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Average Guess (89 Votes)
6ft 6.36in (199cm)
6ft 6.36in (199cm)
Jake T. said on 3/Jun/11
He was billed 6'7 most of the time when he was young but in some interviews he always said 6'6. I think in these last few years he could be 6'5.5. James passed away at age 88 R.I.P. James.
He was billed 6'7 most of the time when he was young but in some interviews he always said 6'6. I think in these last few years he could be 6'5.5. James passed away at age 88 R.I.P. James.
jake said on 26/May/11
Seemed to mostly claim 6 ft 6 in. I'd say 6 ft 6.5 in (199 cm) peak.
Seemed to mostly claim 6 ft 6 in. I'd say 6 ft 6.5 in (199 cm) peak.
Shadow2 said on 30/Jan/11
The irony of 1951's "The Thing from another world" is that there was another actor in the cast, John Dierkes, playing a scientist, who was 6'6", very close to Jim's height. Obviously Jim and Dierkes towered over the rest of the cast, led by 5'11" Kenneth Tobey. Dierkes appeared in "Gunsmoke" a few times, but had lost a bit of height by the 1970's, with Jim as Marshall Dillon in 1971 easily taller by at least two inches.
The irony of 1951's "The Thing from another world" is that there was another actor in the cast, John Dierkes, playing a scientist, who was 6'6", very close to Jim's height. Obviously Jim and Dierkes towered over the rest of the cast, led by 5'11" Kenneth Tobey. Dierkes appeared in "Gunsmoke" a few times, but had lost a bit of height by the 1970's, with Jim as Marshall Dillon in 1971 easily taller by at least two inches.
Anonymous said on 29/Jan/11
Wasn't James Arness cast as the creature in the original "The Thing (from another world)" back in 1949 or something like that? A film superior to many younger sci-fi films if you haven't seen it... anyway he obviously wasn't chosen because he was slightly taller, but rather because he was MUCH taller than the rest.
Wasn't James Arness cast as the creature in the original "The Thing (from another world)" back in 1949 or something like that? A film superior to many younger sci-fi films if you haven't seen it... anyway he obviously wasn't chosen because he was slightly taller, but rather because he was MUCH taller than the rest.
Anonymous said on 13/Jan/11
Michael Conrad was definitely at least 6'5 1/2. probably more like 6'6 or 6'6 1/2. Theres an All in The Family episode called "Mike and Gloria's Wedding" (2 parts) with Conrad in both. Next to 6'1 1/2 -6'2 Rob Reiner There is at least 4 inches in height difference. Next to 5'10 Carrol O'Connor you can see a solid 8 inches. Its the same with James Cromwell(who also guest stars in All in the Family) who is also 6'6ish. Both men are same height.
Michael Conrad was definitely at least 6'5 1/2. probably more like 6'6 or 6'6 1/2. Theres an All in The Family episode called "Mike and Gloria's Wedding" (2 parts) with Conrad in both. Next to 6'1 1/2 -6'2 Rob Reiner There is at least 4 inches in height difference. Next to 5'10 Carrol O'Connor you can see a solid 8 inches. Its the same with James Cromwell(who also guest stars in All in the Family) who is also 6'6ish. Both men are same height.
Shadow2 said on 2/Jan/11
Fear not Sepeteus, I have it on good authority that the "well known information site" is steadily improving its height listings. Hopefully Michael will soon be at 6'6" where he belongs, fixed with a few other errors highlighted on this website. We have to be patient for a while longer. In the meantime Rob needs to give actors like Michael their own page, because of the interest in them being as tall as Jim, Chuck Connors, Clint Walker, and Fess Parker.
Fear not Sepeteus, I have it on good authority that the "well known information site" is steadily improving its height listings. Hopefully Michael will soon be at 6'6" where he belongs, fixed with a few other errors highlighted on this website. We have to be patient for a while longer. In the meantime Rob needs to give actors like Michael their own page, because of the interest in them being as tall as Jim, Chuck Connors, Clint Walker, and Fess Parker.
