John Meston and refined the main characters who would populate his and Macdonnell's radio portrayal of Dodge. Jeff Spain soon became United States Marshal Matt Dillon, and veteran voice actor William Conrad was chosen by Meston, Macdonnell, and two other network audition judges to be the lawman and the series' central figure. Other seasoned actors filled the needed regular supporting roles, including Parley Baer as Marshal Dillon's trusty assistant Chester Proudfoot, Howard McNear as Dr. Charles "Doc" Adams, and Georgia Ellis, whose role in the series' early episodes would quickly evolve into the saloon "hostess" Kitty Russell. "Gunsmoke" was broadcast for the
James Arness James Arness James Arness (born James King Aurness, May 26, 1923 – June 3, 2011) was an American actor, best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon for 20 years in the CBS television series "Gunsmoke". Arness has the distinction of having played the role of Dillon in five separate decades: 1955 to 1975 in the weekly series, then in "" (1987) and four more made-for-television "Gunsmoke" films in the 1990s. In Europe, Arness reached cult status for his role as Zeb Macahan in the western series "How the West Was Won". He was the older brother of actor Peter Graves.