"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."

    About This Interview

    In his three-hour 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 on "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 I Dream of Jeannie, on which 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 on 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 third season ratings blockbuster when audiences wondered "Who shot J.R.?" and the surprise return of Patrick Duffy in season 9 of the show. 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 on December 7, 2004 in Santa Monica, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Larry Hagman

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

    07:10
    Thumbnail of Larry Hagman

    Larry Hagman on the start of his acting career

    04:05
    Thumbnail of Larry Hagman

    Larry Hagman on standing up for his vision of Dallas

    03:45
    Thumbnail of Larry Hagman

    Larry Hagman on the premise of I Dream of Jeannie

    01:06
    Thumbnail of Larry Hagman

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

    02:51
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his early years and his mother, actress Mary Martin

    06:55

    On choosing acting as a profession and his early roles

    07:46

    On his early television roles

    12:58

    Chapter 2

    On appearing on The Defenders; and making the films Fail-Safe and In Harm's Way

    02:10

    On appearing on The Rogues; and the importance of memorizing lines

    08:02

    On getting the role of Maj. Anthony Nelson on I Dream of Jeannie and working with the cast and crew

    12:11

    On the production aspects of I Dream of Jeannie

    06:02

    Chapter 3

    On working on I Dream of Jeannie; including standards and practices on the show, special effects, and directing a number of episodes

    08:33

    On guest stars on I Dream of Jeannie, including Sammy Davis Jr., Milton Berle, and Don Rickles

    51:05

    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

    06:31

    On being cast as J.R. Ewing on Dallas 

    03:50

    On working with the cast and crew of Dallas

    49:07

    Chapter 5

    On shooting the first 5 episodes of Dallas and the appeal of the Southfork Ranch locale

    05:55

    On the camaraderie on the set of Dallas

    04:59

    On the infamous "Who shot J.R.?" storyline of Dallas

    07:10

    On Howard Keel joining the cast of Dallas  

    02:24

    On Patrick Duffy's leaving and returning to Dallas ("dream season")

    04:42

    Chapter 6

    On filming Dallas on-location; on the departure of castmembers Barbara Bel Geddes, Victoria Principal, and Dack Rambo

    04:50

    On becoming executive producer of Dallas, the Knots Landing spinoff, and the end of the Dallas series

    05:41

    On the characters and legacy of Dallas

    03:44

    On continuing to direct after the end of Dallas; battling major health issues

    02:22

    On starring in the short-lived series Orleans

    01:26

    On appearing in the feature film Primary Colors

    02:21

    On summing up his career, his friendship with Carroll O'Connor, and how he would like to be remembered

    06:03

    EXTRA: Larry Hagman displays a specially-printed bill he gives to fans

    00:37

    Dallas

    Larry Hagman on a joke played on him by Patrick Duffy during Dallas

    00:34

    Larry Hagman on being cast as J.R. Ewing on Dallas

    01:55

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

    01:41

    Larry Hagman on working with the producers of Dallas and his involvement in the return of Patrick Duffy to the show

    05:45

    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

    11:26

    Larry Hagman on shooting the first 5 episodes of Dallas and the appeal of the Southfork Ranch locale

    05:55

    Larry Hagman on the Dallas storyline where his character, "J.R. Ewing" is shot (Who shot J.R.?)

    07:10

    Larry Hagman on Bobby Ewing's (Patrick Duffy) departure and return to Dallas

    07:06

    Larry Hagman on the final episode of Dallas, "It's a Wonderful Life"

    02:30

    Larry Hagman on filming Dallas on-location in extreme heat

    01:42

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

    00:55

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

    02:05

    Larry Hagman on becoming an executive producer of Dallas

    01:25

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

    03:10

    Larry Hagman on the legacy of Dallas

    03:44

    Dallas: J. R. Returns

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

    03:10

    Defenders, The

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

    00:57

    Edge of Night, The

    Larry Hagman on his role on The Edge of Night

    00:50

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

    04:03

    Good Life, The (1971-72)

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

    00:51

    I Dream of Jeannie

    Larry Hagman on being cast in the role off Maj. Anthony Nelson on I Dream of Jeannie

    01:58

    Larry Hagman on the premise of I Dream of Jeannie

    01:06

    Larry Hagman on working with the cast of I Dream of Jeannie: Barbara Eden, Bill Daily, and Hayden Rorke

    07:23

    Larry Hagman on the production details of I Dream of Jeannie

    06:02

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

    03:44

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

    01:37

    Knots Landing

    Larry Hagman on Dallas "spinoff" Knots Landing

    01:06

    Orleans

    Larry Hagman on starring in the short-lived series Orleans

    01:26

    Rogues, The

    Larry Hagman on appearing on The Rogues

    07:28

    Tex and Jinx Show, The

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

    00:47

    West Point

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

    01:36

    Bloopers

    Larry Hagman on a mistake made by a fellow actor on a live broadcast of The Edge of Night

    02:45

    Larry Hagman on a joke played on him by Patrick Duffy during Dallas

    00:34

    Censorship / Standards & Practices

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

    01:37

    Characters & Catchphrases

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

    01:41

    Drama

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

    07:10

    Korean War

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

    00:00

    Actor

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

    02:51

    Comedy Series

    Larry Hagman on the premise of I Dream of Jeannie

    01:06

    Daytime/Primetime Serials

    Larry Hagman on his role on The Edge of Night

    00:50

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

    07:10

    Philip Capice

    Larry Hagman on working with producer Phil Capice on Dallas

    03:04

    Jackie Cooper

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

    02:51

    Hal Cooper

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

    00:18

    Bill Daily

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

    03:10

    Jim Davis

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

    01:54

    Patrick Duffy

    Larry Hagman on a joke played on him by Patrick Duffy during Dallas

    00:34

    Larry Hagman on co-star Patrick Duffy's leaving and returning to Dallas

    03:04

    Larry Hagman on Bobby Ewing's (Patrick Duffy) departure and return to Dallas

    07:06

    Barbara Eden

    Larry Hagman on working with Barbara Eden on I Dream of Jeannie

    01:22

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

    01:37

    Henry Fonda

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

    00:57

    Chuck Fries

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

    02:51

    Barbara Bel Geddes

    Larry Hagman on working with Barbara Bel Geddes on Dallas

    01:22

    Larry Hagman on co-star Barbara Bel Geddes' dispute with Dallas producers

    01:43

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

    00:55

    Linda Gray

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

    01:24

    Claudio Guzman

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

    02:02

    David Jacobs

    Larry Hagman briefly on Dallas creator David Jacobs

    00:54

    Leonard Katzman

    Larry Hagman on working with producer Leonard Katzman on Dallas

    00:54

    Howard Keel

    Larry Hagman on Howard Keel joining the cast of Dallas

    02:24

    Ken Kercheval

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

    01:13

    Karl Malden

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

    01:00

    Mary Martin

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

    11:00

    Burgess Meredith

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

    01:37

    Carroll O'Connor

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

    01:37

    Larry Hagman on his friendship with Carroll O'Connor

    01:15

    Otto Preminger

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

    01:13

    Victoria Principal

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

    02:05

    Dack Rambo

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

    02:05

    Donna Reed

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

    00:55

    Lee Rich

    Larry Hagman on working with producer Lee Rich on Dallas

    00:53

    Hayden Rorke

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

    02:51

    George Sanders

    Larry Hagman on appearing on The Rogues

    07:28

    George C. Scott

    Larry Hagman on working with George C. Scott on Broadway

    02:17

    Sidney Sheldon

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

    00:55

    Larry Hagman on Sidney Sheldon

    01:57

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