James Arness And Peter Graves. The names resonate with classic television lovers, instantly conjuring images of Marshal Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke and the unflappable Jim Phelps in Mission: Impossible. While both carved indelible marks on the TV landscape with these iconic roles, a lesser-known fact adds another layer to their legacies: they were brothers. This bond, though not always heavily publicized, was a cornerstone of their lives, predating and arguably exceeding their on-screen fame.
It wasn’t a secret, but neither was it a fact shouted from the Hollywood Hills. In an era where sibling rivalry narratives often dominate, the story of James Arness and Peter Graves as brothers remained subtly in the background, a quiet truth overshadowed by their individual stardom. “Only about half the public realizes we’re brothers,” Peter Graves remarked in a 1972 interview with The Times Herald, highlighting the public’s muted awareness of their familial connection despite their concurrent television dominance. He recounted how James had already established himself in Hollywood with roles like in The Farmer’s Daughter while Peter was still in Minnesota, explaining their separate entries into the acting world. Both brothers, however, were drawn to the allure of Hollywood for the same reason – to pursue acting careers. James’s early film work paved the way, and then Gunsmoke catapulted him to unparalleled television fame.
Geoffrey Mark, a pop culture historian, sheds light on why their brotherhood wasn’t a major publicity angle. “It wasn’t widely out there in the 1960s… because even though both shows — Mission: Impossible and Gunsmoke — were on CBS, for whatever reasons, the powers that were didn’t really want to make that big a deal out of it for publicity’s sake.” He suggests that the distinct nature of Mission: Impossible, a sophisticated spy thriller, and Gunsmoke, a rugged Western, might have contributed to the decision to downplay the brotherly connection. Furthermore, the fact that Peter Graves was a replacement for the original Mission: Impossible lead, Steven Hill, might have further discouraged CBS from leveraging the brother angle for publicity, aiming to minimize attention to the cast change.
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Mark also points out the evolution of Gunsmoke, noting how its expansion to an hour-long format necessitated more complex narratives. “Gunsmoke, once it expanded from half an hour to one-hour…could not continue to be just another Western. It had to have hour-long plots… It’s what made Gunsmoke very different from many of the other Westerns that were on, including Bonanza.” This shift towards intricate storylines contributed to Gunsmoke‘s enduring appeal and distinguished it from simpler Western series.
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“One would’ve thought that when Mission Impossible started, that there would have been a big publicity push — ‘Oh, look, now we have two brothers; two handsome rugged men who are part of the CBS stable,’ but they didn’t,” Mark concludes, reinforcing the point that the network deliberately chose not to emphasize the James Arness and Peter Graves brother connection for promotional purposes.
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The Minnesota Roots of Hollywood Brothers: James Arness and Peter Graves
James Arness served in the U.S. Army during World War II, demonstrating early courage and commitment.
The story of James Arness and Peter Graves began in Minneapolis, Minnesota. James, originally James King Aurness, was born on May 26, 1923, to businessman Rolf Cirkler Aurnes and journalist Ruth Duesler. Three years later, on March 18, 1926, Peter, christened Peter Duesler Aurness, joined the family. Their shared Midwestern upbringing laid the foundation for a lifelong brotherhood that would extend even into the competitive world of Hollywood.
James Arness’s early life was marked by diverse experiences. After graduating high school in 1942, he took on various jobs, working as a courier, logger, and railway worker. He briefly attended Beloit College, where he engaged in campus life by joining the choir and the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. His burgeoning adulthood was soon interrupted by World War II.
Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943, James Arness faced the brutal realities of war firsthand. He participated in the Anzio Beachhead landing on January 22, 1944, a pivotal and fiercely contested battle. His service was tragically cut short when he sustained a severe leg injury at Anzio. Honorably discharged on January 29, 1945, James Arness was decorated for his bravery and service, receiving the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and several campaign medals, including the Combat Infantryman Badge. His wartime experience indelibly shaped his character, instilling in him a resilience and stoicism that would later become hallmarks of his on-screen persona as Marshal Matt Dillon.
Peter Graves began his acting career after serving in the Air Force, showcasing his versatility early on.
Peter Graves’s path also included military service. Graduating high school in 1944, he joined the United States Air Force during World War II, serving for a year and achieving the rank of corporal. He was awarded the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his military service, Peter utilized the G.I. Bill to attend the University of Minnesota, where he also became a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.
Post-World War II, both brothers made a significant life decision. Aware of their German heritage and the prevailing sentiments after the war, they opted to change their last names. Peter adopted “Graves,” a name from their maternal lineage, while James altered “Aurness” to “Arness,” changing both spelling and pronunciation. Geoffrey Mark explains this decision in the context of the time: “After World War II, people were not beating their breasts saying, ‘Look at me, I’m German,’ which is why James changed the spelling and pronunciation of his name and Peter didn’t use it at all.” This name change marked a fresh start as they both embarked on their Hollywood journeys.
Hollywood Beckons: Separate Paths to Stardom for Peter Graves and James Arness
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While sharing a familial bond, James Arness and Peter Graves navigated distinct paths to Hollywood success, each carving out a unique niche in the entertainment industry.
