How Many Times Was James Arness Married
James Arness was married twice. The actor best known for playing Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke had two long-term marriages that lasted decades each.
James Arness First Wife
Arness married his first wife, Virginia Chapman, in 1948. They had three children before divorcing in 1961. Virginia Chapman was a former model and remained active in public life after their split.
James Arness Second Wife
He married his second wife, Janet Surtees, in 1962. Their marriage lasted until his death in 2011. Janet Surtees often supported Arness in his later years away from the spotlight.
For more details on James Arness’s biography and career, see the Wikipedia entry at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Arness.
