He died in 2010 at the age of 83. Jenny and Chapman died of drug overdoses in 1975 and 1977, respectively. Phelps group always went undercover to get the bad guys. James Arness became Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke in 1955. Peter Graves was born Peter Duesler Aurness on March 18, 1926, in Minneapolis, Minnesota,[3][4] the son of Rolf Cirkler Aurness (18941982), a businessman, and his wife Ruth (ne Duesler, died 1986), a journalist. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Who would you have cast in 1966 as Batman? In reality, Wayne suggested Arness for the part and even introduced the first episode of Gunsmoke. No. His odd gait and his drawling "Mis-ter Dil-lon" gave him a memorable on-screen presence - even in the shadow of the 6-foot-7 Arness, who played Marshal Dillon. Arness died on June 3, 2011, at age 88 from natural causes. Sorry! He launched his career in entertainment as a radio announcer in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1945, and marked his motion picture debut two years later in the film "The Farmer's Daughter". Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. "Actor Peter Graves was hospitalized Tuesday in intensive care", "Peter Graves dies at 83; star of TV's 'Mission: Impossible", "Peter Graves, 'Mission: Impossible' Star, Dies at 83", "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peter_Graves&oldid=1139423135. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Early life. He was originally born Peter Aurness, but changed his name when he started his career in Hollywood. In 1958 (the same year he attained American citizenship) he tied the knot with his second wife, Alisande Ullman, with whom he had two daughters: Maura and Thea Nielsen. After two years in the United States Army Air Force, he studied drama at the University of Minnesota and then headed to . Please enter your email and password to sign in. He was one of the most enduring stars, having portrayed roles in both television and cinema. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. James Arness had originally taught his son to surf after he had a nasty fall which left him with a serious skull fracture. His mother was of . Graves had an elder brother, James Arness, who was also an actor. The theme song will take you back in time: In later years, Graves starred as Captain Clarence Oveur in the 1980 comedy Airplane!. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Mr. Arness's younger brother was the actor Peter Graves, who starred for years on . Have they ever starred together?-P.L. Arness served as a rifleman in the United States Army during World War II with the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division, and was severely . James Arness . His best friend and younger brother Peter Graves, . This is a carousel with slides. Before he was a successful actor, he was a radio announcer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The people upstairs decided it was better to leave the show as it was, which I totally agreed with." A lot of it was through the Depression years, when things were tough, but my dad always had a job. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. James led a quiet life until his death in 2011 at his home in Brentwood, Los Angeles California USA. He had a son, Rolf, and daughter, Jenny, with Chapman. Then in 1950, when Peter Graves earned a part in the movie Rogue River, he changed his last name to Graves to distinguish himself from his big brother. His injury made it difficult for him to walk for extended stretches. While growing up in Minnesota, he excelled at sports and music (as a saxophonist), and by age 16, he was a radio announcer at WMIN in Minneapolis. The films that have been featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000 include SST: Death Flight, It Conquered the World, Beginning of the End,[15] and Parts: The Clonus Horror. In fact, Arness is the older brother. Your wife wins this one. He was Jim Phelps from 1967 to 1973. It was Norwegian. After studying drama at the University of Minnesota, he followed his older brother James Arness into the entertainment industry, when he. There is a longstanding rumor that John Wayne was considered for the part of Matt Dillon, but he turned it down. The family surname was Aurness. Your wife wins this one. They (the network) never told anybody they were thinking of canceling us. Arness has the distinction of having played the role of Dillon in five decades: 1955 to 1975 in the weekly series, then in Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge (1987) and four more made-for . Verify and try again. He was four days away from his 84th birthday. James Arness became an extremely well-known name in Hollywood and across the world after starring as Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke. His name was so familiar that his brother even decided to change his name to avoid confusion. Wayne felt Arness had deliberately snubbed his film, and never really forgave him. Price in the movie Stalag 17 (1953), directed by Billy Wilder and starring William Holden. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Had appeared in one film nominated for Best Picture Oscar: He never appeared in a theatrical film after 1959. While in high school he was a courier for a jewelry wholesaler. Publicity Listings Oops, we were unable to send the email. He's 3 years older and 3 inches taller." I'm bigger. Peter Graves (born Peter Duesler Aurness; March 18, 1926 March 14, 2010) was an American actor who portrayed Jim Phelps in the CBS television series Mission: Impossible from 1967 to 1973 and in its revival from 1988 to 1990. James Arness passed away on June 3, 2011, just one week after he celebrated his 88th birthday. It was a real privilege really to be around the man and to know him. Peter Graves, up until his death on March 14, 2010, was an American television and film actor. Though seemingly headed for success in radio, he followed a boyhood friend's suggestion and went with the friend to Hollywood to find work as a film extra. Born James and Peter Aurness in Minneapolis, the Gunsmoke star-to-be later modified the spelling of his last name to Arness and Peter chose to use their mother's maiden name of Graves. Arness had hoped to serve as a pilot but thought his poor eyesight would be a problem. He was hoping the physical exercise would help speed up his recovery. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. James Arness became Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke in 1955. He played the character Marshal Matt Dillon. Peter Graves. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. They had three children, one of whom, Jenny Lee, committed suicide in 1975. He is survived by his wife, Janet Surtees of Brentwood, Los Angeles, California; son, Rolf Arness; stepson, Jim Surtees; six grandchildren, and a great grandchild. He was the older brother of actor Peter Graves. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. How are James Arness and Peter Graves related? [20] He was married to Joan Endress Graves for 60 years from 1950 until his death. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. His elder brother was actor James Arness (1923-2011). Nov. 1, 2001 12 AM PT. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Incredibly, although he played a Western hero for most of his life, the leg injury made it impossible for him to ride a horse. When 88 year old James Arness, passed away on June 11,2011 he known for his landmark role given to him by his friend John Wayne. He . [9] He played opposite Robert Mitchum, Jan Michael Vincent, Deborah Winters and Ali MacGraw in what became in 1983, the second-most watched miniseries of all time (after Roots). [16] The videos were part of an AirTran Airways campaign to promote their in-flight wireless internet access.[16]. 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". When shooting movies or television shows, any scenes that required extensive walking would be shot early in the morning, before his feet and knees started giving out. Arness suffered a severe leg wound. [24] In 1972, he received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement. Graves himself parodied his Biography work in the film Men in Black II, hosting an expos television show. Actor: Stalag 17. He was hospitalized for a year and underwent surgeries to correct his leg, which left a limp. He was originally born Peter Aurness, but changed his name when he started his career in Hollywood. Who was bigger James Arness or Clint Walker? https://americanprofile.com/articles/james-arness-peter-graves/, https://americanprofile.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/peter_graves_james_arness-150x150.jpg. The best campsites in the country with incredible viewssome might be closer than you think. Death: July 26, 1982 (88) Simi Valley, Ventura, California, United States. Learn more about managing a memorial . Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. James Arness (born James King Aurness; May 26, 1923 - June 3, 2011) was an American actor, best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon for 20 years in the CBS television series Gunsmoke.Arness has the distinction of having played the role of Dillon in five decades: 1955 to 1975 in the weekly series, then in Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge (1987) and four more made-for-television Gunsmoke films . View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro, Heroic Purple Heart Awarded Actors and Actresses. Try again later. Rolf's father, Peter Aurness, changed his name to Arness when he emigrated from Norway in 1887. His adopted son, Craig, passed away in 2004 and his daughter Jenny passed away in 1975. Had to dye his naturally blond hair for the role of Matt Dillon, since dark hair was considered more masculine. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Peter Graves stood 6-foot-2, while James Arness, at 6-7, towered over everyone. It became Arness for James. He passed away on June 3, 2011, just one week after he celebrated his 88th birthday. After playing mainly serious roles in the 1970s, he appeared as Captain Clarence Oveur in the early 1980s comedies Airplane! 11 James Arness was born in Minneapolis . Likewise, his actual body measurements (chest-waist-hip) were 48-36-26 inches. Graves also starred in the British ITC series Court Martial, playing U.S. Army lawyer Major Frank Whittaker (one of the series' two American leads starring opposite Bradford Dillman's Captain David Young), as well as guest roles in such series as Alfred Hitchcock Presents,[7] Cimarron City, Route 66, and The Invaders (episode "Moonshot"). [4], On March 6, 1984, Graves was hospitalized at Tahoe Forest Hospital for a fractured jaw among other injuries sustained from a fall on an icy Lake Tahoe road the previous weekend. Yes, Rolf Aurness is the father of Peter Graves and James Arness. He died from natural causes. Hold it, it's time to talk about The Marshall of Dodge City, Matt Dillon, Justice incarnate. He worked for National Geographic and then started a stock photography agency. His adopted son, Craig, died in 2004 and his daughter Jenny died in 1975. When the Gunsmoke offer came in, he said, I wouldnt be able to do it, but I have a young man here under contract who I think would maybe fit the bill. So he very graciously offered to introduce the first episode. The Falcon. 10. The 1960s version of the pilot, according to Patrick White in The Complete Mission: Impossible Dossier (which White reports was actually the second such pilot, but Graves was not involved in the first), is credited with winning Graves the role of Phelps; after Mission: Impossible ended in 1973, Graves filmed a third version of the pilot (this one structured as a made-for-TV movie), but it did not sell as a series. During the invasion of Anzio, Italy in 1944, his right leg was shattered by machine-gun fire, resulting in his losing part of his foot. - On. 1. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. He received the Bronze Star; the Purple Heart; the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze campaign stars; the World War II Victory Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge. [17] Graves' final project was narrating the computer game epic Darkstar: The Interactive Movie,[18] released November 5, 2010. James Arness Personal Life: Affair, Dating, Girlfriend, Wife, Family & Children. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CgB2wl8kcE). To make up for the lost role, an actor . A little over a year later, Arness passed away in his sleep at his Brentwood home on June 3, 2011. Then in 1950, when Peter Graves earned a part in the movie Rogue River, he changed his last name to Graves to distinguish himself from his big brother.