PatB said on 28/Dec/10
All testimony about heights based on cowboy movies is very suspect. Cowboy boots on men are like high heels on women - they can add or subtract three inches or more.
That being said James Arness is indeed big. He's in that class of men who are clearly taller than I am - and I'm 6'5". He's really too tall. Cars don't fit very well at his height. Coach airline seats are a nightmare and Hollywood roles are scarce. Luckily Arness had his own show so they hired actors to surround him who could literally stand up to him. Had he been a supporting player he might have gotten work on Clint Walker's "Cheyene" or maybe Chuck Connor's "The Rifleman" but otherwise he would have been too big as a villian for the show's stars.
All testimony about heights based on cowboy movies is very suspect. Cowboy boots on men are like high heels on women - they can add or subtract three inches or more.
That being said James Arness is indeed big. He's in that class of men who are clearly taller than I am - and I'm 6'5". He's really too tall. Cars don't fit very well at his height. Coach airline seats are a nightmare and Hollywood roles are scarce. Luckily Arness had his own show so they hired actors to surround him who could literally stand up to him. Had he been a supporting player he might have gotten work on Clint Walker's "Cheyene" or maybe Chuck Connor's "The Rifleman" but otherwise he would have been too big as a villian for the show's stars.
Shadow2 said on 13/Nov/10
In 1965 Jim was joined in "Gunsmoke" for two seasons by a young actor named Roger Ewing playing Matt Dillon's occasional assistant (not precisely a deputy), "Thad Greenwood". Thad was described in the script as 6'4", but it soon became very obvious that Ewing was almost as tall as Jim. I remember seeing Ewing in a scene with 6'3" Wayne Rogers and Ewing was three inches taller. Jim and Ewing looked like father and son in some episodes!
In 1965 Jim was joined in "Gunsmoke" for two seasons by a young actor named Roger Ewing playing Matt Dillon's occasional assistant (not precisely a deputy), "Thad Greenwood". Thad was described in the script as 6'4", but it soon became very obvious that Ewing was almost as tall as Jim. I remember seeing Ewing in a scene with 6'3" Wayne Rogers and Ewing was three inches taller. Jim and Ewing looked like father and son in some episodes!
Anonymous said on 16/Jun/09
Watch hondo and youll see he has 2 inches on the duke.
6ft4-5 without cowboy boots.
Watch hondo and youll see he has 2 inches on the duke.
6ft4-5 without cowboy boots.
Big King said on 15/Jun/09
Well, I would say 6'6.5", nothing more than that.
Well, I would say 6'6.5", nothing more than that.
Gonzalo said on 29/Jan/09
Adam, why would they do that? It is hard for me to waste time in that kind of lie.
Adam, why would they do that? It is hard for me to waste time in that kind of lie.
adam said on 22/Dec/08
Arness was 6-7. Wayne was probably around 6-2 or just slightly more and wore lifts in every film.
Have you realized that they seem to make references to his height in MANY MANY films and in almost every article. I mean if he was you know toweringly tall like 6-6 or more but in the end he is "only" 6`4". Wayne is the only man I know whose height is advertised that much. In every film someone mentions at least once something about his stature. "The very tall fellow", "the big tall guy", "the 6
Arness was 6-7. Wayne was probably around 6-2 or just slightly more and wore lifts in every film.
Have you realized that they seem to make references to his height in MANY MANY films and in almost every article. I mean if he was you know toweringly tall like 6-6 or more but in the end he is "only" 6`4". Wayne is the only man I know whose height is advertised that much. In every film someone mentions at least once something about his stature. "The very tall fellow", "the big tall guy", "the 6
Bob H. said on 10/Dec/08
Just bought season 2 of Gunsmoke. Had forgotten how natural an actor Arness was. Had charm and swagger about him. Really interesting guy to watch. If some good film roles had come along before Gunsmoke, I believe he could have done almost as well in feature films. He was as good a "man's man" as any of his era.
