surtees; six grandchildren, and a great grandchild. [24] In 1972, he received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement. And the TV series inspired the Tom Cruise Mission: Impossible movies. A system error has occurred. His mother was of . Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. No. Gaiety George. During his life, Arness had three serious relationships. As for his son, Rolf, he had become a successful surfer. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Further movie roles followed with "Battleground" (1949) and "Sierra" (1950), however his casting (due to his large physical frame) in the title role for the classic science fiction film "The Thing from Another World" (1951), and his part in "Them!"