Norman Macdonnell an anthology series they had done. Their boss at CBS, Harry Ackerman, and other network executives dismissed that title, preferring "Gunsmoke", a program heading that Ackerman himself was credited with conceiving. Once given permission to proceed with "Gunsmoke", Macdonnell began developing a detailed production schedule for the new series' 30-minute episodes and arranging auditions to cast its recurring characters. His and Meston’s "Jeff Spain" soon became United States Marshal Matt Dillon, and veteran voice actor William Conrad was chosen by Macdonnell, Meston, and two other CBS screeners to portray that lead character. Other seasoned actors soon filled the needed regular
Matt Dillon the comedy "You, Me and Dupree", opposite Kate Hudson and Owen Wilson. The film opened on July 14, 2006. On September 29, 2006, Dillon was honored with the Premio Donostia prize in the San Sebastián International Film Festival. Dillon contributed his voice as the narrator, Sal Paradise, in an audiobook version of Jack Kerouac's novel "On the Road". In 2006, he narrated "". Dillon appeared in several music videos during his career. He made a cameo appearance as a detective in Madonna's "Bad Girl" music video which also stars Christopher Walken. Dillon appeared in 1987 in the music video for