Here is CNN's Brook Anderson with a brief look back at the life and career of James Arness.
Even though the role of US Marshall Matt Dillon was originated on radio in 1952 by William Conrad, and for some is still the quintessential version, James Arness was picked to bring the character to the little screen in 1955. He played that role until the end of the show in 1975 (at the time the longest running prime time show in tv history) and made a few "Gunsmoke" tv movies in the 80s where again he saddled up at the US Marshall. He was even prouder of his time spent in the US military during WWII where he was wounded in Anzio.
On a personal note, Gunsmoke, was my dad's favorite western and when I was very young I remember being quite aggravated that every monday night we had to watch Gunsmoke. Now I look back with fondness of that time with my dad and hope that kids will look back and remember something like that when they are grown.
Here is the episode of Gunsmoke, Hinka Do, which aired in Season 5, episode 21, January 30th 1960. Originally aired on radio in season 1 episode 24 October 10th 1952.
