There’s some sad news to report this holiday weekend, word just broke that beloved actor Larry Hagman (age 81) passed away earlier this afternoon at a Dallas hospital. I’ve always loved Larry, from I Dream of Jeannie to his legendary turn on Dallas as J.R. Ewing. A few months ago I had the pleasure of meeting him in person at the press junket for TNT‘s revival of Dallas. I was honored to be in his presence, it truly saddens me to think he isn’t with us anymore. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends, I know both Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray must be devastated over losing their friend and co-star. I’ll never forget watching Dallas on Friday nights back in the day with my mom, this marks the end of an era. May Larry Hagman rest in peace, he will without a doubt be missed.
Larry Hagman, the North Texas native who played the conniving and mischievous J.R. Ewing on the TV show Dallas, died Friday afternoon at a Dallas hospital, according to sources close to the actor. He was 81.
The iconic role changed Mr. Hagman’s life. He rocketed from being a merely well-known TV actor on I Dream of Jeannie and the son of Broadway legend Mary Martin, to the kind of transnational fame known only by the likes of the Beatles and Muhammad Ali.
Among those confirming the death were Linda Gray’s agent, Jeffrey Lane, who said the actress was at Mr. Hagman’s bedside when he died at a Dallas hospital, according to The Sun in London. He said another co-star, Patrick Duffy, was also present. “They had been friends for 35 years and they had worked together for many years, so obviously it is devastating,” Mr. Lane told The Sun. SOURCE