Goodbye JR (Larry Hagman).....(threads merged)

[skatesindreams]

It's amazing that the son of such a legendary theatrical figure as Mary Martin became an iconic actor in his own right.
It was difficult; as he wanted to "make it" on his own.
He did...and how!

Here's his tribute to her, at the 1989 "Kennedy Center Honors":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAlS8ejR4QY

I will miss him.
What a legacy of wonderful performances he gave us.

An appreciation of one of his best dramatic roles:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertai...,1187473.story
RIP.

[AragornElessar]

From the CBC...

CBC News ~ Dallas TV star Larry Hagman dies

I don't know if any of the other articles out there has this story he tells of a visit to Romania, so just in case...

"A guy came up to me with tears in his eyes and said 'Thank you, J.R. for saving Romania.' I said 'What?' He said 'You saved this country. We were allowed to have three television shows a day and two were political speeches and the other was Dallas to show how corrupt the morals of the United States was," Hagman recalled. "Big mistake. People saw what was happening in America and they wanted that."

I didn't know he was a Korean Air Force Vet either. Another of our Vets from that time gone.

I have seen some mention of the controversy when he recieved his Liver Transplant due to the cause of why his liver failed. However, from all I've heard over the years, Mr. Hagman did everything a Transplant Patient needed to do to keep both his new friend and himself healthy. At least on that front.

What I didn't know and I read in the article at the Globe and Mail was how he paid the Transplant Centre back. If there was someone who got their call for a Liver Transplant and the realization of just what is about to happen hits them so hard, they're terrified, if he was available and there was time for him to get to the hospital, the Transplant Unit would bring Mr. Hagman in to talk to that person. He said that he'd just sit there and talk to them about how, yes, it's scary and it's not a little thing that's about to happen. However, everything is going to be OK in the end.

There's even a picture over there of him speaking at the Transplant Games and pulling up his shirt to show off his scar from the Surgery.

He really was quite the man. GodSpeed Sir, Thank You and Rest in Peace.

[Kruss]

People always associate Hagman with Dallas, but I liked him best in I Dream of Jeanie as Major Anthony Nelson. He was good at comedy.

Rest in peace, "Major Tony Nelson"!

I used the watch I Dream Of Jeannie reruns every day when I was a kid. Fond memories.

RIP, Mr. Hagman. Another great gone.

[snoopysnake]

A true television legend was Mr. Hagman. One has only to see an episode of Jeannie and one of Dallas to see what a skilled actor he was. It's a shame that he couldn't continue with the Dallas revival. I hope there is a good storyline that gives J.R. a departure worthy of his character.

[Latte]

So sad. Great guy, I'm gonna miss him.
RIP Larry

[skatesindreams]

It's a shame that he couldn't continue with the Dallas revival. I hope there is a good storyline that gives J.R. a departure worthy of his character.

As do I.

[manhn]

I was away this weekend and was not in front of a tv except to exercise. I now can post my condolences to him and his loved ones.

He was so adept in both comedy and drama (although one of the reasons JR is such an iconic character was at least in part due to Mr. Hagman's comedic timing when it came to JR having to put down one of the other characters).

He was also a lot of fun on Desperate Housewives.

He will be missed.

[ChelleC]

RIP

I think JR is one of the reasons I've always liked the gray characters and villlians on TV.

[kittyjake5]

My condolences to his family and friends. I was a Dallas uber, loved/hated JR and watched every episode
along with everyone else. Thank you Larry and farewell. You will not be forgotten.

[duane]

I think I watch too much television. I'm thinking more of the passing of JR than the passing of Larry Hagman!

[Garden Kitty]

His imdb bio includes guest shots on just about every tv series from the 70's and 80's. Truly amazing to have the career longevity that he had and the range of characters.

[Vash01]

JR was a complex character. He was mean, but he dearly loved his family. Even though he had a rivalry with Bobby, deep down he loved his brother. You would always want him on YOUR side. Hagman was a great actor because he could play such a layered character.

[skatesindreams]

...and he could make the audience appreciate and understand such a layered character, as well.
Such was the gift of Larry Hagman.