Actor Larry Hagman, famous for his roles on I Dream Of Jeannie and Dallas , has died of cancer at the age of 81.
Larry Hagman was well-known to viewers for his role as Major Tony Nelson on the 60s hit sitcom, but the actor’s tenure on Dallas was one of the defining roles of the 1980s. Hagman, a Texas native himself, played the central character JR Ewing on the watershed network drama, and the “who shot JR?” storyline emerged as one of the decade’s most memorable pop-culture cliches.
Ultimately, it was in the show’s namesake city and where it was set that Larry Hagman died, after a recurring battle with cancer.
Hagman died today in a Dallas hospital at 4:20 PM local time, and family of the veteran Hollywood star released a statement confirming his death and noting the significance of the city of Dallas as the actor’s final moments.
In the brief statement, the family of Larry Hagman explained that loved ones had come to visit for Thanksgiving before he passed on:
“Larry was back in his beloved Dallas, re-enacting the iconic role he loved most … Larry’s family and close friends had joined him in Dallas for the Thanksgiving holiday.”
Hagman’s family also said that the actor was pleased to be joined by those he loved in his home city, and asked for some media space after the star’s death:
“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.”
Funeral arrangements have yet to be made after Larry Hagman’s death.
