In the acting industry, there is always the next big name. Fans cannot help themselves but anticipate when such names are the protagonists in upcoming films or television series. However, certain personalities hardly extinguish their light and are relevant for decades.
James Arness was one such uniquely talented American actor. He was once a domineering name in American television because of his impeccable acting skills. Unfortunately, he died on June 3, 2011, leaving millions accumulated from his long and successful career. What was James Arness’ net worth at the time of his death?
When you think about the CBS television series Gunsmoke, it is impossible not to remember Marshall Matt Dillon, played by James Arness. He executed the role for two decades and impressed fans with his remarkable acting prowess.
He did pretty well in other productions and singlehandedly built his incredible reputation in the entertainment industry. Considering his success, he likely had a massive estate during his death. So how much was James Arness worth?
What was James Arness’ net worth when he died?
James Arness’ net worth at his death was estimated to be $8 million at the time of his death. In addition, he had appeared in numerous movies and television shows in his long career, which earned him a good salary. How did James Arness make his money? As mentioned above, James’ primary source of income was his films. He gained popularity in the space for his remarkable presentations on the screen. And Gunsmoke was one of the most notable productions of his career.
How much did James Arness make in Gunsmoke?
James Arness earned himself $1,200 per episode for playing Marshal Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke during its early years. Later, after the television show earned awards and gained more popularity, he negotiated his contract and started making $20,000 an episode. Today, this would have been around $150,000. In 1987, James reprised his role in Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge and four others made for television movies between 1987 and 1994.
What did James Arness die from?
What happened to James Arness that led to his death? The famous actor died in his sleep at his home in Brentwood, Calif, on June 3, 2011, from natural causes. He was 88 years old at the time of his death. The actor’s official website posted a letter that he wrote to be published after he dies. I had a wonderful life and was blessed with many loving and great friends. I wanted to take this time and thank all of you for the many years of being a fan of Gunsmoke, The Thing, How the West Was Won and all the other four fun projects I was lucky enough to have been allowed to be part of. I had the privilege of working with so many great actors over the years.
Many people have been wondering about James Arness’ net worth at the time of his death, considering his long career in the movie industry. As United States Marshall Dillon in the 1955-1975 Wester series, the actor created a fantastic portrait of a quiet, heroic man with an unbending dedication to justice. He gained immense wealth and fame from Gunsmoke. He is still associated with the television series today.