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James Arness quit Gunsmoke just before the series started filming — this was the phone call that convinced him to return
One fateful call changed the actor's life.
It takes a keen mind and a clear heart to be able to take on a great opportunity. But sometimes, what's really necessary is a swift kick in the pants.
James Arness received such a kick all those years ago when Gunsmoke was still in its infancy. As the radio version of Gunsmoke remained successful, it seemed that a television adaptation of the series would be a guaranteed success. Despite this, Arness had his misgivings about joining the series. Today, we know Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon. However, the actor needed some convincing to accept the role, particularly from his good friend and fellow Western actor, John Wayne.
Despite all of this, Arness still had his misgivings about starring in Gunsmoke. According to an article in the Pacific Daily News, despite accepting the role, Arness attempted to pull out of the series just before wardrobe fittings. At that point, the series was fully in development and prepared to begin filming. In spite of this, and the contract the actor had signed with CBS, Arness refused.
According to the article, it took a phone call from William Dozier to convince Arness to join the fray again. At the time, Dozier was the West Coast director of programming for the network. Dozier called Arness to offer him a very tense warning.
"You don't know me, but I want to tell you that you are about to do something very unprofessional," said Dozier.
To an actor, the label of "unprofessional" is as good as a death sentence to the career. Arness later visited Dozier at his home, where the two came to a mutual understanding. The actor then rejoined the cast of Gunsmoke, and the series we all know and love today was born.
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