James Arness, who played Marshal Matt Dillon on TV's 'Gunsmoke' died on Friday of natural causes, according to his website. He was 88.

He is survived by his wife Jane, 2 sons and six grandkids.

A private service will be held for his family, the site reported.

Among the actors he worked with during his career were Harrison Ford, Burt Reynolds, Charles Bronson, and Betty Davis.

The 6 foot 7-inch (201 cm) tall Arness also played the classic sci-fi monster 'The Thing' in the 1951 film.

His family asks that in lieu of flowers a donation in his name be made to the United Cerebral Palsy organization.