# J. R. finally dies - Larry Hagman dead at 81. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 24, 2012, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959 "2012-11-24T04:18:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Corcaigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Corcaigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corcaigh)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/21 "2012-11-24T15:35:00Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > How ironic. In the Dallas reboot it was Bobby who was ill and J.R. who was at his bedside. I watched the first season and enjoyed every moment he was on screen. I wonder if John Ross will become every bit as ruthless as his father was. I was surprised at how well he was looking [in Dallas] and how well he’d brought JR back to the TV. Show won’t be the same without him. R.I.P. Larry ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/22 "2012-11-24T18:08:26Z")
I also had the privilege of working with Larry Hagman and Linda Gray when they were doing a show together. Larry Hagman was a really nice guy - that big 'ol grin you see on J.R.'s face in Dallas? Well, he was pretty much always grinning - really nice to his fans who would approach for autographs, and an easy guy to work with; no backstage nastiness nor diva demands. He did have one hard and fast rule - as an ex-smoker who quit when he got cancer, he was avid about no-smoking anywhere near him or where he worked. He had a gregarious personality and was taller than most actors (over 6 feet easily) and just filled a room wherever he went. He will be missed, but just thought others might like to know he was a great guy in real life - despite his nasty J.R. persona. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/23 "2012-11-24T18:41:39Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > He had a gregarious personality and was taller than most actors (over 6 feet easily) and just filled a room wherever he went. He will be missed, but just thought others might like to know he was a great guy in real life - despite his nasty J.R. persona. I always got the impression he was a nice guy. Gald to hear it was true. Sounds like he was happy and in good shape almost to the end, with a long life he enjoyed well and made others happier for knowing him. Can’ ask for much more than that. But he will always be Major Nelson to me. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/24 "2012-11-24T19:02:22Z")
I remember he did a PSA for the American Cancer Society where his companion lights up a cigarette, and he coolly turns on this mini-fan blowing the smoke right back in the companion’s face. I thought that was cool back in the early 80’s. I think he was one of the first big celebs to quit smoking and then become a strong anti-smoking advocate. Loved him as J.R., he was such an evil bastard, always getting one over on Cliff Barnes. But damn it, I always thought J.R. was a cool mofo doing it. Whether he was screwing over Cliff, Bobby, or Sue Ellen (literally), I always thought he had a (twisted) point. RIP Larry. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/25 "2012-11-24T19:11:54Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > He was also very good, holding his own opposite Henry Fonda, as the Russian translator in _Fail-Safe_. May he rest in peace. And he once played Sherlock Holmes! ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/26 "2012-11-24T19:26:20Z")
I just remembered when he played a “customer” on Nip Tuck. He pretty much was the JR personna. He had ball cancer (or perhaps they just weren’t big enough… I forget). Anyways, the character wanted some silicon replacement/enhancement for the boys. And the surgeons are asking how BIG? And he says something like “watermelon” sized. It was just a small role, and it certainly was tounge in cheek, but it was fun to watch. I think ole Larry enjoyed making fun of himself in that one. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/27 "2012-11-25T00:50:14Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > And he once played Sherlock Holmes! Now that’s just wrong: [http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2845/rgd2.jpg](http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2845/rgd2.jpg) [![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31bi7x-EF%2BL._SL500_AA300_.jpg) ](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31bi7x-EF%2BL._SL500_AA300_.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/28 "2012-11-25T01:40:55Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Now that’s just wrong: > > [ImageShack - Best place for all of your image hosting and image sharing needs](http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2845/rgd2.jpg) > [http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31bi7x-EF%2BL.\_SL500\_AA300\_.jpg](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31bi7x-EF%2BL._SL500_AA300_.jpg) But hilarious! ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/29 "2012-11-25T02:38:41Z")
A friend says he always liked to think that Capt Tony Nelson, with the help of Jeannie, was transformed into JR Ewing, and that JR kept Jeannie around to persecute his enemies and perform kinky sex. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/30 "2012-11-25T05:06:06Z")
As far as the program\* Dallas \*is concerned, I am reminded of a passage from _Othello:_ Give me to know How this foul rout began, who set it on, And he that is approv’d in this offence…" Perhaps there was a production executive of _Dallas_ living vicariously through J. R. Ewing. If I had ever known the executive’s identity I could have forgotten about Hagman altogether. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/31 "2012-11-25T05:31:48Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > As far as the program\* Dallas \*is concerned, I am reminded of a passage from _Othello:_ > > Give me to know > How this foul rout began, who set it on, > And he that is approv’d in this offence…" > > Perhaps there was a production executive of _Dallas_ living vicariously through J. R. Ewing. If I had ever known the executive’s identity I could have forgotten about Hagman altogether. 😛 You don’t really think the character of JR just sprang out of nowhere, do you? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/32 "2012-11-25T06:01:12Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > You don’t really think the character of JR just sprang out of nowhere, do you? 😉 No. I would have loved to see a spring spring \*boing, boing, boing \*out of a spring at Hot Springs National Park or out of someone’s forehead like Minerva. :rolleyes: You’re missing my point. I’m looking for someone to _ **blame** _ the character on! ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/33 "2012-11-25T07:25:04Z")
My favorite role of his was as the translator in the 1964 movie _[Fail-Safe](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058083/)_. It also featured a great dramatic performance by, or all people, Dom DeLuise. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_jeffrey_lebowski/32/215_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/34 "2012-11-25T10:32:51Z")
Larry was apparently quite a pothead. > [@](#): > > Hagman told the Times that after death he wanted his remains to be “spread over a field and have marijuana and wheat planted and harvest it in a couple of years and then have a big marijuana cake, enough for 200 to 300 people. People would eat a little of Larry.” ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/35 "2012-11-25T10:52:31Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](#): > > Larry was apparently quite a pothead. Reportedly quite the fan of LSD too. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/36 "2012-11-25T16:07:46Z")
He was also quite the freestyle frisbee and disc golf player back in the day. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/37 "2012-11-25T17:53:54Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > [Link.](http://www.celebuzz.com/2012-11-23/dallas-actor-larry-hagman-dies-aged-81/) > > Liked him as Major Nelson and loved him in the first incarnation of _Dallas_. I remember actually _caring_ who shot J. R. By the way, I called it. Kristin did it. Whoa, whoa, whoa! Spoiler! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Nuveena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a587f6/32.png) [@Nuveena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nuveena)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/38 "2012-11-25T18:09:13Z")
He had the best eyebrows in the business. They deserved their own Emmy. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/39 "2012-11-25T18:32:39Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Odd, but BBC and other news services I’ve seen today have not even mentioned _I Dream of Jeannie_. I don’t think it was ever on BBC. ITV showed it in its original run, and years later it was on Channel 4. Larry Hagman was primarily known here for _Dallas_. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959/40 "2012-11-25T19:04:04Z")
Wonder if they’re going to do something dramatic with the character’s death on the _Dallas_ reboot? (I can’t see them recasting the part.) Kind of boring to just have an episode where people are standing around saying, “Wow, so J.R. died in his sleep.” Much more interesting to have him be murdered (off camera) and do another whodunnit. Not shot this time, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-r-finally-dies-larry-hagman-dead-at-81/641959.md?page=3)