Larry Hagman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Larry Hagman
Hagman in 1973
Born	Larry Martin Hagman (1931-09-21)September 21, 1931 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Died	November 23, 2012(2012-11-23) (aged 81) Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Education	Bard College, New York (withdrawn)
Occupation	Actor, director, producer
Years active	1950–2012
Known for	I Dream of Jeannie (1965–1970) Dallas (1978–1991) Dallas (2012–2013)
Spouse(s)	Maj Axelsson ​ (m. 1954)​
Children	2
Parent(s)	Mary Martin (mother)
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1952–1956
Rank	Airman 1st Class
Unit	Allied Forces Central Europe (AFCENT)
Battles/wars	Korean War

Larry Martin Hagman (born September 21, 1931 – died November 23, 2012) was an American actor, director, and producer. He was famous for playing two very different characters. One was the clever oil businessman J. R. Ewing in the TV show Dallas (from 1978 to 1991). The other was the confused astronaut Major Anthony Nelson in the comedy show I Dream of Jeannie (from 1965 to 1970).

Larry Hagman also appeared in many movies, like Fail-Safe and Nixon. He guest-starred in many TV shows throughout his career. He was the son of famous actress Mary Martin. In 1995, he had a life-saving liver transplant. Larry Hagman passed away on November 23, 2012, due to complications from a type of blood cancer called acute myeloid leukemia.

Early Life and Education

Larry Hagman was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 21, 1931. His mother, Mary Martin, became a big star on Broadway after he was born. His father, Benjamin Jackson Hagman, was an accountant and lawyer. Larry's parents separated when he was five years old.

He lived with his grandmother in Texas and California for a while. Later, he joined his mother in New York City. In 1946, Larry moved back to Weatherford, where he finished high school. Even though his father wanted him to be a lawyer, Larry loved drama classes. He decided to become an actor after graduating in 1949. He studied dance and drama at Bard College in New York but left after one year.

Acting Career Begins

Larry Hagman started his acting career in 1950. He performed in plays at the Woodstock Playhouse in Woodstock, New York. He also worked as a production assistant and acted in small roles in Dallas. He appeared in the play The Taming of the Shrew in New York City.

In 1951, Hagman acted alongside his mother in the London production of South Pacific. He stayed with the show for almost a year. In 1952, he joined the United States Air Force. He spent most of his military service entertaining U.S. troops in the United Kingdom and Europe.

After leaving the Air Force in 1956, Hagman returned to New York City. He performed in several off-Broadway plays. His first show on Broadway was Comes a Day in 1958. He also appeared in many live television programs during this time.

His first TV role was in 1957 in the crime show Decoy. In 1958, he guest-starred in Harbormaster and appeared three times on Sea Hunt. From 1961 to 1963, he was part of the daytime soap opera The Edge of Night. In 1964, he made his film debut in Ensign Pulver and also appeared in Fail-Safe.

I Dream of Jeannie

Hagman and Barbara Eden on I Dream of Jeannie (1965)

In 1965, Larry Hagman got a starring role in the NBC comedy I Dream of Jeannie. He played Air Force Captain Anthony Nelson, who finds a "genie" played by Barbara Eden. The show was very popular and ran for five seasons until 1970. It was one of NBC's most successful comedies at the time.

Later, two reunion movies were made, but Hagman was not in them. However, he did reunite with his Jeannie co-stars, Barbara Eden and Bill Daily, for TV shows and events over the years. In 2006, Hagman and Eden even performed together in a play called Love Letters.

Dallas

In 1978, Hagman was offered a role in a new TV series called Dallas. He played J.R. Ewing, a clever and sometimes mean oil businessman. Larry and his wife thought the role was perfect for him. Hagman based his character partly on a real person he knew from his youth.

Dallas became a huge hit all over the world, shown in 90 countries. Larry Hagman became one of the most famous TV stars of that time. The show was known for its exciting cliffhangers. One of the most famous was in 1980, when J.R. Ewing was shot by an unknown person. This led to the worldwide question, "Who shot J.R.?"

During this time, Hagman was negotiating his contract for a higher salary. He did not appear much in the first episode of the new season. Eventually, the show's producers agreed to his demands, and he became one of the highest-paid stars on television. The mystery of "Who shot J.R.?" was finally revealed in a record-breaking episode.

For his role as J.R. Ewing, Hagman was nominated for many awards, including the Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award. He won several Soap Opera Digest Awards for his performance. Dallas ran for 14 seasons, ending in 1991. Larry Hagman was the only actor to appear in all 357 episodes. He also made guest appearances on the spin-off series Knots Landing. After Dallas ended, he returned as J.R. Ewing in two TV movies.

In 2012, Larry Hagman returned to play J.R. Ewing in a new continuation of Dallas on TNT. He said it was "fun to play the villain." Sadly, due to Hagman's death in 2012, his character J.R. was also written off the show in the second season.

