IN MEMORIAM: Larry Hagman, 1931-2012

The versatile and talented Larry Hagman died today at the age of 81 from throat cancer. Hagman was the son of famed actress Mary Martin and had a long and very successful career in television. He was first known as Major Anthony Nelson, the harried and manic master of Jeannie on the classic 1960s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. The show was never a major hit in its day but has lived on for decades in syndication. For a lot of people, that could be their best known role but Hagman became iconic as the sinister oilman JR Ewing on the long running primetime soap Dallas from 1978-1991. Hagman's portrayal of JR is one of the most memorable roles of all time and his hard living during that era only further added to the legend.

Hagman had a couple unsuccessful series too including the sitcom Here We Go Again (1973) and drama Orleans (1997) but he came back to the forefront of pop culture just this year in TNT's highly praised reboot of Dallas where he put the cowboy hat back on as JR. Hagman was widely praised in this revival and was in the middle of filming the second season when he died.

To see my Weekend Rewind on I Dream of Jeannie from March 2011, click here.

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