Larry Hagman

Larry Hagman could boast not one, but two, indelible characters during his storied acting career. After early work off-Broadway and scoring bit parts on several television series, Hagman made headway with a pair of roles in the feature films "Ensign Pulver" (1964) and "Fail Safe" (1964). He soon enjoyed mainstream success as astronaut Anthony Nelson opposite gorgeous wish-granter Barbara Eden on the classic sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie" (NBC, 1965-1970). Hagman later tried his luck with a couple failed sitcoms, while appearances - usually as a unrepentant cad - in films like "Mother, Juggs & Speed" (1976) and "The Eagle Has Landed" (1976) kept him in the public eye, if not always in the most flattering light. Then, after 20 years in the business, the veteran actor became a true television icon as the unscrupulous oil tycoon J.R. Ewing on the pop-culture phenomenon "Dallas" (CBS, 1978-1991). In the years that followed "Dallas," the actor popped up occasionally in films like "Nixon" (1995) and "Primary Colors" (1998), although poor health and lackluster projects stood in the way of a return to the top of the TV ratings. That was until he returned to the city that made him famous, once again starring as J.R. on a series continuation of "Dallas" (TNT, 2012-14), one of the surprise hits of year. By now so famous that even his eyebrows had their own Facebook page, Hagman was once again a primetime star, even in the twilight of his career. Sadly for fans, he would pass away of cancer before the second season of his monumental comeback.