Other Work

Television and Film

TV series Here We Go Again (1973): From top: Dick Gautier, Nita Talbot, Hagman and Diane Baker

Larry Hagman starred in other TV series like The Good Life (1971–1972) and Here We Go Again (1973). In 1997, he starred in Orleans as Judge Luther Charbonnet. He also made a guest appearance in Desperate Housewives in 2011.

Besides acting, Hagman directed episodes of I Dream of Jeannie, The Good Life, Dallas, and In the Heat of the Night.

He appeared in many feature films, including The Group, Harry and Tonto, Mother, Jugs & Speed, and Superman. In 1972, he directed a comedy and horror film called Beware! The Blob, which was a sequel to an older horror movie. This was the only feature film he directed.

Music and Commercials

In 1950, Larry Hagman recorded a song called Get Out Those Old Records with his mother, Mary Martin. In 1980, he recorded a single called "Ballad of the Good Luck Charm."

During the 1980s, Hagman was featured in commercials for Schlitz beer. He often wore a cowboy hat, similar to his J.R. Ewing character. He also made commercials for BVD underwear. In 2010, Hagman became a spokesman for SolarWorld, a company that makes solar energy products. In these commercials, he hinted at his J.R. Ewing character, saying his oil company days were over and he was now in the solar energy business.

Personal Life

Hagman with Maj Axelsson in 1983

Hagman in August 2011

Larry Hagman reconciled with his mother, Mary Martin, after his stepfather passed away in 1973. They remained close until her death in 1990.

In 1954, Hagman married Maj Axelsson, who was from Sweden. They had two children, Heidi Kristina and Preston. They lived in Malibu, California, and later moved to Ojai.

In 1995, Larry Hagman had a life-saving liver transplant due to serious health issues. He had also been a heavy smoker when he was younger but quit at age 34. He was the chairman of the American Cancer Society's annual Great American Smokeout for many years. He also supported the National Kidney Foundation.

Hagman was a big fan of the Romanian soccer team FC Steaua București. In 2001, he wrote his autobiography called Hello Darlin': Tall (and Absolutely True) Tales About My Life. He was also a supporter of alternative energy. In 2008, he and his wife showed their solar-powered, energy-efficient home on a TV show, talking about their green lifestyle. His wife, Maj, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2008. Larry took care of her, but as her condition worsened, she needed 24-hour nursing care.

Friendship with Carroll O'Connor

Larry Hagman had a long and close friendship with actor Carroll O'Connor. Their friendship began in 1959 when they were both starting their acting careers in New York. They shared many experiences, including negotiating their contracts for higher salaries on their famous TV shows. Hagman's daughter even appeared on O'Connor's show, Archie Bunker's Place. Hagman also directed several episodes of O'Connor's later series, In the Heat of the Night. Both actors faced serious health challenges, but they remained close friends. Hagman even gave a speech at O'Connor's son's funeral.

Illness and Passing

In June 2011, Larry Hagman announced he had throat cancer. He said he would continue working on the new Dallas series while receiving treatment. He had a small tumor removed from his tongue. By June 2012, the cancer was in remission. However, in July 2012, doctors diagnosed him with myelodysplastic syndrome, a condition that can lead to leukemia.

Larry Hagman passed away on November 23, 2012, in Dallas. He died from complications related to acute myeloid leukemia. His family and close friends were with him during the Thanksgiving holiday. His family stated that it was a peaceful passing, just as he had wished. The New York Times newspaper called him "one of television's most beloved villains."

Tributes from Co-Stars

Actress Barbara Eden, who played Jeannie on I Dream of Jeannie, said Larry was a very smart actor. She mentioned their great on-screen chemistry, saying it "was not work" and "our timing was right."

Actress Linda Gray, who played Sue Ellen Ewing on Dallas, called Hagman her "best friend for 35 years." She was with him when he passed away. She said, "He was the Pied Piper of life and brought joy to everyone he knew. He was creative, generous, funny, loving and talented and I will miss him enormously."

Actor Patrick Duffy, who played Bobby Ewing on Dallas, was also by his side. He said, "Friday, I lost one of the greatest friends ever to grace my life. The loneliness is only what is difficult, as Larry’s peace and comfort is always what is important to me, now as when he was here."

TV and Filmography

Stage Performances

• South Pacific (1950) London
• The Taming of the Shrew (1951) Broadway
• Comes a Day (1958) Broadway
• God and Kate Murphy (1958) Broadway
• The Nervous Set (1959) Broadway
• The Warm Peninsula (1959) Broadway
• The Beauty Part (1962) Broadway
• Love Letters (2005 - 2006) tour

See also

In Spanish: Larry Hagman para niños