Larry Hagman, who played J.R. the conniving, villainous head of the Ewing clan on the TV series Dallas, died today at a Dallas hospital, sources close to the actor told the Dallas Morning News. He was 81. Born in Fort Worth, Hagman was the son of legendary actress Mary Martin. He played the character in the long-running primetime soap from 1978 through 1991 on CBS. He returned last year when the series was resurrected on TNT, focusing on a new generation of Ewings. Prior to Dallas, Hagman’s biggest TV role has been as the astronaut Major Anthony Nelson on NBC’s I Dream Of Jeannieopposite Barbara Eden. Among those confirming the death were Linda Gray’s agent, Jeffrey Lane, who said the actress was at Hagman’s bedside when he died. Lane said another co-star, Patrick Duffy, was also present. Hagman appeared in Season 1 of the Dallas reboot and had filmed part of Season 2. When his mother moved to New York to continue her acting career, Hagman lived with his grandmother in Los Angeles until she died. He then moved to New York where he eventually followed his mother to the stage. After years of guest turns on TV, Hagman landed in I Dream Of Jeannie which ran for five years. In 1964 he made his film debut in Ensign Pulver and appeared in Fail Safe which starred Henry Fonda.
, RIP.