Larry Hagman, best known for playing J.R. Ewing on the TV show “Dallas,” died Friday at a Dallas hospital at the age of 81, reports The Dallas Morning News.
Hagman reportedly died at 4:20 p.m. Friday at Medical City Dallas Hospital from complications of his recent battle with cancer, members of his family said.
Larry was back in his beloved Dallas, re-enacting the iconic role he loved most, the family said in a statement. Larrys family and close friends had joined him in Dallas for the Thanksgiving holiday. When he passed, he was surrounded by loved ones. It was a peaceful passing, just as he had wished for. The family requests privacy at this time.
Hagman, who also starred on “I Dream of Jeannie,” returned to Dallas to film season one of TNT’s “Dallas” and part of season two. He had filmed six of the 15 episodes for the new season, which returns on January 28.
Warner Bros. TV and “Dallas” executive producers Cynthia Cidre and Michael M. Robin made the following statement: “Larry Hagman was a giant, a larger-than-life personality whose iconic performance as J.R. Ewing will endure as one of the most indelible in entertainment history. He truly loved portraying this globally recognized character, and he leaves a legacy of entertainment, generosity and grace. Everyone at Warner Bros. and in the Dallas family is deeply saddened by Larry’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family and dear friends during this difficult time.”
TNT provided this statement on the death of Hagman: “All of us at TNT are deeply saddened at the news of Larry Hagman’s passing. He was a wonderful human being and an extremely gifted actor. We will be forever thankful that a whole new generation of people got to know and appreciate Larry through his performance as J.R. Ewing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.”
