Celebrity Nooz: Larry Hagman

Larry Hagman (Actor) - Dallas, I Dream of Jeannie

Updated: 8/20/10

Name: Larry Hagman

Born: September 21, 1931, Fort Worth, Texas

Claim To Fame: Hagman's most famous roles include playing J.R. Ewing in the 1980s primetime television soap opera Dallas and Major Anthony Nelson in the 1960s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie.

Family Life: In 1954, Hagman married Swedish-born Maj Axelsson and they had two children, Heidi Kristina (b. 1958) and Preston (b. 1962).

Info: It's not a big surprise that Hagman went into acting since his mother Mary Martin was a successful Broadway star. He first appeared on stage with the Margo Jones Theatre-in-the-Round in Dallas, and next in the New York City Center production of Taming the Shrew.

At this time, his mother was involved in the big stage hit, South Pacific, and Hagman moved to England to be part of the cast. While living in England, he joined the U.S. Air Force and stayed busy producing and directing shows for service members.

When his military service was complete, he moved back to New York and was cast in a series of Broadway and off-Broadway plays. Moving to television, Hagman made various guest appearances before being cast in the daytime series, The Edge of Night. He starred on the show for two years. He finally decided to pack up his family and move to Hollywood to pursue bigger roles.

This turned out to be an excellent move for his career. In 1965, he was cast as Major Anthony Nelson on the hit comedy series I Dream of Jeannie, and stayed on for the show's five year run. He and his co-star Barbara Eden turned the show into a success, and led to Hagman becoming a major TV star.

More roles soon followed, including appearances on The Good Life and Here We Go Again, and a starring role alongside Lauren Bacall in the television version of the hit Broadway musical Applause.

He found true fame as the man everyone loved to hate - corrupt millionaire J.R. Ewing - on the mega popular series Dallas. The series ran for an unprecedented 13 seasons (from 1978 - 1991), with Hagman's volatile character remaining the show's centerpiece for the entire run.

Trivia: Has been a member of the Peace and Freedom Party since the 1960s.

Hosted an eight-part documentary series on the history of Texas, called Lone Star.

Served as the National Spokesperson for the 1996 U.S. Transplant Games presented by the National Kidney Foundation.

Was chairperson of the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout from 1981 to 1992.

During the 80s, he was featured in a national televised Schlitz beer campaign, playing on Hagman's J.R. character from Dallas.

Underwent a life-saving liver transplant in 1995 after admitting he had been a heavy drinker.

Was drafted into the United States Air Force in 1952, during the Korean War.

Requires autograph seekers to sing a song for him or tell him a joke before giving his autograph.

Is a huge supporter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Is a long-time friend of the late Carroll O'Connor, and spoke as his funeral in 2001.

Was one of the few players on "Dallas" (1978) to stay on for the entire series.

Just before his future "Dallas" (1978) co-star, Patrick Duffy was born, Hagman would frequently visit Duffy's parents' home, as a teenager.

Was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in March 2009 in Austin, Tx.

Is Bridget Fonda's godfather.

Has three granddaughters: Noelle, Rebecca, and Tara.

Produced and directed shows for servicemen while he was stationed in the U. S. Air Force.

Earned a reported $75,000 to $100,000 an episode for "Dallas" (1978) in 1980.

Met his wife while he was stationed in England, UK.

Offered to pay for drug rehab for Robert Downey Jr. in 1996, after Downey asked to borrow $100,000 from him.

Has a ring made from the gallstones that were removed during his liver transplant.

Collects canes, hats and flags.

his mansion in California has been fittest with America?s biggest home solar power system.

Where Are They Now: Hagman most recently had a guest starring role during the 2006-2007 season of the FX series NIP/TUCK. He played Burt Landu, a business executive, who wants some cosmetic surgery of an intimate nature.

This year he began working as a spokesman for SolarWorld, a solar energy commercial enterprise. In the commercials, he supports solar energy by appearing as his J.R. Ewing character, who announces that his oil company days are long over and he is in the solar energy business instead.

Write To Larry Hagman:
Larry Hagman
Post Office Box 57593
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Videos: Lady In The Bottle - I Dream of Jeannie http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=2003 Too Many Tonys - I Dream of Jeannie http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=2005 Get Me To Mecca On Time - I Dream of Jeannie http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=2006 Dallas - Theme Song http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=2381 Dallas - Trailer http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=8445 Business Trip - Dallas http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=12240

Official Website: http://www.larryhagman.com

View other 'Where Are They Now' celebrities

Read the latest issue of Celebrity Nooz

Subscribe!