He had an easy smile, could banter with Chester and make jokes. He was really cool. Also notices he did not wear a large healed boot. Did not need any artificial boost,
Just bought season 2 of Gunsmoke. Had forgotten how natural an actor Arness was. Had charm and swagger about him. Really interesting guy to watch. If some good film roles had come along before Gunsmoke, I believe he could have done almost as well in feature films. He was as good a "man's man" as any of his era.
He had an easy smile, could banter with Chester and make jokes. He was really cool. Also notices he did not wear a large healed boot. Did not need any artificial boost,
Anonymous said on 8/Dec/08
In that movie the two of them are having a drink at a tikki bar and the bartender refers to Wayne as being 6'4, as Arness is standing right next to him towering over him. Arness even straightens up at that moment as if to say I'm way taller then that, which he was, real close to 3 inches taller and 6'7.
In that movie the two of them are having a drink at a tikki bar and the bartender refers to Wayne as being 6'4, as Arness is standing right next to him towering over him. Arness even straightens up at that moment as if to say I'm way taller then that, which he was, real close to 3 inches taller and 6'7.
Anonymous said on 30/Nov/08
The Movie was Big Jim McLain 1952. It was set in Hawaii.
The Movie was Big Jim McLain 1952. It was set in Hawaii.
Anonymous said on 29/Nov/08
The Wayne/Arness movie had the word Hawaii in it, That's all I know. Arness was almost 3 inches taller. They had matching suites and shoes so no advantage.
The Wayne/Arness movie had the word Hawaii in it, That's all I know. Arness was almost 3 inches taller. They had matching suites and shoes so no advantage.
Ange said on 20/Oct/08
That is a big effin guy. This seem legit. Also, I never realized Rock Hudson was so tall!
That is a big effin guy. This seem legit. Also, I never realized Rock Hudson was so tall!
Captain Spaulding said on 17/Sep/08
Id say arness was 6'8" in his prime. John Wayne was 6'4" and appeared at least 6'5" with lifts and I remember the 2 stood side by side in some movie and arness had at least 3 inches on wayne.
Id say arness was 6'8" in his prime. John Wayne was 6'4" and appeared at least 6'5" with lifts and I remember the 2 stood side by side in some movie and arness had at least 3 inches on wayne.
adam said on 17/May/08
He has said 6-7 also and he probably downgraded his height. 6-6 sounds better and more human if you know what I mean..
He has said 6-7 also and he probably downgraded his height. 6-6 sounds better and more human if you know what I mean..
Rantsrob said on 4/May/08
If hes quoted as 6'6'' why is he 6'7'' rob?
If hes quoted as 6'6'' why is he 6'7'' rob?
lsu alum said on 4/Apr/08
just looked on this site.the movie mike c was talking about is big jim mcclain.the duke,and arness are agents working to expose commies in hawaii
just looked on this site.the movie mike c was talking about is big jim mcclain.the duke,and arness are agents working to expose commies in hawaii
venus said on 16/Jan/08
James 'The Thing' Arness is what he says. He's taller than everyone in Gunsmoke!
James 'The Thing' Arness is what he says. He's taller than everyone in Gunsmoke!
Braden said on 30/Dec/07
he is pretty old now id say he would have shrunk abit but he would still be 6'5" or 6'6" so that still verry tall.
he is pretty old now id say he would have shrunk abit but he would still be 6'5" or 6'6" so that still verry tall.
Gene C said on 31/Oct/07
I actually have an old TV Guide wherein Chuck Connors says they put him in lifts to appear taller than James Arness when he guested on "Gunsmoke" in order to appear more menacing. Arness really appears huge onscreen. My rule of thumb, sort of, is that all performers appear large onstage or onscreen, and those who are truly tall -- say, 6'5" and over -- look gigantic, like Chuck and James, and Clint Walker (who appears to dwarf 6'4" Rock Hudson in "Send Me Know Flowers").
