When it comes to Western TV shows, there’s none more iconic than , which owes a lot of its legendary status to a single actor. The longest-running series in the genre’s history is chock-full of terrific supporting performances and famous guest stars, from Burt Reynolds to Bette Davis. Fundamentally, though, Gunsmoke relied on its central protagonist to hold everything together.

The great James Arness fronted the show throughout its two-decade run on CBS, cementing his place in history as arguably the best-ever Western TV actor. What’s more, Arness is one of the greatest TV actors in any genre to have made his name in only one role. As U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, .

Arness had other TV roles, and famously appeared alongside John Wayne in the 1953 Western movie Hondo, his second of four films with the Duke. But , an all-around television hero whom it’s now impossible to imagine any other actor playing.

Along with Doc Adams actor Milburn Stone, James Arness is one of just two stars to have featured in all 20 seasons of Gunsmoke. But even that isn’t the full extent of his association with the series, as Arness later reprised his role as Matt Dillon for six Gunsmoke TV movies.

The last of these movies came in 1994, 39 years after his first appearance as the character. This length of time is . Arness’ entire career is synonymous with Dillon, given that his performance as Gunsmoke’s protagonist spanned four decades.

, including as mountain man and US soldier Zeb Mahacan in The Mahacans and its spinoff How the West Was Won, immediately after Gunsmoke ended. He also played Jim Bowie in the 1987 TV movie The Alamo: 13 Days to Glory. However, both of these releases have faded into relative obscurity.

On the other hand, . The inextricable identification of Arness with this iconic role is aided by the fact that offscreen, the actor was an intensely private person who actively sought to distance himself from the limelight (via MPR News).

James Arness’ importance to Gunsmoke’s status as a Western TV juggernaut can’t be emphasized enough. in any TV show. This likeness probably has something to do with the false rumor that Wayne rejected Arness’ lead role in Gunsmoke.

Yet simply equating Arness with a TV version of John Wayne does the actor a major disservice. , who led Gunsmoke from the front, just as Matt Dillon is the venerated leader of Dodge City, Kansas, in the show’s story.

Without Arness playing the anchor role in the series for 20 years, the onscreen talent that came and went around him wouldn’t have had the impact they did. , making his authoritative presence felt in every scene he was in, and ensuring the show maintained its place near the top of television ratings throughout the 1960s.

Besides the impressive screen presence James Arness himself brought to the table, his character, Matt Dillon, is a true Western hero. , seeing straight through every newcomer who rides into town, and maintaining law and order in Dodge City like no one else could.

As well as a skilled cowboy, His death count totals at least 300, a number even John Wayne or Clint Eastwood would struggle to match. It’s fitting that the finale of Gunsmoke’s last TV movie sees Dillon down one last villain with his gun.

In addition to his dead-eyed shooting ability, though, Matt Dillon is a caring, paternalistic figure in Gunsmoke, who makes a point of looking out for those in Dodge City who need help. James Arness balances expertly between Dillon’s no-nonsense approach to justice and the character’s softer side. The U.S. Marshal’s strong, consistent moral compass is among his greatest attributes.

Matt Dillon’s strengths as a character reflect the abilities of James Arness as an actor. Gunsmoke’s biggest star was . At the same time, Arness was a humble figure who avoided attention wherever possible and was always happy for others to get the credit.

The actor’s understated approach to life is a major reason why Matt Dillon is such a likable character, and what maintained his position as one of television’s biggest draws for such a prolonged period. Many terrific characters passed through at one time or another. But Matt Dillon was always the show’s heartbeat, in his own unassuming way.