Larry Hagman

Actor
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

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About
About this interview

In his three-hour Archive interview, Larry Hagman (1931-2012)  speaks about his early days acting on the stage, including a London run of "South Pacific," in which he appeared with his mother Mary Martin. He talks about some of his first appearances in "live" television and his later work in filmed shows, including soap operas (such as Edge of Night) and drama series. He speaks in great detail about one of the two series for which he is most identified, I Dream of Jeannie, where he played "Major Tony Nelson." He speaks about his series co-stars, the behind-the-scenes talent, and memorable guest stars. He briefly talks about several television movies and series he appeared in during the 1970s. He then details his work as the star of the popular primetime serial Dallas, playing "J. R. Ewing." Hagman discusses the production of the series (for which he also directed) and talks about memorable storylines and episodes. Among the storylines he discusses are the ratings blockbuster of the third season when audiences wondered "Who shot J.R.?" and the surprise return of Patrick Duffy in the show's ninth season.  B-roll consists of Hagman showing off mock-up "J.R. Ewing" $10,000 bills, which he gives out to fans. Dan Pasternack conducted the interview in Santa Monica, CA on December 7, 2004.

"Dallas is certainly the highlight of my career. There's nothing I've ever done as big, and most actors never had a chance to do anything that big either. Who knows why."

People Talking About ...
Larry Hagman
Highlights
Larry Hagman on the infamous "Who shot J.R.?" storyline on Dallas
Larry Hagman on the start of his acting career
Larry Hagman on standing up for his vision of Dallas
Larry Hagman on the premise of I Dream of Jeannie
Larry Hagman on negotiating for a raise on I Dream of Jeannie
Full Interview

Chapter 1
On his early years and his mother, actress Mary Martin
On choosing acting as a profession and his early roles
On his early television roles

Chapter 2
On appearing on The Defenders; and making the films Fail-Safe and In Harm's Way
On appearing on The Rogues; and the importance of memorizing lines
On getting the role of Maj. Anthony Nelson on I Dream of Jeannie and working with the cast and crew
On the production aspects of I Dream of Jeannie

Chapter 3
On working on I Dream of Jeannie; including standards and practices on the show, special effects, and directing a number of episodes
On guest stars on I Dream of Jeannie, including Sammy Davis Jr., Milton Berle, and Don Rickles

Chapter 4
On some of his short-lived post-I Dream of Jeannie roles, including Streets of San Francisco, McCloud, and the feature films Superman and S.O.B., and the sitcom The Good Life
On being cast as J.R. Ewing on Dallas 
On working with the cast and crew of Dallas

Chapter 5
On shooting the first 5 episodes of Dallas and the appeal of the Southfork Ranch locale
On the camaraderie on the set of Dallas
On the infamous "Who shot J.R.?" storyline of Dallas
On Howard Keel joining the cast of Dallas  
On Patrick Duffy's leaving and returning to Dallas ("dream season")

Chapter 6
On filming Dallas on-location; on the departure of castmembers Barbara Bel Geddes, Victoria Principal, and Dack Rambo
On becoming executive producer of Dallas, the Knots Landing spinoff, and the end of the Dallas series
On the characters and legacy of Dallas
On continuing to direct after the end of Dallas; battling major health issues
On starring in the short-lived series Orleans
On appearing in the feature film Primary Colors
On summing up his career, his friendship with Carroll O'Connor, and how he would like to be remembered
EXTRA: Larry Hagman displays a specially-printed bill he gives to fans
Shows

Dallas

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Larry Hagman on a joke played on him by Patrick Duffy during Dallas
Larry Hagman on being cast as J.R. Ewing on Dallas
Larry Hagman on his Dallas character, J.R. Ewing
Larry Hagman on working with the producers of Dallas and his involvement in the return of Patrick Duffy to the show
Larry Hagman on working with his co-stars on Dallas including Linda Gray, David Wayne, Ken Kercheval, Jim Davis, Barbara Bel Geddes, and Charlene Tilton
Larry Hagman on shooting the first 5 episodes of Dallas and the appeal of the Southfork Ranch locale
Larry Hagman on the Dallas storyline where his character, "J.R. Ewing" is shot (Who shot J.R.?)
Larry Hagman on Bobby Ewing's (Patrick Duffy) departure and return to Dallas
Larry Hagman on the final episode of Dallas, "It's a Wonderful Life"
Larry Hagman on filming Dallas on-location in extreme heat
Larry Hagman on Barbara Bel Geddes being replaced by Donna Reed on Dallas
Larry Hagman on the departures of Dallas co-stars Victoria Principal and Dack Rambo
Larry Hagman on becoming an executive producer of Dallas
Larry Hagman on the ending of Dallas and the subsequent reunion shows
Larry Hagman on the legacy of Dallas

Dallas: J. R. Returns

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Larry Hagman on the ending of Dallas and the subsequent reunion shows

Defenders, The

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Larry Hagman briefly on appearing on The Defenders and trying to match takes

Edge of Night, The

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Larry Hagman on his role on The Edge of Night
Larry Hagman on the difficulties of working on The Edge of Night

Good Life, The (1971-72)

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Larry Hagman on starring in the short-lived sitcom, The Good Life

