James ARNESS was an American actor best known for his role as Marshal Matt Dillon in the long-running television series Gunsmoke. He starred in the show from 1955 to 1975, making him one of the longest-serving actors in a dramatic role. ARNESS also appeared in several films, including The Sea Chase, Them!, and Big Jim McLain. He was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City in 1996.