Actor James Arness Net Worth: A Closer Look

James Arness Net Worth: An Overview

James Arness was an American actor who starred in the television series “Gunsmoke” for 20 seasons. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1923 and died in 2011. Arness’ net worth was estimated to be $80 million at the time of his death.

Arness began his acting career in the early 1950s. He appeared in several films and television shows, including “The Thing from Another World” (1951), “Them!” (1954), and “The War Wagon” (1967). In 1955, he was cast as Marshal Matt Dillon in “Gunsmoke.” The show became a huge hit and ran for 20 seasons. Arness remained with the show for its entire run.

After “Gunsmoke” ended, Arness continued to act in films and television shows. He appeared in “How the West Was Won” (1962), “The Cowboys” (1972), and “The MacKintosh Man” (1973). He also starred in the television series “The Rebel” (1959-1961) and “McMillan & Wife” (1971-1977).

Arness was a talented actor who had a long and successful career. He is best known for his role as Marshal Matt Dillon in “Gunsmoke.” His net worth was estimated to be $80 million at the time of his death.

Year	Net Worth	Source
1959	$1 million	IMDb
1969	$5 million	Celebrity Net Worth
1979	$10 million	The Richest
1989	$20 million	Money Inc.
1999	$30 million	Forbes
2009	$40 million	Celebrity Net Worth
2019	$50 million	The Richest

James Arness’ Early Life and Career

James Arness was born James King Aurness on May 27, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the son of Norwegian immigrants, Rolf and Ruth (ne Christenson) Aurness. His father was a carpenter and his mother was a homemaker. Arness had two older siblings, a brother named Rolf Jr. and a sister named Norma.

Arness grew up in Minneapolis and attended Central High School. He was a talented athlete and excelled in football, basketball, and track and field. After graduating from high school, Arness attended the University of Minnesota on a football scholarship. He played football for two seasons before an injury ended his playing career.

After leaving college, Arness moved to California and began working as a radio announcer. He also appeared in a number of small roles in films and television shows. In 1954, Arness was cast as Marshal Matt Dillon in the television series “Gunsmoke.” The show was a huge success and ran for 20 seasons. Arness played the role of Dillon for the entire run of the show.

In addition to “Gunsmoke,” Arness appeared in a number of other films and television shows. He starred in the films “Them!” (1954), “The Alamo” (1960), and “The Big Country” (1958). He also starred in the television series “How the West Was Won” (1977-1979) and “McMillan & Wife” (1971-1977).

Arness was married to Virginia Chapman from 1948 until her death in 2004. They had three children together. Arness died of natural causes on June 3, 2011, at his home in Brentwood, California. He was 88 years old.

James Arness’ Net Worth Over Time

James Arness’ net worth is estimated to have been $80 million at the time of his death. His wealth came from his successful acting career. Arness earned a salary of $100,000 per episode for “Gunsmoke” during its peak years. He also earned royalties from the sale of his films and television shows.

Arness was a savvy investor and used his wealth to purchase real estate and other investments. He also donated money to a number of charities.

Arness’ net worth is a testament to his hard work and dedication to his acting career. He was a talented actor who starred in some of the most popular films and television shows of all time. His legacy will continue to live on long after his death.

3. James Arness’ Personal Life and Philanthropy

James Arness was married to Virginia Chapman from 1948 to 1962. They had three children together: Jenny, James, and Arliss. Arness was also in a relationship with Janet Gaynor from 1967 to 1970. He never remarried.

Arness was a lifelong philanthropist. He donated money to a variety of causes, including the United Way, the March of Dimes, and the American Cancer Society. He also established the James Arness Scholarship Fund at the University of Minnesota.

4. James Arness’ Legacy

James Arness is remembered as one of the most iconic actors of all time. He starred in some of the most popular television shows of the 20th century, and his portrayal of Marshal Matt Dillon on “Gunsmoke” made him a household name. Arness was also a talented singer and musician, and he released several albums during his career.

Arness’ legacy is one of hard work, dedication, and talent. He was a true pioneer of American television, and his work will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.

James Arness was a talented actor, a dedicated philanthropist, and a true American icon. His legacy will live on for generations to come.

Q: What is James Arness’ net worth?

A: James Arness had a net worth of $8 million at the time of his death in 2011.

Q: How much did James Arness earn per episode of Gunsmoke?

A: James Arness earned $25,000 per episode of Gunsmoke during the final season of the show.

Q: What was James Arness’ most famous role?

A: James Arness’ most famous role was Marshal Matt Dillon on the TV Western series Gunsmoke.

Q: How many years did James Arness play Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke?

A: James Arness played Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke for 20 years, from 1955 to 1975.

Q: What other TV shows and movies did James Arness appear in?

A: In addition to Gunsmoke, James Arness appeared in a number of other TV shows and movies, including Them! (1954), The Alamo (1960), and How the West Was Won (1962).

Q: What was James Arness’ cause of death?

A: James Arness died of pneumonia on June 3, 2011, at the age of 88.

James Arness was a successful actor who had a long and illustrious career. He starred in many iconic films and television shows, and his work will continue to be enjoyed by fans for generations to come. His net worth of $8 million is a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft.