He later appeared on TV but in a bigger role.
Who recommended James Arness for the marshal role on TV's Gunsmoke?
2006-10-17 12:58:25 · 2 answers · asked by ? 5 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Television
Yeas. James Arnes did appear as Matt Dillion on the longest running western on TV. William Conrad voiced the role for years but as JJ points out he was "too big" a star for consideration as the lean fit Marshall. John Wayne was offered the role first but back in those days Big screen stars didn't do small screen except as cameos to support a project.He recommended a stunt double of his who had a role in a small sci fi movie,thank you verticalychallenged, for the role. Arness grabbed it and made it his own.
2006-10-18 05:27:54 · update #1
William Conrad played Matt on the radio.. (Brace Beemer played the Lone Ranger, btw) and later went on to star in the seventies series Cannon.
Probably, Arness was referred by his agent to play Matt on TV after his stellar (okay, extra stellar) role as The Thing in the original 1951 film of the same name.
2006-10-17 14:03:38 · answer #1 · answered by vertically challenged 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, William Conrad played Marshall Dillon on radio. I remember him later in Jake and the Fat Man. He was a good actor, but I guess they thought he didn't fit the image of Marshall Dillon for TV.
2006-10-18 08:28:18 · answer #2 · answered by Joy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