Veteran actor Larry Hagman dies

Jeanie has lost her master. Longtime actor Larry Hagman died November 23 in Dallas at the age of 81 as a result of complications from throat cancer.

Known my many as oil baron JR Ewing in the television drama “Dallas”, a whole generation of television viewers knew Hagman as Air Force Major Anthony Nelson - a role he prepared for in real life - in the sixties sitcom “I Dream of Jeanie”. Hagman parlayed s secondary role into a major character when he began adlibbing his lines on the set of “Dallas”.

The son of Broadway and Hollywood star Mary Martin, Hagman made his theatrical debut on the New York stage in “Taming of the Shrew”. It was in a production of “South Pacific” that Hagman met his wife Maj. Hagman had two children- Heidi and Preston – with Maj. Hagman served for five years in the United States Air Force as Director of Shows for the USO in Europe.

Hagman made his television debut in 1957 in an episode of “Decoy”. From there he went on to appear in over 100 movies and television episodes including the daytime dramas “Search for Tomorrow” and “The Edge of Night”, “Sea Hunt”, “The Defenders”, “The Rogues”, 139 episdoes of “I Dream of Jeanie”, “Love, American Style”, “Rod Serling’s Night Gallery”, 15 episodes of “The Good Life”, “Medical Center”, 13episodes of “Here We Go Again”, “Police Woman”, “McCloud”, “Police Story”, “Marcus Welby, M.D.”, “The Streets of San Francisco”, “Barnaby Jones”, “McMillan & Wife”, “The Rockford Files”, five episodes of “Knott’s Landing”, 356 episodes of “Dallas”, six episodes of “Orleans”, “Primary Colors”, six episodes of “Sheer Dallas”, “The Simpsons”, six episodes of “Nip/Tuck”, two episodes of “Desperate Housewives”, and his final role as JR Ewing in 10 episodes of “Dallas” 2012. Hagman filmed six episodes on season two of “Dallas” before his death.

More than just an actor, Hagman sang on two episodes of “I Dream of Jeanie” and an episode of “Applause”. He also directed a number of episodes including three “Jeanie’s”, two of “The Good Life”, “Beware the Blob”, 32 episodes of “Dallas” and seven of “In the Heat of the Night”

He was born Larry Martin Hagman on September 21, 1931 in Weatherford, Texas – near Fort Worth; the son of a district attorney father and actress mother.

Years of smoking, drinking and drugs took their toll of Hagman who battled cancer, had cirrhosis of the liver, and a liver transplant; not only gave up all of his vices, but became advocates for donor donations and supported various charitable organizations.

Hagman is survivied by his wife of 59 years Maj, children Heidi and Preston, and grandchildren.