I actually have an old TV Guide wherein Chuck Connors says they put him in lifts to appear taller than James Arness when he guested on "Gunsmoke" in order to appear more menacing. Arness really appears huge onscreen. My rule of thumb, sort of, is that all performers appear large onstage or onscreen, and those who are truly tall -- say, 6'5" and over -- look gigantic, like Chuck and James, and Clint Walker (who appears to dwarf 6'4" Rock Hudson in "Send Me Know Flowers").
mike c said on 20/Aug/07
Sam, saw a movie with the Duke and James a while back. Both in suits and dress shoes....Arness was at least 2-3 taller...the Duke was 6'4"+ so Arness was at least 6'6.5"....or more. Wish I could remember the name of the movie. Maybe someone out there does.
Sam, saw a movie with the Duke and James a while back. Both in suits and dress shoes....Arness was at least 2-3 taller...the Duke was 6'4"+ so Arness was at least 6'6.5"....or more. Wish I could remember the name of the movie. Maybe someone out there does.
SAM said on 25/Jul/07
He towered over John wayne In one old movie I saw, and it was back when Wayne was in his prime, I'd say about 2 3/4 inches, no less. If wayne was 6'4 then I'd say that arness was real close to 6'7. If wayne was 6'3 then I'd say about 6'6.
He towered over John wayne In one old movie I saw, and it was back when Wayne was in his prime, I'd say about 2 3/4 inches, no less. If wayne was 6'4 then I'd say that arness was real close to 6'7. If wayne was 6'3 then I'd say about 6'6.
arnees said on 20/Mar/07
Some real tall actors may under estimate their hieght to not apear so tall cause short actors don't want work with real tall ones
Some real tall actors may under estimate their hieght to not apear so tall cause short actors don't want work with real tall ones
Shatner said on 12/Mar/07
We have to remember that Arness was wounded in the right leg at Anzio. As a result, his right leg is an inch shorter than the left. Sometimes he would say that he was "6'7" on the left side and 6'6" on the right."
We have to remember that Arness was wounded in the right leg at Anzio. As a result, his right leg is an inch shorter than the left. Sometimes he would say that he was "6'7" on the left side and 6'6" on the right."
K.L. said on 13/Dec/06
In one Gunsmoke episode, Chuck Connors towered over Arness because Connors was wearing elevator shoes. Arness often slouched or stood in a hole to fit into a shot. A lot of times, he doesn't look overly tall on television, but anyone who ever met him said he was much bigger in person.
In one Gunsmoke episode, Chuck Connors towered over Arness because Connors was wearing elevator shoes. Arness often slouched or stood in a hole to fit into a shot. A lot of times, he doesn't look overly tall on television, but anyone who ever met him said he was much bigger in person.
JIM DOWN said on 20/Sep/06
HOW TALL WAS BUDDY BAER? IN A GUNSMOKE EPISODE HE APPEARS ABOUT 1" TO 1 AND 1/2" INCH TALLER THAN ARNESS. BAER IS LISTED AS 6'6" BUT HE HAD TO BE 6'7" OR TALLER IF ARNESS IS 6'6". HOW ABOUT ROD CAMERON? I DO NOT SEE HIS NAME OR DON MEGOWAN LISTED.
HOW TALL WAS BUDDY BAER? IN A GUNSMOKE EPISODE HE APPEARS ABOUT 1" TO 1 AND 1/2" INCH TALLER THAN ARNESS. BAER IS LISTED AS 6'6" BUT HE HAD TO BE 6'7" OR TALLER IF ARNESS IS 6'6". HOW ABOUT ROD CAMERON? I DO NOT SEE HIS NAME OR DON MEGOWAN LISTED.
Editor Rob said on 7/Sep/06
"I was 6 feet 7 when I started and I've shrunk up a little bit"
"I was 6 feet 7 when I started and I've shrunk up a little bit"
Annie said on 10/Jul/06
Clint Walker said in an interview that he was 6'6' and James Arness was 6'7". Clint said he had met James a few times and that he was an inch taller.
Clint Walker said in an interview that he was 6'6' and James Arness was 6'7". Clint said he had met James a few times and that he was an inch taller.
