Biography -James Arness, Matt Dillon of Gunsmoke -

[@platoonboss]

After this episode I wrote to Jim and ordered a copy of his biography. I told him that he was one of the main reasons that I became a police officer, watching Gunsmoke growing up. He wrote a wonderful full page dedication to me at the front of the book. What a wonderful man he was. His brother, Peter Graves came back to host this episode and makes a kind message to Jim at the end of the show, but unfortunately the closing scene isn’t shown in this recording.

[@sugarblossom3141]

Thanks for posting ! Love Jim Arness 💜

[@rosemariemedrano4699]

I just love this show.

[@michaelwpaulin4876]

My favorite Hollywood guy!! Best show on TV ever!! I ended up buying every episode on DVD. I plan on passing it on to my Son.. James Arness was a great humble man in real life..

[@prycerobertson4695]

What led Jenny Arness to overdose on drugs was the fact that her then-boyfriend Gregg Allman had dumped her for Cher. When she saw the couple on TV, that was the last straw.

[@brorob78]

So sad

[@desmien679]

As her nephew I can say that it was what led to a decline in her mental health but wasn't the final factor of her death. At the time her and her roommate were renting a room with my father's best friend. At one point they weren't able to pay the phone bill so her and her roommate made a pact to do it with sleeping pills. My grandfather found them and got them some help which saved them that night. Unfortunately they repeated it again the next day.

[@scoobymc3375]

James Arness is my man.

[@Townsendcat2]

A great man and actor!!! I love gun smoke and it’s still amazing in 2022!!! And I am not super old!!47!! I hope some young people give this show a look!!!! It’s amazing!!!!💯✊🛠🍀💕☮️🌊🐟🎯🌎Rip all of the cast except newly is still here!!!

[@ChadQuick270W]

I enjoy westerns but Gunsmoke will always be my favorite. Marshall Dillon was a man’s man. Someone people could look up to and admire and of course the ladies liked him. My favorite was of course Miss Kitty ❤

[@prycerobertson4695]

Contrary to popular belief, Chester Goode was never actually a deputy. That honor goes to Ken Curtis' Festus Haggen, who first appeared in an episode during the 8th season and became a regular character by early 1964. Chester was more of an errand boy who would do things such as mop floors even though he would accompany Matt in capturing bad guys, and lock them up.

[@prycerobertson4695]

The closest Matt and Kitty came to sharing a kiss was in season 17's "P.S. Murry Christmas".

[@michaelproctor8100]

I don't remember the name of the episode, it was one of the half-hour ones and it was Christmas time. Kitty kisses Matt on the cheek, but he doesn't kiss her back, just smiles.

[@brorob78]

Murry Christmas

[@garymorris5974]

I could smoke a pickle

[@Sojourning_]

I still recall my mom, late at night, everyone is gone to be, She be up watching Gun Smoke, I say mom, come on, it's well past bed time. Nop she wasn't going to miss one second of it, Of all things about the show, I loved the closing at the end of the show, You see his Holster and gun hanging on a peg on the wall, For what ever the reason was, I just loved to see that. Of course, now I'm the old man, at 75, I still enjoy seeing Gun smoke on TV, along with the Andy Griffith show. The Lord Bless you and yours