James Arness, the strapping Western star who played Marshal Matt Dillon in TV's long-running Gunsmoke, died today at age 88.
The actor, who also appeared in more than 30 films, died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles.
A Minnesota native and brother of Mission: Impossible star Peter Graves, Arness was a World War II combat veteran. He originally wanted to be a naval fighter pilot, but his 6-foot-7 frame exceeded the 6-foot-2 limit for the cockpit.
After working as a radio announcer in Minnesota, he moved to LA and got his acting break in 1947 in The Farmer's Daughter with Loretta Young.
(Matt & Deb)
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