Larry Hagman
Actor
Biography
Larry Martin Hagman (September 21, 1931 – November 23, 2012) was an American film and television actor, director, and producer. He was best known for playing ruthless oil baron J. R. Ewing in the 1978–1991 primetime television soap opera Dallas, and the befuddled astronaut Major Anthony Nelson in the 1965–1970 sitcom I Dream of Jeannie.
Hagman was born in Fort Worth, Texas, the son of actress Mary Martin. After his parents divorced, he lived with his grandmother in Texas while his mother pursued acting roles. At age 16, Hagman followed his mother into acting and got his start in small theater productions and commercials. He began his acting career in the early 1950s, appearing in Broadway plays and television shows. He had a supporting role in the 1964 film Fail-Safe.
In 1965, Hagman was cast as Major Anthony Nelson in the sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. The show was a huge success, and Hagman won two Golden Globe Awards for his performance. He left the show in 1970 to pursue other projects.
In 1978, Hagman was cast as J. R. Ewing in the soap opera Dallas. The show was an even bigger success than I Dream of Jeannie, and Hagman won four Emmy Awards for his performance. He remained with the show until it ended in 1991.
In 1995, Hagman underwent a liver transplant. He returned to Dallas in 2012 for a revival of the show. He died of complications from leukemia later that year.
As Director
Filmography
Superman
as Major 1978
Fail Safe
as Buck 1964
Nixon
as Jack Jones 1995
The Eagle Has Landed
as Colonel Pitts 1976
Primary Colors
as Gov. Fred Picker 1998
In Harm's Way
as Lt. J.G. Cline 1965
The Big Bus
as Parking Lot Doctor 1976
Harry and Tonto
as Eddie Coombes 1974
S.O.B.
as Dick Benson 1981
The Hired Hand
as Sheriff (uncredited) 1971
Beware! The Blob
as Young Hobo 1972
Mother, Jugs & Speed
as Murdoch 1976
The Group
as Harald Peterson 1966
Stardust
as Porter Lee Austin 1974
Ensign Pulver
as Billings 1964
A Howling in the Woods
as Eddie Crocker 1971
Dallas: J.R. Returns
as J.R. Ewing 1996