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Larry Martin Hagman (September 21, 1931 – November 23, 2012) was an American actor, director and producer whose television work made him a global star. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, the son of Broadway star Mary Martin, Hagman served in the United States Air Force (1952–1956) where he entertained troops in Europe. He achieved early recognition on stage and in supporting film roles before becoming widely known as Major Anthony Nelson on the sitcom I Dream of Jeannie (1965–1970). His later casting as oilman J.R. Ewing on the primetime serial Dallas (1978–1991) turned him into an international cultural figure, centred on the 1980 “Who shot J.R.?” cliffhanger. Hagman survived a life‑saving liver transplant in 1995, continued to work in films and television, and reprised J.R. in TNT’s 2012 revival of Dallas shortly before his death from complications of acute myeloid leukemia in 2012.

... Larry Hagman was born on September 21, 1931, in Fort Worth, Texas, and grew up in a theatrical household as the son of Mary Martin. After attending Bard College briefly he enlisted in the United States Air Force (1952–1956) and performed for service audiences in Europe. Returning to civilian life, Hagman built a career on stage, in live television and in feature films through the 1950s and 1960s. He gained wide recognition playing Major Anthony Nelson opposite Barbara Eden on NBC’s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie, which ran from 1965 to 1970. In 1978 he was cast as J.R. Ewing on the CBS primetime serial Dallas, a role that made him a household name worldwide and produced one of television’s most famous plotlines: the 1980 “Who shot J.R.?” mystery. Hagman directed the 1972 feature Beware! The Blob (also known as Son of Blob) and continued to appear in films such as Nixon (1995) and Primary Colors (1998). After a 1995 liver transplant he remained active in acting and advocacy, published an autobiography in 2001, and returned to the role of J.R. in TNT’s 2012 continuation of Dallas before his death on November 23, 2012. Then & Now The 1980s During the 1980s Hagman anchored the primetime serial Dallas as oilman J.R. Ewing, turning the character into a global cultural phenomenon, most famously around the 1980 "Who shot J.R.?" cliffhanger. Across the decade his scheming, larger‑than‑life performance helped propel Dallas to massive ratings and international syndication, and made J.R. a shorthand for 1980s wealth, power and melodrama. Hagman’s work kept him at the center of popular culture, cementing his reputation as one of television’s most recognizable villains. Now (2026) Larry Hagman died in 2012 from complications of acute myeloid leukemia after a long career that included a life‑saving liver transplant in 1995 and a brief reprise of J.R. in TNT’s 2012 revival of Dallas. As of 2026 his legacy endures: J.R. Ewing remains an archetype of TV villainy, Dallas continues to be watched in reruns and streaming, and Hagman is remembered for transforming a single television role into an international cultural touchstone. His contributions to serialized prime‑time television and his status as a global star remain central to how he is commemorated. Career timeline 1931 Born September 21 in Fort Worth, Texas; son of actress Mary Martin. 1952–1956 Served in the United States Air Force, entertaining U.S. troops in Europe. 1958 Made Broadway debut in Comes a Day. 1965 Cast as Major Anthony Nelson on NBC's I Dream of Jeannie. 1972 Directed and appeared (briefly) in the feature film Beware! The Blob. 1978 Joined the cast of CBS's Dallas as J.R. Ewing. 1980 Central figure in the worldwide 'Who shot J.R.?' television phenomenon. 1995 Underwent a life‑saving liver transplant following liver disease. 2001 Published autobiography Hello Darlin': Tall (and Absolutely True) Tales About My Life. 2012 Reprised J.R. Ewing in TNT's Dallas revival; died on November 23, 2012. Memorable screen quotes “Notable quotes could not be reliably verified from the supplied sources.” Public reference sources Public biography and credit reference.Larry Hagman - Wikipedia Public biography and credit reference.I Dream of Jeannie - Wikipedia Public biography and credit reference.Dallas (1978 TV series) - Wikipedia Biographical and credit details were checked against Larry Hagman - Wikipedia, I Dream of Jeannie - Wikipedia, Dallas (1978 TV series) - Wikipedia.