Barbara Eden Pays Tribute To Deceased Dallas Star Larry Hagman

Dallas, Texas – Barbara Eden pays tribute to Larry Hagman, who passed away at 81 years old from complications of cancer and liver disease at a hospital in Dallas, Texas. Barbara Eden reminisces, saying, “Larry was always, simply Larry.” Larry Hagman is best known for his role as JR Ewing in the TV show Dallas.

“I still cannot completely express the shock and impact from the news that Larry Hagman has passed,” Barbara Eden wrote on her Facebook page. “I can still remember, that first day on Zuma Beach with him, in the frigid cold. From that day for five more years, Larry was the center of so many fun, wild, shocking… and in retrospect, memorable moments that will remain in my heart forever.”

“He was such a key element in my life for so long and even, years after I Dream of Jeannie; our paths crossed many times,” Eden wrote. “Throughout various productions I had the pleasure of watching the Texas Tornado that was Larry Hagman. Amidst a whirlwind of big laughs, big smiles and unrestrained personality Larry was always, simply Larry. You couldn’t fault him for it, it was just who he was. I am so thankful that this past year I was able to spend time with him and experience yet again ‘Larry’ in all his Big Texas bravado.”

The actress continues, “I, like many others believed he had beat Cancer and yet we are reminded that life is never guaranteed. My deepest condolences go out to his wife Maj, his son and daughter and his grandchildren, as well as his friends in this time of his passing. I can honestly say that we’ve lost not just a great actor, not just a television icon, but an element of pure Americana. Goodbye Larry, there was no one like you before and there will never be anyone like you again.”

Over on EntertainmentWise other tributes from famous celebrities have come flooding in from all over the internet:

Piers Morgan: “Very sad to hear that Larry Hagman has died. His JR Ewing character was the greatest TV villain of them all. Wonderful actor.”

Derren Brown (Twitter): “Sad to hear Larry Hagman has finally hung up his Stetson. Met him recently and really liked him.”

Dallas co-star Ken Kercheval (Twitter): “A friend and long time partner… the other half…RIP Larry Hagman…. your spirit will live long.”

Richard Arnold (Twitter): My stetson. Removed as a mark of respect. Simply the most iconic TV character of all time #Larryhagman

Alex Jones (Twitter): Very sad to hear about Larry Hagman. He was only on the show a few months ago. A genuinely lovely man xx

William Shatner (Twitter): “My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Larry Hagman. My best, Bill.”

Larry King (Twitter): “I’m shocked. Larry Hagman was a dear man who had an incredible career. He helped me to stop smoking. He really was a very special person.”

Elizabeth Hurley (Twitter): “RIP Larry Hagman. Thank you for being such an entertaining actor and giving us such happy memories.”

According to Hollywood.com, Barbara Eden worked with Larry Hagman for years playing the role of the mystical genie—and eventual wife—of Larry Hagman’s Major Tony Nelson in I Dream of Jeannie. Barbara Eden also appeared alongside Hagman during a 1990 episode of Dallas, playing the role of a heiress attempting to get revenge against Larry Hagman’s JR Ewing character. They also came back together when I Dream of Jeannie went to TV Land and released on DVD.

Who still likes watching Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman on I Dream of Jeannie?