Larry Hagman, who starred as corrupt oil baron J.R. Ewing in the long-running series "Dallas" years after playing astronaut Anthony "Tony" Nelson on "I Dream of Jeannie" has died. He was 81.
According to the Dallas Morning News, Hagman died at 4:20 p.m. Friday at Medical City Dallas Hospital of complications from throat cancer.
Hagman had recently reprised his role as Ewing in the TNT revival of "Dallas," which premiered earlier this year. The original CBS series ran from 1978-1991 and became a wildly-popular fixture of American life.
The TNT program's executive producers Cyntia Cidre and Michael M. Robin –speaking for themselves as well as the show's cast and crew — issued a statement to TheWrap late Friday.
"Larry Hagman was a giant, a larger-than-life personality whose iconic performance as J.R. Ewing will endure as one of the most indelible in entertainment history," the statement reads. "He truly loved portraying this globally recognized character, and he leaves a legacy of entertainment, generosity and grace. Everyone at Warner Bros. and in the "Dallas" family is deeply saddened by Larry's passing, and our thoughts are with his family and dear friends during this difficult time."
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According to a statement released to the Dallas paper by Hagman's family, the actor spent Thanksgiving with close friends, and died "surrounded by loved ones" including his "Dallas" co-stars Linda Evans and Patrick Duffy.
“Larry was back in his beloved Dallas, re-enacting the iconic role he loved most,” the statement read. “Larry’s family and close friends had joined him in Dallas for the Thanksgiving holiday. When he passed, he was surrounded by loved ones. It was a peaceful passing, just as he had wished for. The family requests privacy at this time.”
Hagman was born in Fort Worth, Texas and was the son of Broadway legend Mary Martin. He-co starred with actress Barbara Eden on "I Dream of Jeannie."