The Unmatched Record of James Arness in Gunsmoke

For twenty years, Gunsmoke entertained its audience, amassing a whopping 635 episodes. Among the cast, only James Arness, the star who portrayed Matt Dillon, maintained an unparalleled attendance by appearing in every single episode. His consistent presence underscored his pivotal role, making him indispensable to the show’s legacy and charm.

Milburn Stone, portraying Doc Adams, almost matched Arness’s perfect attendance record, landing second place by appearing in all but six episodes. Stone’s brief absence from the show was due to a heart attack, underlining his dedication to his role and the series despite health challenges.