What Was the Net Worth of James Arness?

James Arness was an American actor who starred in the television series Gunsmoke for 20 seasons. He was also known for his roles in the films The Thing from Another World and Rio Bravo. Arness died in 2011 at the age of 88. In this article, we will explore the net worth of James Arness, including his earnings from his acting career, investments, and other sources of income.

Year	Net Worth	Source
2017	$80 million	Celebrity Net Worth
2016	$75 million	The Richest
2015	$70 million	Money

James Arness’ Early Life and Career

James Arness was born James Angus Aurness on May 18, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the son of Rolf Aurness, a Norwegian immigrant, and Ruth (ne Gudmundsdttir), a first-generation Icelandic American. Arness’ father was a carpenter and his mother was a homemaker. Arness had two younger siblings, Peter and Jane.

Arness attended Central High School in Minneapolis. He was a star athlete in high school, lettering in football, basketball, and track. 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 worked as a radio announcer in Minneapolis. He also appeared in several stage productions. In 1943, Arness enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He served as a radio operator and gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber. Arness was discharged from the military in 1945.

After returning from the war, Arness resumed his acting career. He made his film debut in the 1946 film “The Farmer’s Daughter”. Arness also appeared in several television series, including “The Lone Ranger” (1949-1957), “Gunsmoke” (1955-1975), and “How the West Was Won” (1977-1979).

Arness was a popular actor and he received several awards for his work. He won two Emmy Awards for his role as Marshal Matt Dillon on “Gunsmoke”. Arness was also inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame in 1981.

Arness retired from acting in 1979. He 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. Arness’ net worth increased significantly over the course of his career. He earned a salary of $10,000 per episode for his role on “Gunsmoke”. Arness also earned money from endorsements and licensing deals.

Arness was a savvy investor and he used his money to purchase real estate and businesses. He also donated money to charities.

Arness’ net worth was distributed to his wife, Janet, and their four children after his death.

Here is a breakdown of James Arness’ net worth over time:

• 1946: $100,000
• 1955: $1 million
• 1965: $5 million
• 1975: $10 million
• 1985: $20 million
• 1995: $30 million
• 2005: $40 million
• 2011: $80 million

What Was The Net Worth Of James Arness?

James Arness was an American actor who had a net worth of $8 million at the time of his death in 2011. Arness was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1923. He began his acting career in the early 1940s, appearing in a number of films and television shows. His most famous role was as Marshal Matt Dillon on the long-running Western series “Gunsmoke”. Arness appeared in over 60 films and television shows during his career. He died of natural causes in 2011 at the age of 88.

James Arness’ Early Life and Career

James Arness was born James Aurness on May 27, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the son of Norwegian immigrants, Rolf and Ruth (ne Christenson) Aurness. Arness’ father was a carpenter and his mother was a homemaker. Arness had two older sisters, Ruth and Audrey.

Arness attended Central High School in Minneapolis. He was a talented athlete and played football, basketball, and baseball. After graduating from high school, Arness attended the University of Minnesota for one year. He then enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Arness served as a gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber. He flew 20 missions over Europe and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After the war, Arness returned to Minnesota and resumed his acting career. He appeared in a number of films and television shows in the early 1950s. In 1955, Arness was cast as Marshal Matt Dillon on the Western series “Gunsmoke”. The series was a huge success and ran for 20 seasons. Arness starred in “Gunsmoke” until 1975.

James Arness’ Later Life and Death

After “Gunsmoke” ended, Arness continued to act in films and television shows. He appeared in the films “Them!” (1954), “The Comancheros” (1961), “The Alamo” (1960), and “The Big Country” (1958). He also starred in the television series “How the West Was Won” (1978) and “The Macahans” (1976).

Arness retired from acting in 1992. He died of natural causes in his sleep on June 3, 2011, at the age of 88. He was survived by his wife, Janet Surtees, and their two children, Jenny and Craig.

James Arness’ Legacy

James Arness was one of the most popular actors of his time. He is best known for his role as Marshal Matt Dillon on the long-running Western series “Gunsmoke”. Arness’ portrayal of Dillon was iconic and helped to define the Western genre.

Arness was also a talented actor and appeared in a number of other films and television shows. He was a versatile actor who could play a variety of roles. Arness’ legacy is one of a talented actor who starred in one of the most popular television shows of all time.

Sources

• [James Arness Biography](https://www.biography.com/actor/james-arness)
• [James Arness Death and Legacy](https://www.history.com/news/james-arness-death-gunsmoke-marshal-matt-dillon)
• [James Arness Filmography](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000144/)

  What was the net worth of James Arness?

James Arness had a net worth of $8 million at the time of his death in 2011. He earned his wealth through his long and successful career as an actor. Arness starred in a number of popular television shows, including “Gunsmoke” and “How the West Was Won.” He also appeared in a number of films, including “Them!” and “The Cowboys.”

How much did James Arness make per episode of Gunsmoke?

James Arness earned $25,000 per episode of “Gunsmoke.” This was a very high salary for an actor in the 1960s and 1970s. Arness’ salary reflected his popularity and the success of the show.

What was James Arness’ most famous role?

James Arness’ most famous role was as Marshal Matt Dillon on the television show “Gunsmoke.” Arness played the role for 20 years, from 1955 to 1975. “Gunsmoke” was one of the most popular shows in television history, and Arness’ portrayal of Dillon is considered to be one of the most iconic roles in Western history.

Did James Arness have any other notable roles?

In addition to his role on “Gunsmoke,” James Arness also starred in a number of other notable films and television shows. He appeared in the films “Them!” (1954), “The Cowboys” (1972), and “The Electric Horseman” (1979). He also starred in the television shows “How the West Was Won” (1977-1979) and “The Macahans” (1976-1978).

What was James Arness’ cause of death?

James Arness died of pneumonia on June 3, 2011, at the age of 88. He had been in declining health for several years. Arness was survived by his wife, Janet Surtees, and their two children.

James Arness had a net worth of $8 million at the time of his death. He was one of the most successful actors of his generation, and his work on Gunsmoke helped to make him a household name. Arness was also a talented singer and musician, and he released several albums during his career. He was a private man who lived a quiet life away from the spotlight, but his legacy as an actor will continue to live on for generations to come.