James Arness’s entry into show business began in radio, working as an announcer at a Minneapolis station. Driven by ambition, he hitchhiked to Hollywood, determined to become a film actor. His perseverance paid off with his debut in The Farmer’s Daughter (1947). A string of film roles followed, including The Man from Texas (1948), Wagon Master (1950), and the sci-fi classic The Thing from Another World (1951). However, it was television that cemented his stardom. In 1955, James Arness was cast as Marshal Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke, a role he would embody for two decades across 635 episodes (1955-1975). Notably, John Wayne, a Western icon himself, introduced Arness in the first episode, lending his star power to launch the series.
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Peter Graves’s Hollywood journey also commenced in the early 1950s. Initially credited as Peter Dandridge, he made his film debut in Rogue River (1951). He built a solid filmography with roles in Fort Defiance (1951), Stalag 17 (1953), and The Night of the Hunter (1955). Simultaneously, he ventured into television, becoming a series regular on Fury (1955-1960), Whiplash (1959-1960), and Court Martial (1965-1966). His career reached a new zenith when he replaced Steven Hill in Mission: Impossible, taking on the role of IMF director Jim Phelps from 1967 to 1973. Graves’s portrayal of the cool, collected Phelps became synonymous with the series, and he reprised the role in the Mission: Impossible revival (1988-1990), further solidifying his place in television history.
Contrasting Characters, Different Acting Challenges: James Arness vs. Peter Graves
James Arness and Peter Graves, despite different acting styles, shared a strong brotherly bond throughout their careers.
Geoffrey Mark highlights the contrasting acting styles and challenges faced by James Arness and Peter Graves, largely dictated by the nature of their signature roles. He notes that while Peter Graves often faced diverse acting demands, James Arness’s role was more consistent.
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Reflecting on Mission: Impossible, Mark observes, “When you do any kind of research about Mission Impossible… the only negative publicity is that the actors on Mission came and went and the show’s quality would rise and fall depending who the regular characters were any given season… Nothing about Peter being bad or hard to work with.” He emphasizes the absence of scandal or negative press surrounding either brother, noting, “I don’t think either of the men really had any negative publicity, like, ‘Oh, look, he was drunk. Oh, look, he’s cheating on his wife.’ It’s not what their personas were about.” Mark posits that Peter Graves was “a more open person and, quite frankly, the better actor.”
He elaborates on the acting demands of Mission: Impossible: “He had to be on Mission Impossible, because he wasn’t just playing the lead character in charge… the premise of the show demanded that the lead character play other parts within the show. Peter had to do accents, he had to have makeup jobs, he played the good guys, he played the bad guys… It required him to flex his acting muscles.” The episodic nature of Mission: Impossible required Graves to embody different personas weekly, showcasing his acting range and versatility.
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In contrast, Marshal Matt Dillon, while iconic, was a character of stoic consistency. Mark suggests, “Whereas with James Arness and Gunsmoke, it’s not that he was a bad actor, it’s just that he was doing it by rote. There was nothing new for Marshal Dillon, I don’t think… Marshal Dillon’s character grew or changed very much.” While Gunsmoke allowed for character development in its ensemble cast, Marshal Dillon remained a steady, unwavering figure of justice. This difference in character demands meant that James Arness’s acting challenge was rooted in maintaining the steadfast persona of Marshal Dillon over two decades, while Peter Graves thrived on the weekly transformative roles within Mission: Impossible.
Post-Gunsmoke, James Arness continued to work in Westerns, starring in How the West Was Won (1977-1979) and McClain’s Law (1981-1982), and reprising Marshal Dillon in six Gunsmoke TV movies (1987-1993). Peter Graves broadened his acting portfolio, famously appearing in the comedic film Airplane! (1980) as Captain Clarence Oveur, demonstrating his comedic timing and attracting a new generation of fans. He continued to work in television and film until his later years.
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Despite their separate career trajectories, the brotherly bond between James Arness and Peter Graves remained strong. While they didn’t frequently discuss each other publicly, Peter Graves acknowledged their close relationship in interviews. Recalling script offers to play James’s “worthless brother” in Gunsmoke, Peter mentioned, “We’ve talked over the scripts, but didn’t feel any of them were quite right for us.” He also directed a Gunsmoke episode, showcasing his respect for James’s iconic series and his own multifaceted talents.
Geoffrey Mark summarizes their relationship: “Peter Graves and James Arness got along, they loved each other, but I think because of their background, men didn’t show affection… but I think they loved each other… They each were happy for the other one’s success.” He notes Peter’s admiration for James’s Gunsmoke success and Peter’s own desire for diverse roles, highlighting their mutual respect and understanding. Ultimately, James Arness and Peter Graves, two towering figures of television Western and spy genres, were bound not only by blood but also by a shared journey of success and mutual admiration in the demanding world of Hollywood.
James Arness passed away on June 2, 2011, at the age of 88, and Peter Graves on March 14, 2010, at 83. Their legacies endure, both individually as television icons and collectively as the story of two brothers who conquered Hollywood, each in their own distinct and memorable way.
