How well do you know the career of James Arness?

He played everything from horror movie monsters to real historical figures.

Millions of people know James Arness as the righteous defender of law and order, U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, on the long-running TV western Gunsmoke. But he acted for many years before leading the hit show and continued to act for two decades after it ended.

Do you know Mr. Arness only from Gunsmoke or can you name everything he ever did? Test your knowledge of his long Hollywood career with this quiz!

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  1. True or false: Arness also played Marshal Matt Dillon on the 'Gunsmoke' radio show.
  2. In his earliest movie roles, Arness was credited with his real last name. What was it?
  3. True or false: Gunsmoke was Arness’s first time appearing on television.
  4. Arness played the monster in what 1950s horror movie?
  5. Arness acted in another ‘50s horror movie called 'Them!' which referred to what terrifying threat to humanity?
  6. Arness played which real historical figure in the TV movie 'The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory'?
  7. True or false: after 'Gunsmoke,' Arness only acted in period westerns.
  8. Arness played Matt Dillon in how many 'Gunsmoke' TV movies in the 1980s and 1990s?
  9. Which of these was NOT the title of a 'Gunsmoke' movie?
  10. True or false: Arness served in World War II.
  11. Arness and John Wayne starred in many movies together and were close friends. They were also both…
  12. James Arness was the only 'Gunsmoke' cast member to be in every single episode. How many was he in?

How well do you know the career of James Arness?

Your Result...

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58 Comments

sandydutton 30 months ago
I love Gunsmoke watch everyday on MeTV
Have some of Gunsmoke Series!
Samuel 42 months ago
You should have asked this question: Did John Wayne and James Arness ever appear in a movie together?
GTL4HIRE Samuel 42 months ago
Yes they did, can you name the movie without looking it up?
FRANK 43 months ago
LUCKY!12 OUT OF 12 HELPS TO BE OLD
SashaPayneDiaz 43 months ago
11/12 and all 11 we're totally lucky guesses!
nrbruner 43 months ago
I am a big James Arness fan!
GeoRubik 43 months ago
"You got 6 out of 12
This quiz was a monster!"

The GIF should have been Arness from "The Thing From Another World" not an ant from "Them".
peacefrog77 GeoRubik 43 months ago
I got the "Thing"
Side question which do you prefer the original "Thing" or the first remake from the 1980s.
sandman 43 months ago
8/12. Once the quarantine is over Lucky 8 ball🎱 and coin toss quarter is going to be “yard saled”
martyrichardson2551 43 months ago
Very interesting and fun. Loved James Arness!!
Deleted 43 months ago
This comment has been removed.
Yolandadiana 43 months ago
Oh YES! Ken Curtis who played Festus was a member of the Sons of the Pioneers. You can see him sing with them in Rio Grande starring John Wayne. Wonderful voice!
Cowgirl 42 months ago
Yes I have. Ken Curtis had a wonderful voice & was lead singer on the Sons of the Pioneers for several years. I wish he would have sung more on Gunsmoke, just as I wish Pernell Roberts would have sung more on Bonanza. Both men were very talented singers & the networks just wasted those talents.
PamWillemarckReedy 43 months ago
11 out of 12 Missed #4 about the horror movie.
jholton30062 43 months ago
10/12, and I guessed on most of them.
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