- Janet Surtees (née Arness) is the widow of late Hollywood icon James Arness.
- Her late husband became famous for his portrayal of Marshal Matt Dillon in the cult-hit CBS TV series Gunsmoke.
- Surtees’ father was a pilot, but the information about her mother is out of the media.
- Janet was born on February 15, 1947, in the United States of America.
Janet Surtees (née Arness) is the widow of late Hollywood icon James Arness. Janet Surtees’s late husband became famous for his portrayal of Marshal Matt Dillon in the cult-hit CBS TV series Gunsmoke. The couple began dating a year before the drama series ended.
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Who Are Her Parents? Janet Surtees Date Of Birth
Janet Surtees’ father was a pilot, but the information about her mother is out of the media.
She has a sibling who also worked as a pilot in the past.
Moving to her birth details, Janet was born on February 15, 1947, in the United States of America.
She bears an American nationality and belongs to the Caucasian ethnicity.
Inside Janet Surtees and Her Late Husband James Arness’s Marriage
Janet Surtees tied the knot in 1978 in a modest wedding ceremony.
They were blissfully married since their wedding and supported each other through thick and thin till the actor’s death in 2011.
Despite their long-time marriage, the two maintained a low profile about their love life throughout their partnership.
They used to appear in public only on occasion.
One of their rare outings was their joint appearance during a signing of James’ book James Arness: An Autobiography in 2001 in Los Angeles.
When and how did Janet Surtees first meet? The Couple Started Dating Three Months After They Met
Janet Surtees used to work at James Arness’s makeup artist Glen Alden‘s wife’s store, which was located on Tujunga Avenue.
She spent roughly six years working in the shop. Janet met her future husband there.
Glen’s wife used to brag about James’ experiences and his amazing performances in both movies and TV shows, especially on the CBS serial Gunsmoke.
But, Surtees was unknown of James’ great Hollywood career at the time.
The actor himself came over for supper where Janet was working one day, and the two had their first meeting.
They proceeded to Red Ridge Meadows in Mammoth Lakes after a few days.
The two had a lot of fun there. The actor arranged for the couple to rent horses.
They were both enthusiastic skiers.
After spending some quality time together, they returned home, and James informed his future wife that he was leaving for Alaska and would call her only after his return.
However, Janet said that the actor did not call her for several months.
After three months, James called her, and the two went out to supper.
They subsequently started dating and dated for roughly four years before they got married.
Did they have any children together? Janet has a son from a previous marriage
No, the couple did not have biological children.
However, both James and Janet had children from prior relationships.
Surtees has a son from a previous relationship.
However, the identity of her son’s biological father remains unknown.
Besides, Janet’s son was a huge Gunsmoke fan.
From his first marriage to Virginia Chapman, James had two children: a boy Rolf (born February 18, 1952), and a daughter Jenny Lee Arness (born May 23, 1950).
Their son Rolf won the World Surfing Championship in 1970.
Jenny, their daughter, tragically died of a heroin overdose in 1975.
The Death of Janet Surtees’ Husban
James, one of the best actors, died on June 3, 2011.
At the time of his death, he was 88 years old.
He died of natural causes in his Brentwood, Los Angeles, home.
His corpse was interred at Glendale’s Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
What Is Janet Surtees Doing Now That Her Husband Is Dead?
She is currently involved in charitable activities.
Surtees shares her late husband’s love of humanity.
Her charity of choice is the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Education Foundation.
Monetary value
Janet’s net worth is believed to be $1 million.
She is currently based in Los Angeles.
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Her late husband, James, on the other hand, had an $8 million net worth at the time of his death.
His income was primarily derived from his acting profession.
He began his acting career by working in the movie The Farmer’s Daughter in 1974.
The actor rose to fame as a fan favorite in the classic TV series Gunsmoke.
He worked in the series from 1955-75.
He also starred in five Gunsmoke television movies.