I Dream of Jeannie

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Larry Hagman on being cast in the role off Maj. Anthony Nelson on I Dream of Jeannie
Larry Hagman on the premise of I Dream of Jeannie
Larry Hagman on working with the cast of I Dream of Jeannie: Barbara Eden, Bill Daily, and Hayden Rorke
Larry Hagman on the production details of I Dream of Jeannie
Larry Hagman on working with Sidney Sheldon on I Dream of Jeannie
Larry Hagman on the "navel" controversy on I Dream of Jeannie

Knots Landing

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Larry Hagman on Dallas "spinoff" Knots Landing

Orleans

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Larry Hagman on starring in the short-lived series Orleans

Rogues, The

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Larry Hagman on appearing on The Rogues

Tex and Jinx Show, The

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Larry Hagman on his very first TV appearance, on The Tex and Jinx Show

West Point

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Larry Hagman on arriving late to the set for a guest appearance on The West Point Story
Topics

Bloopers

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Larry Hagman on a mistake made by a fellow actor on a live broadcast of The Edge of Night
Larry Hagman on a joke played on him by Patrick Duffy during Dallas

Censorship / Standards & Practices

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Larry Hagman on the "navel" controversy on I Dream of Jeannie

Characters & Catchphrases

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Larry Hagman on his Dallas character, J.R. Ewing

Drama

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Larry Hagman on the infamous "Who shot J.R.?" storyline of Dallas

Korean War

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Larry Hagman on joining the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and handling troop entertainment in NCO clubs
Professions

Actor

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Larry Hagman on negotiating for a raise on I Dream of Jeannie
Genres

Comedy Series

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Larry Hagman on the premise of I Dream of Jeannie

Daytime/Primetime Serials

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Larry Hagman on his role on The Edge of Night
Larry Hagman on the infamous "Who shot J.R.?" storyline of Dallas
People

Philip Capice

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Larry Hagman on working with producer Phil Capice on Dallas

Hal Cooper

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Larry Hagman on working with directr Hal Cooper on I Dream of Jeannie

Jackie Cooper

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Larry Hagman on negotiating for a raise on I Dream of Jeannie

Bill Daily

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Larry Hagman on working with Bill Daily on I Dream of Jeannie

Jim Davis

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Larry Hagman on working with co-star Jim Davis as Jock Ewing on Dallas; and learning of his death during the show's run

Patrick Duffy

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Larry Hagman on a joke played on him by Patrick Duffy during Dallas
Larry Hagman on co-star Patrick Duffy's leaving and returning to Dallas
Larry Hagman on Bobby Ewing's (Patrick Duffy) departure and return to Dallas

Barbara Eden

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Larry Hagman on working with Barbara Eden on I Dream of Jeannie
Larry Hagman on the "navel" controversy on I Dream of Jeannie

Henry Fonda

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Larry Hagman briefly on appearing on The Defenders and trying to match takes

Chuck Fries

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Larry Hagman on negotiating for a raise on I Dream of Jeannie

Barbara Bel Geddes

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Larry Hagman on working with Barbara Bel Geddes on Dallas
Larry Hagman on co-star Barbara Bel Geddes' dispute with Dallas producers
Larry Hagman on Barbara Bel Geddes being replaced by Donna Reed on Dallas

Linda Gray

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Larry Hagman on working with co-star Linda Gray on Dallas

Claudio Guzman

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Larry Hagman on working with Claudio Guzman on I Dream of Jeannie (and who Hagman credits with saving his life)

David Jacobs

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Larry Hagman briefly on Dallas creator David Jacobs

Leonard Katzman

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Larry Hagman on working with producer Leonard Katzman on Dallas

Howard Keel

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Larry Hagman on Howard Keel joining the cast of Dallas

Ken Kercheval

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Larry Hagman on working with Ken Kercheval (as Cliff Barnes) on Dallas

Karl Malden

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Larry Hagman briefly on working with Karl Malden on Streets of San Francisco

Mary Martin

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Larry Hagman on his childhood (and his mother, Mary Martin)

Burgess Meredith

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Larry Hagman on working with Burgess Meredith and Carroll O'Connor on the stage production "God and Kate Murphy"

Carroll O'Connor

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Larry Hagman on working with Burgess Meredith and Carroll O'Connor on the stage production "God and Kate Murphy"
Larry Hagman on his friendship with Carroll O'Connor

Otto Preminger

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Larry Hagman on working on the feature films, Fail-Safe and In Harm's Way

Victoria Principal

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Larry Hagman on the departures of Dallas co-stars Victoria Principal and Dack Rambo

Dack Rambo

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Larry Hagman on the departures of Dallas co-stars Victoria Principal and Dack Rambo

Donna Reed

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Larry Hagman on Barbara Bel Geddes being replaced by Donna Reed on Dallas

Lee Rich

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Larry Hagman on working with producer Lee Rich on Dallas

Hayden Rorke

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Larry Hagman on negotiating for a raise on I Dream of Jeannie

George Sanders

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Larry Hagman on appearing on The Rogues

George C. Scott

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Larry Hagman on working with George C. Scott on Broadway

Sidney Sheldon

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Larry Hagman on working with Sidney Sheldon on I Dream of Jeannie
Larry Hagman on Sidney Sheldon

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