Who Is Larry Hagman? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Larry Hagman, born on September 21, 1931, was a legendary American actor best known for his iconic roles in television series such as I Dream of Jeannie and Dallas. He played the suave yet cunning J.R. Ewing, a role that became one of the most recognizable characters in TV history. His career spanned several decades, during which he showcased his incredible versatility and charm. Larry Hagman passed away in November 2012, leaving behind a rich legacy in the entertainment industry.
Occupation | Soap Opera Actor |
---|---|
Date of Birth | September 21, 1931 |
Age | 81 Years |
Birth Place | Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
Horoscope | Virgo |
Country | U.S |
Date of death | 23 November, 2012 |
Died Place | Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
Popularity
Larry Hagman's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Throughout his life, Larry Hagman stood at a height of 6 feet (183 cm) and maintained a weight of approximately 180 lbs (82 kg). His dynamic presence on screen was complemented by his striking blue eyes and distinct smile, which contributed to his on-screen charisma.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Larry Hagman was married to his wife, Maj, for over 50 years until his death. The couple had two children, Kristina and Heidi, who have kept his legacy alive by sharing memories and anecdotes of their father's life. Before his marriage, Hagman's dating life included various high-profile romances, but he ultimately found stability in his long-term relationship with Maj.
His mother, Mary Martin, became a Broadway actress and musical comedy star after his birth. His father, Benjamin Jackson Hagman, who was of Swedish descent, was an accountant and lawyer who worked as a district attorney. Hagman's parents divorced in 1936 when he was five years old.
He lived with his maternal grandmother, Juanita Presley Martin, in Texas and California, while his mother became a contract player with Paramount in 1938. In 1940, Hagman's mother met and married Richard Halliday before giving birth to a daughter, Heller, the following year.
Hagman attended a strict academy, Black-Foxe Military Institute, and briefly Woodstock Country School, a boarding school in Vermont.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Larry Hagman's net worth was estimated to be around $15 million. This wealth was accumulated through his successful acting career, including salary earnings from hit shows, endorsements, and various ventures. He was known for commanding substantial fees for his appearances, especially during the peak of his television fame.
At the beginning of the fourth season later that year, audience and actors were trying to guess "Who shot J.R.?", now one of fictional TV's most famous questions. During the media buildup, Hagman was involved in contract negotiations, delaying his return in the fourth season. Hagman held out for a higher salary.
Producers were faced with a dilemma of whether to pay the greatly increased salary or to write J.R. out of the program. Lorimar Productions, the makers of the series, began shooting different scenes of Dallas that did not include Hagman. In the midst of negotiations, Hagman took his family to London for their July vacation.
He continued to fight for his demands and network executives conceded that they wanted J.R. to remain on Dallas. Hagman did not appear in the first episode of the new season until the final few minutes. From then on, Hagman became one of the highest-paid stars in television.
At the beginning of the 1980–81 season, writers were told to keep the storylines away from the actors until they really found out who actually shot J.R. and three weeks passed until the culprit was revealed on November 21, 1980, in a ratings record-breaking episode.
Career, Business and Investments
Larry Hagman's career took off in the 1960s with his role in I Dream of Jeannie, but it was his portrayal of J.R. Ewing in Dallas that truly cemented his status as a television icon. Over the years, he starred in numerous films and series, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. In addition to acting, Hagman ventured into producing and directing.
Hagman was also involved in various business and investment opportunities, including real estate. He was passionate about environmental causes and made significant investments in green technologies, emphasizing sustainability and conservation.
Stationed in London, he spent the majority of his military service entertaining U.S. troops in the United Kingdom and at bases in Europe. After leaving the Air Force in 1956, Hagman returned to New York City, where he appeared in the off-Broadway play Once Around the Block, by William Saroyan.
That was followed by nearly a year in another off-Broadway play, James Lee's Career. His Broadway debut occurred in 1958 in Comes a Day. Hagman appeared in four other Broadway plays, God and Kate Murphy, The Nervous Set, The Warm Peninsula and The Beauty Part. During this period, he also appeared in numerous, mostly live, television programs.
Social Network
Larry Hagman was a prominent figure in the entertainment community and maintained a level of engagement with fans through various platforms. His official social media accounts, managed posthumously by his family, share updates about tributes, classic performances, and memories from his career. While he was not as active in his later years, he left a lasting impact on social networks due to his enduring legacy.
Hagman reprised his role as J.R. Ewing in TNT's continuation of Dallas, which began in 2012. In 2011, while filming the new series, Hagman said, "Of course it's fun to play the villain." As a result of Hagman's death in 2012, his character J.R. was killed off in season two of Dallas. Unused footage of Hagman was used in season three as part of that season's story arc, which aired in 2014.
Education
Hagman's education began at the Black-Foxe Military Institute, followed by a stint at the University of Texas at Austin. His background in theater helped hone his acting skills, paving the way for his illustrious career in Hollywood.
In conclusion, Larry Hagman's life continues to resonate with many, both as an entertainment icon and as a beloved family man. His contributions to television and film, combined with his charm and charisma, ensure that he is remembered fondly by generations of fans.
In 1965, Hagman was cast as "genie" Barbara Eden's master and eventual love interest, Air Force Captain (later Major) Anthony Nelson, in the NBC situation comedy I Dream of Jeannie, which ran for five seasons from 1965 to 1970.
The show entered the top 30 in its first year and was NBC's answer to the successful 1960s magical comedies, Bewitched on ABC and My Favorite Martian on CBS. Two reunion movies were later made, both televised on NBC: I Dream of Jeannie... Fifteen Years Later (1985) and I Still Dream of Jeannie (1991), but Hagman did not appear in either of them.
At Dragon Con, in 2010, Hagman said he was never approached about it.