Larry martin Hagman is an American film and television actor, producer as well as director. He was born on September 21, 1931 in Fort Worth, Texas. His parents were Mary Martin and Benjamin Jack Hagman. He is notable for his portrayal in the soap opera “Dallas” where he played the role J.R. Ewing in 1980s as well as in the sitcom “I Dream of Jeanie”. Hagman’s parents separated when he was only five years old.
He started working as a production assistant in Texas as well as doing small part in Margo Jones’ Theater in the year 1950. Hagman made his television debut in “Decoy”. He also appeared in several television series such as “Goodyear Television Playhouse”, “The United States Steel Hour”, “Knots Landing The Simpsons”, and “The Streets of San Francisco”.
He had his biggest break in the sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie” of NBC in the year 1995. He played the role of Barbara’s love interest named Anthony Nelson. He also had other short-lived series like “Here We go Again” as well as “The Good Life”. Hagman also became prominent for his portrayal in the TV series “Dallas”. He played the role J.R. Ewing in the TV series. He was casted with Barbara Bel Geddes, Jim Davis, Patrick Duffy, Steve Kanaly, and Victoria Principal. Because of the performance in Dallas, he earned two nominations from Emmy Awards under the category “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He also received four nominations from Golden Globe. Hagman was also nominated in the Soap Opera Digest Award for seven times under the categories Outstanding Villain on a Prime Time Serial, Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role on a Prime Time Serial, Favorite Super Couple: Prime Time and Outstanding Actor in a Comic Relief Role on a Prime Time Serial. He convinced his real life mother to replace the role of Barbara Bel Geddes who left the show after having a heart attack. However, her mother refused the offer which led the veteran actress Donna Reed to play the role of Miss Ellie.
In the year 1985, Bel Geddes returned to the show up to 1990. In 1985, Tilton and Patrick Duffy left the show. Due to the decline of ratings, CBS decided to end the series Dallas. Hagman appeared in the “The Donny and Marie Show” where he was casted with his former co-stars in I Dream of Jeannie including Barbara Eden and Bill Daily as well as Sidney Sheldon.
In the year 1954, Hagman married the Swedish born Maj Axelsson. They had two children named Heidi Kristina and Preston. They are currently living Ojai, California. In August 1995, Hagmn underwent a liver transplant after admitting that he was a heavy drinker before. He was also a smoker, however, he quitted it early on time. There was also incident in Hagman’s life that he used marijuana which was introduced by Jack Nicholson. The musician David Crosby gave Hagman LSD after the Crosby, Still, and Nash concert. Hagman was the chairman of the American Cancer Society’s annual Great American Smokeout for various years.
On October 14, 2011, Hagman revealed that he had been diagnosed of cancer. However, he did not specify the type of malignancy. He stated that the cancer he has is very common and treatable. He added that he will receive treatment while working in the new season of Dallas.
Larry Hagman Photo Gallery
