Janet Surtees' biography and love life: All about James Arness' spouse
Janet Surtees is best known as the wife of the late American actor James Arness. Arness was one of the iconic actors who rose to prominence during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Though he has passed away, many fans remain curious about his wife and what she is up to these days. Here is everything we know about her.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- The couple met during a chance encounter. Janet was working at a clothing store, which James visited while filming the popular 50s Wild Western show Gunsmoke.
- James Arness and Janet were happily married for 33 years until his passing in 2011.
- Janet Surtees’ child from a previous relationship, Craig, became part of the family unit shortly after the duo got together, and James adopted him
Profile summary and bio
Full name | Janet Surtees Arness |
Date of birth | 15 February, 1947 |
Age | 78 years of age (2025) |
Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
Romantic orientation | Heterosexual |
Current nationality | American |
Marital status | Widowed (married to James Arness 1978–2011) |
Ethnicity | Caucasian |
Gender | Female |
Weight | 55 kg (most commonly reported) |
Hair colour | Blonde |
Eye colour | Blue |
Children | One son named Craig |
Profession | Former retail worker |
Native language | English |
Janet Surtees bio
Janet Surtees’ Wikipedia and other sources do not have any available information regarding her family background, education, or current residence, as she shies away from the public eye. But there are a few widely reported facts about her life and marriage to James.
How long was James Arness married to Janet Surtees?
The couple were happily married for 33 years until his passing in 2011.
Is James Arness’ wife still alive?
It is believed she is still alive but stays under the radar.
Source: Original
Did James Arness’ wife appear on Gunsmoke?
As mentioned earlier, the pair met during the filming of the show, but it is not confirmed if she was a part of the final official footage or was merely working behind the scenes.
Did James Arness and Jane Surtees have children?
Janet Surtees’ child from a previous relationship, Craig, became part of the family unit shortly after the duo got together, and James adopted him. The late actor also had children from a previous marriage with Virginia Chapman, Jenny Lee Arness, and Rolf Aurness.
Source: Getty Images
When was Janet Surtees born?
She was born on 15 February 1947.
Janet Surtees’ age
The private figure is 78 years of age at the time of writing .
Janet Surtees’ height
Her height has never been confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Jane Surtees and James Arness.
How many times did James Arness get married?
James Arness was married twice: first to Virginia Chapman from 1948 to 1960, and second to Janet Surtees from 1978 until his demise in 2011.
Where did Janet Surtees go to school?
There is no verifiable information regarding Janet Surtees' early life.
How did James Arness die?
The late actor died at his Brentwood home in Los Angeles from natural causes, with no other information available surrounding the matter.
Many things about Janet Surtees' life remain shrouded in mystery, with minimal information available. But, most reports state her alive and well in an undisclosed location, away from the public eye.
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Source: Briefly News
Justine De Lange (Lifestyle writer) Justine De Lange has over 6 years of experience in lifestyle, corporate and freelance writing. She started at Now Media for their lifestyle publication 'Let's Go', then joined 'travSIM' and 'Metavaro'. She now writes for Briefly News as a content writer, working with beats such as studies, services, business tips, and celebrity biographies (joined in 2022). In 2023, Justine finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can contact her directly via JustinedeLange14@gmail.com.
Justin Williams (Editorial Assistant) Justin Williams joined Briefly News in 2024. He is currently the Opinion Editor and a Current Affairs Writer. He completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Film & Multimedia Production and English Literary Studies from the University of Cape Town in 2024. Justin is a former writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa: South African chapter. Contact Justin at justin.williams@briefly.co.za
