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James Arness didn’t mind sharing the Gunsmoke spotlight
Arness wasn't interested in being a leading man.
Although Gunsmoke is often considered an ensemble series, the Western wouldn’t have been the same without James Arness at the center of it. For 20 seasons, Arness starred as Marshal Matt Dillon, keeping a diligent watch over Dodge City.
The series ran from 1955 to 1975 and became one of the longest-running prime-time dramas in television history.
But much like his character, Arness understood that one man cannot accomplish everything on his own. During an interview with The Gazette, Arness commented on his character’s screen time, which had diminished as the series progressed.
While many actors might have considered that a blow to the ego, Arness understood that Gunsmoke was at its strongest when every character had a chance to shine.
"Often we get letters that say, 'Why can’t we see more of Matt?' or 'Give us more of Kitty?'" Arness said. "That’s when the CBS fellows get uptight and suggest we appear more. But to me, that’s the best kind of fan mail. When you get letters saying, 'We get too much of Matt' — that’s when you should start worrying.'"
Arness loved working on the Western, but he also kept a realistic perspective when discussing the show’s future.
"You never can tell until you get the word," Arness said. "Sure, the ratings have been good, but that isn’t the whole story anymore. They have this thing about the nature of the audience — demographics, it’s called. What are our demographics? I haven’t the slightest idea."
Although the series remained popular, CBS executives increasingly focused on the age of its audience, with younger viewers becoming more desirable to advertisers. The show ultimately ended in 1975 after 20 seasons.
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