James Arness Dies At 88

Above, James Arness as The Thing From Another World.

James Arness, who gained fame as Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke for 20 years, died today of natural causes at his home in Brentwood, California. He was 88.

Gunsmoke ran on CBS starting in 1955 until 1975. Arness was recommended for the role of Matt Dillon by John Wayne after Wayne turned down an offer to play the role himself.

Arness was the older brother of actor Peter Graves, who died last October.

Left, Arness in Them.

Arness also appeared in two 1950s science-fiction classics: Them, about giant mutated ants and in Howard Hawks' The Thing From Another World as the alien.