Quotes
 Matt Dillon was the kind of guy who`s low-key but stands for what is right, ... And he goes about seeing that things turn out that way — with, of course, a lot of people suffering along the way. They sort of made a point of that, which I thought was right,
(thinkexist.com)
It is a very sad time and a big loss for me personally. He provided comic relief but was also a real person doing things that were very important to the show.
(thinkexist.com)
I feel I was the luckiest guy in the world to be part of this show,
(thinkexist.com)
We went right up to the top and stayed there for the first six years when Dennis was on. Those were our highest-rated years. Dennis and I became over the years fast friends and stayed friends through the last 50 years.
(thinkexist.com)
I had the pleasure of knowing Ronald Reagan before he became Governor of California. He was a truly great human being and we usually spent our time together reminiscing about mutual friends. He will be missed by all who knew him and by a nation that will mourn with us.
(imdb.com)
If they were man and wife, it would make a lot of difference. The people upstairs decided it was better to leave the show as it was, which I totally agreed with. - on why his Gunsmoke character, Marshal Dillon, never married Miss Kitty.
(imdb.com)
It is a very sad time and a big loss for me personally.
(thinkexist.com)
Matt Dillon was the kind of guy who`s low-key but stands for what is right. And he goes about seeing that things turn out that way -- with, of course, a lot of people suffering along the way.
(thinkexist.com)
It was ridiculous that they even went to Wayne. He was the biggest Western movie star of all time, and they must have known he couldn`t take it.
(thinkexist.com)
As any policeman today will tell you, it`s not the idea of getting the first shot off, it`s hitting your target. Often the first guy that shoots misses.
(thinkexist.com)
Trivia
Member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
(imdb.com)
Honorary United States Marshal, "in recognition of his unique contribution to the image and traditions of the U.S. Marshal's Service".
(imdb.com)
Very, very often during his career, this huge actor was surrounded by co-stars standing on apple boxes or had to perform standing in a ditch just so he could be in a shot.
(imdb.com)
Inducted (as a cast member of "Gunsmoke" (1955)) into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1981.
(imdb.com)
Has two sons: Craig Aurness and Rolf Aurness.
(imdb.com)
He was the tallest actor ever to play a lead role until Brad Garrett (6' 8 1/2") in "Til Death".
(imdb.com)
Did not attend the premiere of The Thing from Another World (1951) because he found his role as the Thing embarrassing. He often remarked that he felt his make up as "The Thing" made him look like a giant carrot.
(imdb.com)
Became U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon on "Gunsmoke" (1955) after John Wayne, originally offered the role, turned it down and suggested Arness to play it.
(imdb.com)
Attended Beloit College.
(imdb.com)
Held the record for the longest continuous role portrayed by a single actor (20 years) on prime-time television (for Marshal Matt Dillon on the CBS western "Gunsmoke" (1955)), until Kelsey Grammer (Dr. Frasier Crane on "Cheers" (1982) and "Frasier" (1993)) tied the record in 2004 (at 20 years).
(imdb.com)
Made four movies with John Wayne during the 1950s. He was also originally cast in Rock Hudson's role opposite Wayne in The Undefeated (1969).
(imdb.com)
His daughter, Jenny Lee Arness, committed suicide on May 12, 1975.
(imdb.com)
On June 20, 2003, Arness 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. The colorful resolution included a depiction of a U.S. Marshal's badge and a salute to his work as Matt Dillon on "Gunsmoke" (1955) and its over-20-year duration as TV's longest-running drama series. It also recalled his heroism during World War II and thanked him for "leaving us with one of the most telling and realistic portraits ever created of the brave, tall man in the saddle who tames a western town as he searches for justice and peace." Arness called it "the most wonderful day in his life" and says the resolution is now framed and in a prominent place in his home. By the way, he received a standing ovation that morning.
(imdb.com)
According to an article on TV westerns in Time Magazine (March 30, 1959), Arness stood 6' 7", weighed 235 lbs, and had chest-waist-hips measurements of 48-36-36
(imdb.com)
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."
(imdb.com)
His status as a Republican disappointed Lady Bird Johnson, who was a fan of "Gunsmoke" (1955).
(imdb.com)
An infantry soldier during World War II, Arness took part in the landings at Anzio, Italy. It was during this battle that he was shot in the foot and wound up losing part of it, an injury that made it difficult for him to walk for extended stretches. 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.
(imdb.com)
Brother of actor Peter Graves.
(imdb.com)
WWII,US Army, Wounded at Anzio. Purple Heart and Bronze Star
(IMDB)
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