R.I.P. Matt Dillon: James Arness of "Gunsmoke" dead at 88

[wfgodot]

James Arness of 'Gunsmoke' fame dies at 88 (newsok.com)

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 was 88.
---
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 ... (so) many loving people and great friends," he wrote.
---
As U.S. 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.
---

much more at newsok.com link above

The Official James Arness Website

 

[MaryLiz]

I just went to post this in the Celebrity forum and it popped up here. Thanks for posting it.

I watched this show as a kid with my family a lot...

RIP

Here's the link from People Magazine.

http://www.people.com/people/articl...Top+Headlines)&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

 

[marycarney]

I NEVER missed Gunsmoke when I ws a kid - my grandpa and I watched it together.

Later in life, I discovered that Peter Graves (Mission: Impossible) was Mr. Arness' brother - and forever after I have tried to picture them each in their brother's role!

 

[tezi]

I am so sorry to hear about this. I loved Gunsmoke.

RIP Mr. Arness and thank you for the wonderful memories.

 

[scandi]

That is sad to hear. He is my 5th cousin from my Mother's side where an Arness married a Boyer. I was always so proud of that growing up as he seemed like the perfect man. When I was 12 we went to a big family reunion in Mn. He was there and we had such fun.

Rest in Peace James xox

 

[Kat]

I loved Gunsmoke as a kid. RIP James.

 

[Lanie]

I teared up when I read this the other day. I am a BIG Gunsmoke fan, and have been ever since I was a kid.

Mr. Arness, you were great, I've always rated you up there with John Wayne, and you will be missed.

RIP

 

[wfgodot]

The varmints look to have succeeded and backed Mr. Dillon down in this scene which includes the classic line "Get out of Dodge."
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ-FMz0W2yg"]YouTube - ‪Gunsmoke clip * "Get out of Dodge"‬‏[/ame]

But of course they really haven't, not for long. Under Marshall Dillon, in Dodge City, in our childhoods, justice always prevailed.

 

[DollyPardonMe]

We never missed Gunsmoke at our home growing up!..You will be missed Mr. Arness..~RIP~