Larry Hagman dead at 81

[GalataPSB]

Larry Hagman, the actor most widely known for playing oil baron J.R. Ewing on the popular 1980s television show “Dallas,” has died at the age of 81.

Family members tell the Associated Press the Texas native died Friday afternoon at a Dallas hospital from complications of a recent battle with cancer.

"Larry was back in his beloved hometown of Dallas, re-enacting the iconic role he loved the most," the family said. "Larry's family and closest friends had joined him in Dallas for the Thanksgiving holiday."

Hagman was a regular on the 1960s sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie,” playing Capt. Tony Nelson, an astronaut whose life is disrupted when he finds a comely genie, portrayed by Barbara Eden. He reprised the role of J.R. Ewing in TNT's recent "Dallas" reboot.

The actor's "Dallas" co-star Linda Gray issued the following statement to Fox News via her publicist: "Larry Hagman was my best friend for 35 years. He was the pied piper of life and brought joy to everyone he knew. He was creative, generous, funny, loving and talented. I will miss him enormously. He was an original and lived life to the full. The world was a brighter place because of him."

Hagman also starred in two short-lived sitcoms, "The Good Life" (NBC, 1971-72) and "Here We Go Again" (ABC, 1973). His film work included well-regarded performances in "The Group," `'Harry and Tonto" and "Primary Colors."

But it was Hagman's masterful portrayal of the charmingly loathsome J.R. that brought him his greatest stardom. The CBS serial drama about the Ewing clan and those in their orbit aired from April 1978 to May 1991.

The "Who shot J.R.?" story twist, in which Hagman's character was nearly murdered in a cliffhanger episode, fueled international speculation and millions of dollars in betting-parlour wagers. It also helped give the series a ratings record for the time.

When the answer was revealed in a November 1980 episode, an average 41 million viewers tuned in to make "Dallas" the second most-watched entertainment show of all time, trailing only the "MASH" finale in 1983 with 50 million viewers.



http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/20 ... ead-at-81/

[Sandy Shaw]

I hardly ever watched Dallas, in fact don't think I ever saw a complete episode, but sorry for the loss for his family and friends. I think I saw him appear on stage and give a wave as part of a theatre charity gala together with his mother Mary Martin.

[Patrick Bateman]

Dallas was an integral part of my childhood. The new version's crap.

[Danimal]

I enjoyed the new version; at least the continuing stories of the original characters. The only new character I liked was Christopher's con-artist wife as she was true to the spirit of the original show. At least Mr. Hagman had an opportunity to introduce his most famous character to a new generation. This doesn't bode well for the new series though.

[Patrick Bateman]

It was far too youthcentric like most things these days. I remember an entire series of the original Dallas being given up to the fake Jock storyline.

[Danimal]

I'm sure they'll do something similar with JR. As I recall, Jock's "plane crashed" when the actor who played him died, forcing the Ewing brothers to search fruitlessly for him. Perhaps JR will be "abducted" although it would be more amusing if he was shot again, this time with an automatic weapon.

[Pani]

Loved him in the 'Jeannie' series from the 60s.

[Deschanel]

Grew up watching repeats of, "I Dream of Jeannie", and on Dallas, the whole "Who shot JR?" thing became a real phenomenon over the summer of 1980. Back when we had three networks in the US, limited choices, everyone watched the same shows. So interesting to read how popular "Dallas" was worldwide. A pop sensation, that show.

And he was so magnetic and fun in his wickedness as JR Ewing. It's so long ago, (haven't seen the new version) but I remember how fun it was to watch him. Larry Hagman was so charismatic in the role. Had his own demons with the drinking (liver transplant) and smoking (possibly the throat cancer that killed him). By all accounts he was a decent and intelligent person, spoke openly of his problems, advocated for organ donation, was a gent and a class act. RIP.

[Palpatine]

Grew up watching repeats of, "I Dream of Jeannie", and on Dallas, the whole "Who shot JR?" thing became a real phenomenon over the summer of 1980. Back when we had three networks in the US, limited choices, everyone watched the same shows. So interesting to read how popular "Dallas" was worldwide. A pop sensation, that show.

And he was so magnetic and fun in his wickedness as JR Ewing. It's so long ago, (haven't seen the new version) but I remember how fun it was to watch him. Larry Hagman was so charismatic in the role. Had his own demons with the drinking (liver transplant) and smoking (possibly the throat cancer that killed him). By all accounts he was a decent and intelligent person, spoke openly of his problems, advocated for organ donation, was a gent and a class act. RIP.

Yeah, it's highly unlikely that there will ever be a television event watched by as many people as the "Who shot JR?" again, or the blockbuster finales of The Fugitive (1967), M*A*S*H (1983), Cheers (1993), Seinfeld (1998), etc. In 1980, the US population was approximately 226.5 million and 83 million watched the "Who shot J.R.?" episode. Three years later, 105 (!) million watched the finale of M*A*S*H. In 2004, the US population had increased to approx. 300 million but only 52 million watched the finale of Friends. Such is the fragmented nature of entertainment these days, which on the whole is a good thing, but I kind of miss "event" shows that everybody talks about the next day. RIP Larry Hagman, TV icon.

[StevePSB]

His finest hour (or half hour, actually) was as a bemused and bewildered contestant on 'Shooting Stars' over here.


StevePSB

[Patrick Bateman]

Yeah, it's highly unlikely that there will ever be a television event watched by as many people as the "Who shot JR?" again, or the blockbuster finales of The Fugitive (1967), M*A*S*H (1983), Cheers (1993), Seinfeld (1998), etc. In 1980, the US population was approximately 226.5 million and 83 million watched the "Who shot J.R.?" episode. Three years later, 105 (!) million watched the finale of M*A*S*H. In 2004, the US population had increased to approx. 300 million but only 52 million watched the finale of Friends. Such is the fragmented nature of entertainment these days, which on the whole is a good thing, but I kind of miss "event" shows that everybody talks about the next day. RIP Larry Hagman, TV icon.

They used to show repeats of Dallas on daytime TV. Now they just show property porn. O tempora o mores!

[sneakythesnake]

The Best of J.R. Ewing

[Danimal]

Just heard he filmed six episodes of Dallas season two before he passed. It will be interesting to see how they utilize his final footage.

[PoloPony]

So sad, I preferred him on I Dream Of Jeannie
RIP

[maxboyd]

what does Larry Hagman and Dallas have to do with the Pet Shop Boys?