Peter Graves, who died yesterday at his home at the age of 83, was one of two famous actor brothers all movie fans should applaud. The other is James Arness, best known as Matt Dillon, marshal of Dodge City, Kansas, in the classic western series “Gunsmoke.”
Arness, now 87 years old, is still alive, despite any Internet rumors to the contrary.
Between them, Graves and Arness shaped television drama — and made some really campy 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s movies — for several generations of fans. Graves was best known to many of us “oldsters” as the enigmatic, head spy Mr. Phelps in “Mission Impossible,” the television series. He will be missed.
As a kid growing up in the 1950s, Jim Arness (always “Matt Dillon” to me) was my hero. He was physically huge and played the strong silent hero to perfection.
Farewell, Peter Graves. And hang in there, Jim Arness!