Despite his desire for privacy, a rocky domestic life landed him in the news more than once.Arness met future wife Virginia Chapman while both were studying at Southern California's Pasadena Playhouse. He is a cult figure in many European countries, where he has become much more famous than in the United States. At the time of his death, James was married to his second wife, Janet Surtees; the couple married in 1978. Afraid of being typecast, Arness initially rejected it. Before then, Surtees attended high school and possibly got a college education, but these facts are unknown for sure. He asked her out again, and she agreed to another date. Yet, Dennis Weaver isnt overshadowed by these acting legends. ", 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.". or redistributed. Nothing happened for three months. Weaver died Friday from complications of cancer at his home in Ridgway, in southwestern Colorado, his publicist, Julian Myers, announced Monday. So I thought, Well, okay, Ill meet Jim and tell my son I met him,' said Janet. 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 and Arness spent the entire night discovering exciting facts about each other and made plans to go on another date the very next day. James Arness Called Wife Best Part 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 died on the 3rd day of June 2011 in his home, and right by his side was his wife. We offer full engineering support and work with the best and most updated software programs for design SolidWorks and Mastercam. The two met during the last season of Gunsmoke. She survived him. His funeral was private, and the family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his favorite charity, United Cerebral Palsy. Legal Statement. Image: AP Photo Amanda Blake and James Arness reunite at the Golden Boot Awards, August 15, 1986. Janet Surtees has kept out of the spotlight since her husbands death. She is currently into charity work. Even though Janet Surtees and James Arness were together for nearly four decades, they never had any children together. Market data provided by Factset. He was 88 years old at the time of his demise. Gunsmoke: Amanda Blakes Official Cause of Death Wasnt What It featured a huge star cast such as Robert Ryan, Rock Hudson, Raymond Burr, and James Arness. After working together for several years, she and the store owner had become Furnel, Inc. is dedicated to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services in a timely manner at a competitive price. Arness even looked at how the West was won by McClains Rule. He worked for National Geographic in the 70s and 80s and produced several books and stories or them. Virginia Chapman was born on 14 June 1921 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Janet Surtees We appreciate your support. As at the time that he met his future wife, Janet Surtees, she worked in a clothing store to make a living. Committed suicide by drug overdose. She stoutly refused to do so and insisted on leaving the ball in the actors court. 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. They wed in 1948 and had two children, Jenny and Rolf. One night, the owner of the store invited Janet over to meet Jim. James Arness First Wife 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. I was like, Oh my gosh, he is a big guy,' said Janet with a laugh. James Arness' Second Wife. On July 29, 1977, she died in Malibu, California, USA. Craig Arness grew up to be a renowned photographer. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The night they first met, the two spent the night talking about their families, work, and favorite hobbies. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! He also has six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Before arriving at his home in the mountains, the two stopped at the grocery store because Jim loved food. They picked up bread, cheese, wine, and other goodies. While shopping, Janet noticed a lifesize advertisement with James on it. Surtees married her husband, James Arness, on 16 December 1978. WebThe Gunsmoke star was 60 when she died on Aug. 16, 1989, at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento. He also starred in Gunsmoke, a western-themed TV series. Market data provided by Factset. 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. She would tell me about Jim and their adventures. 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. James flew Janet back later that day. Who is Lexi2legit? For instance, Arness was previously married to Virginia Chapman from 1948 to 1960. James Arness also had a daughter named Jenny Lee. No details exist about who his father is, but Arness gladly accepted Jim into their family, and they all lived together while he was in his formative years. All About Shaquille ONeals Ex-girlfriend, All About Jermaine Jacksons Ex-wife, Hazel Gordy, Who is Tony Berlin? He also became the adoptive father to Virginias son Craig. 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. Courtesy ABC Television. Gunsmoke: James Arness Wife Opens Up About Marriage to Western Icon in 2017 Interview, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZlby3ryXCE, GUNSMOKE I married James Arness with Janet Arness A WORD ON WESTERNS (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZlby3ryXCE). In 1975, Jenny Arness died of an apparently deliberate drug overdose. He later left Nat Geo to co-found his stock photo agency, Westlight. An initial statement from the hospital and her friends said Blake died of throat cancer. Arness was the first man to be called from his landing craft to assess the depth of the sea. 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. And I thought, Eew, an actor I dont know,' said Janet laughing. His close pals figured that he needed some assistance on the dating front, and one of those that took this task to heart was his makeup artist on Gunsmoke. The night they first met, the two spent the night talking about their families, work, and favorite hobbies. Tags: Star Kid Wounded in the leg during the 1944 invasion at Anzio, Italy, Arness was hospitalized for a year and left with a slight limp. Craig Aurness, photographer, son of James Arness Children of Celebrities Who Committed Suicide He was a major city police officer in the film, Red River, a remake of the classic Red River in 1948. Another accomplished son that Arness was Rolf Arness. All About Harris Faulkners Husband, Who is Janine Tate? "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.". 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. James Arness Wrote a Letter About His Wife Before His Passing. WebThe Gunsmoke star was 60 when she died on Aug. 16, 1989, at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento. James Arness First Wife Very sorry to hear another tragedy has hit James Arness and his family. James Arness Sister of Craig Aurness and Rolf Aurness. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Gunsmoke actor James Arness dead I had the privilege of working with so many great actors over the years.".