James Arness was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1923 and earned the Purple Heart in World War II before moving to Los Angeles to make a living as an actor. He is best known for playing Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, the longest running dramatic series ever produced. Although reluctant to work in television at first, Arness stayed with the series for 20 years and was nominated for three Emmy Awards. Throughout his career, Arness has received many awards for his dedication to law enforcement and was even inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame. Today, the 6-foot-7-inch actor spends his time working with charity groups such as the United Cerebral Palsy organization and recently wrote an autobiography.