Cartoonistguy said on 9/Jul/06
...The man had to be 6'7 in his prime. Catch him in a movie with John Wayne way back...in some shots, he makes Wayne look small. He towers over everyone on Gunsmoke (except today, I happened to catch an episode where a guy was taller than him. Must have been a monster.
...The man had to be 6'7 in his prime. Catch him in a movie with John Wayne way back...in some shots, he makes Wayne look small. He towers over everyone on Gunsmoke (except today, I happened to catch an episode where a guy was taller than him. Must have been a monster.
Rob said on 22/Apr/06
I knew he was tall when he played Marshall Matt Dillon but I had no idea anybody in that era was as tall as 6'7".
I knew he was tall when he played Marshall Matt Dillon but I had no idea anybody in that era was as tall as 6'7".
Frank2 said on 18/Apr/06
Arness had to be 6'7" in his younger days. I'm sure he's packed down over the years. As to the difference of two inches, that's what I've been saying on these threads. An inch is tiny. Look at a tape measure. If a 5'10" individual stands next to a six footer and say the 5'10" guy is standing erect and the 6' guy is slightly slumped they can easily look the same height.
Arness had to be 6'7" in his younger days. I'm sure he's packed down over the years. As to the difference of two inches, that's what I've been saying on these threads. An inch is tiny. Look at a tape measure. If a 5'10" individual stands next to a six footer and say the 5'10" guy is standing erect and the 6' guy is slightly slumped they can easily look the same height.
Stanley said on 17/Apr/06
Frank2 since you seem to know about every one's height how tall is James Arness? I've heard James Arness himself say that he's 6'6 if you have the 50th anniversary edition of Gunsmoke in an interview he himself said that he's 6'6,
yet all reports say he's 6'7 is he referring to himself without shoes or what?
Have you ever seen an actor who's 5'10 stand on one side of an actor who's 6'0,
and whe the 5'10 actors steps to the other side of the 6'footer they appear to be the same height? I've seen this many times , how can you explain this?
Editor Rob
Frank2 since you seem to know about every one's height how tall is James Arness? I've heard James Arness himself say that he's 6'6 if you have the 50th anniversary edition of Gunsmoke in an interview he himself said that he's 6'6,
yet all reports say he's 6'7 is he referring to himself without shoes or what?
Have you ever seen an actor who's 5'10 stand on one side of an actor who's 6'0,
and whe the 5'10 actors steps to the other side of the 6'footer they appear to be the same height? I've seen this many times , how can you explain this?
Editor Rob you mean if a 5ft 10 guy standing on the right of the frame and 6ft guy to the left, sometimes their apparant heights look similar?
Frank2 said on 2/Mar/06
I remember watching the old b&w half-hour Gunsmoke as a kid and seeing how he towered over Dennis Weaver. Then many years later when I met Weaver and saw that he was actually six three I realized that Arness was huge!
I remember watching the old b&w half-hour Gunsmoke as a kid and seeing how he towered over Dennis Weaver. Then many years later when I met Weaver and saw that he was actually six three I realized that Arness was huge!
CelebHeights Editor said on 6/Oct/05
Recently in The Mercury News he said: "I've got a little arthritis that I have to deal with. I was 6 feet 7 when I started and I've shrunk up a little bit. I'm probably 6-5 or so now. But up here at 82 I feel pretty good. I'm sticking in there"
Recently in The Mercury News he said: "I've got a little arthritis that I have to deal with. I was 6 feet 7 when I started and I've shrunk up a little bit. I'm probably 6-5 or so now. But up here at 82 I feel pretty good. I'm sticking in there"
sam said on 15/Aug/05
Yes, Rob, I believe he was measured in a physical in the early days of Gunsmoke. They also referenced his weight and chest circumference, can't remember those, but I do remember his being measured at 6'7".
Yes, Rob, I believe he was measured in a physical in the early days of Gunsmoke. They also referenced his weight and chest circumference, can't remember those, but I do remember his being measured at 6'7".
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