Born James Aurness on May 26, 1923 in Minneapolis, MN Died June 3, 2011 in Brentwood, Calif. James Arness became a virtual real-life hero to millions as the brave and gallant Matt Dillon, the marshal of Dodge City, on the landmark CBS western series "Gunsmoke." In a 2001 memoir, the 6-foot-7 actor wrote of a happy childhood growing up with his younger brother, actor Peter Graves, in Minneapolis. During World War II, Arness won a Bronze Star and Purple Heart as a private in the 3rd Infantry Divis