

Acting
The star of one of the longest-running shows in U.S. television history, Gunsmoke (1955). Born of Norwegian heritage (the family name, Aurness (formerly had been Aursness) in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Rolf and Ruth Duesler Aurness. His father was a traveling salesman of medical supplies and his mother later became a newspaper columnist. James attended West High School in Minneapolis. Although he appeared in school plays, he had no interest in performing, and dreamed instead of going to sea. After high school, he attended one semester at Beloit College before receiving his draft notice...
Highest rated appearances
as 'The Thing'
as Matt Dillon

Alias Jesse James
as Marshal Matt Dillon (uncredited)

The Western: A Lost TV Special
as Self

Gun the Man Down
as Rem Anderson

The First Traveling Saleslady
as Joel Kingdom

Flame of the Islands
as Kelly Rand

The Sea Chase
as Schlieter

Many Rivers to Cross
as Esau Hamilton

Her Twelve Men
as Ralph Munsey

Them!
as FBI Agent Robert Graham

Hondo
as Lennie

The Veils of Bagdad
as Targut

Island in the Sky
as Mac McMullen

The Lone Hand
as Gus Varden

Horizons West
as Tiny McGilligan

Hellgate
as George Redfield

Big Jim McLain
as Mal Baxter

The Girl in White
as Matt

Carbine Williams
as Leon Williams

Iron Man
as Alex Mallick

The People Against O'Hara
as John Fordman 'Johnny' O'Hara

Cavalry Scout
as Barth

The Thing from Another World
as 'The Thing'

Two Lost Worlds
as Kirk Hamilton

Wyoming Mail
as Russell

Sierra
as Little Sam (as Jim Arness)

In a Lonely Place
as Young Detective (uncredited)

Stars in My Crown
as Rolfe Isbell (uncredited)

Wagon Master
as Floyd Clegg