Jenny Lee Arness: What caused the death of James Arness’ daughter?

Jenny Lee Aurness is an American Actress and the daughter of James Arness. Jenny Lee Aurness’s father was an American actor, who gained popularity for playing the role of Marshal Matt Dillon for 20 years in the CBS television series Gunsmoke. He has the distinction of having played the role of Dillon in five decades: 1955 to 1975 in the weekly series, then in Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge (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.

Jenny Lee Arness: Bio Summary

Who was Jenny Lee Arness?

Jenny Lee Arness was born on May 23, 1950, in Los Angeles, California, United States of America to her parents, James Arness and Virginia Chapman. Jenny was the only child of the couple, she had siblings-  Rolf Aurness, and Craig Aurness. Jenny Lee’s mother was also an actress Virginia Chapman. Per her IMDB profile, she was known for the films Highway Patrol (1955), Official Detective (1957) and Whirlybirds (1957). 

Jenny Lee Arness who was also an actress was known for Gunsmoke (1955). Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West.

The central character is lawman Marshal Matt Dillon, played by William Conrad on radio and her father, James Arness on television. When aired in the UK, the television series was initially titled Gun Law, later reverting to Gunsmoke.

James Arness’s daughter landed only two minor roles on two separate episodes in 1964. She played Amy on the 14th episode of season nine and Laurie on the 13th episode of season ten. No other onscreen roles followed. Unfortunately, she died on May 12, 1975, in Malibu, California at the age of 25.

ALSO, READ; Craig Aurness: Everything About James Arness’ Son

What was the cause of death for Jenny Lee Arness?

Jenny Lee was diagnosed with schizophrenia before her death. Jenny Lee Arness, the daughter of actor James Arness, committed suicide in 1975, not too long before her 25th birthday. It was rumored that Arness was struggling due to a breakup with Greg Allman and she took a lethal dose of pills. Jenny Lee Arness overdosing on sleeping pills on 12 May 1975 at the age of 24 in Malibu, Los Angeles County, California, USA. According to his Find A Grave profile, Forest Lawn Memorial ParkGlendale, Los Angeles County, California.

Jenny Lee Arness’ father, Arness married her mother, Virginia Chapman in 1948, and the couple adopted her brother, Craig. Besides Craig, Jenny’s parents, Arness and Chapman also had a son, Rolf, (born February 18, 1952). 

ALSO, READ; Brandy Daughter, Sy’Rai: Weight loss and All You Need To Know About Her

Her brother, Rolf Aurness became World Surfing Champion in 1970. Craig Arness founded the stock photography agency Westlight and also was a photographer for National Geographic. When they divorced in 1963, Arness was granted legal custody of Jenny Lee Arness and her brothers. 

After their divorce, Jenny Lee and her mother maintained a good relationship. In a 1967 issue of Ebony Magazine, she spoke briefly about spending time with Virginia. She told the Publication– “There’s never a dull moment with [Mother].” Jenny Lee’s mother, Virginia also died of a drug overdose in 1977, two years later.

ALSO, READ; Marcia Harvey, Steve Harvey’s ex-wife

Four years after her father’s divorce from Virginia Chapman, James Arness met Thordis Brandt, who was his girlfriend for six years before they ended their relationship. In 1978, Arness married Janet Surtees.

Jenny Lee Arness’ father Arness also died of natural causes at the age of 88 years at his Brentwood home in Los Angeles on June 3, 2011. His body was interred in the Sanctuary of Abiding Hope alcove in the Jasmine Terrace section of the Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.