Table of Biography
Larry Hagman is a late American film and television actor, director, and producer. During his time, Larry Hagman was known for playing ruthless oil baron J. R. Ewing in the 1978–1991 primetime television soap opera “Dallas,” and the befuddled astronaut Major Anthony Nelson in the 1965–1970 sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie.”
Early Life
Larry Hagman was born in Fort Worth, Texas, the United States, on September 21, 1931. His full name is Larry Martin Hagman and he holds American nationality.
At the age of 81 years old, he passed away and had a birth sign of Virgo. In addition, he belongs to a mixed ethnicity of English-Swedish-German descent.
Childhood days
The name of his parents is Benjamin Jackson Hagman and Mary Martin. His mother was a Broadway actress and musical comedy star while his father was a district attorney. When he was just five years old, his parents divorced in 1936 and he started living with his grandmother, Juanita Presley Martin, in Texas and California.
After the divorce, his mother worked as a contract player with ‘Paramount.’ In addition, his mother married again in 1940 with Richard Halliday. Larry started living with his mother and his stepfather. Larry’s mother relocated to New York after the birth of his stepsister in 1941 to pursue her acting career. Moreover, Larry had to return to California with his grandmother.
Education
His mother gave several auditions, earning her the nickname ‘Audition Mary.’ While his mother was pursuing her acting career, Larry enrolled in the Black-Foxe Military Institute. He moved home with his mother in New York after his grandmother died.
Later, he eventually returned to his birthplace in 1946. In addition, he attended Weatherford High School in Weatherford. After his high school graduation, he decided to pursue acting as a career.
Death
He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2011. Additionally, he got proper treatment and continued to work, but cancer resurfaced in 2012.
Moreover, the actor died on November 23, 2012, from leukemia complications. He spent his final moments quietly, surrounded by his loved ones. His ashes were strewn in Southfork Ranch, Texas.
Professional Career
During his school and college years, Larry Hagman appeared in stage plays. He worked as a production assistant and took minor roles with Margo Jones’ theatre company while attending ‘Bard College’ in New York. He had to pause in 1952 to serve in the ‘US Air Force.’
Moreover, he returned to New York after his military to concentrate on his profession. He began by appearing in theatrical plays and did a lot of theatre work. ‘Once Around the Block,’ a ‘Off-Broadway’ production, featured him.
In 1958, he made his Broadway debut with ‘Comes a Day.’ His interest in Broadway was demonstrated by roles in plays such as ‘God and Kate Murphy,’ ‘The Nervous Set,’ and ‘The Beauty Part.’
He had a deep interest in television in addition to working on Broadway plays. Moreover, he made his debut television appearance in the criminal drama “Decoy in 1957, playing Kenneth Davidson.
After this, he appeared in shows such as “Harbormaster” (1958), “Sea Hunt” (1958), “Diagnosis: Unknown” (1960), and “The Defenders” (1961). He of his breakthrough role in the 1965 sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie’ where he was seen playing the role of Major Anthony Nelson.
His role as Major Anthony Nelson in the series boosted his acting career. The actor was also a part of the movie “I Dream of Jeannie: 15 Years Later” (1985), and “I Still Dream of Jeannie” (1991).
Latter Career
Additionally, he continued appearing in TV series”‘The Good Life” (1971), “Here We Go Again” (1973), “Ellery Queen” (1975), and “The Rockford Files” (1977). Another major role came in 1978 when he was offered to play the role of the evil businessman ‘J. R Ewing’ in the hugely successful TV show “Dallas.”
Caption: Larry Hagman during a TV series shooting (Source: New York Daily News)
The show became one of the most successful drama series on US TV. He was the one of key actors in the show and was the only actor in the show who appeared in all the episodes of ‘Dallas’ because of his popularity.
In addition, he reprised the role of J.R. Ewing in the 2012 reboot of “Dallas.” He continues to appear on the TV programs “The Simpsons” (1989), “Orleans” (1997), “Nip/Tuck” (2006), and “Desperate Housewives” (2010) frequently.
Moreover, he appeared in movies such as “The Group” (1966), “Sidekicks” (1974), “Mother, Jugs & Speed” (1976), “Superman” (1978), “S.O.B.” (1981), “Nixon” (1995), and “Primary Colors” (1998). His final film role was in “I Get That a Lot,” which was released after he died in 2013.
Apart from his acting works, he had also directed a horror movie, “Beware! The Blob,” (1972). He also recorded a single, ‘Ballad of the Good Luck Charm,’ (1980).
Awards
The late actor was nominated twice for Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for ‘Dallas’ (1980 and 1981). Similarly, he was nominated for the Golden Globe Awards four times (1981-1985). In addition, he was nominated for Soap Opera Digest Awards seven times and won five of them.
Net Worth 2023
When he died in 2012, his net worth was estimated at around $15 million. Moreover, he had earned such a huge sum of money through his acting roles in movies and TV series.
Relationship Status
Caption: Larry Hagman with his wife, Maj Axelsson (Source: MySA)
In terms of his personal life, Larry Hagman was a married man. The actor married Swedish designer, Maj Axelsson. With the marital relationship, the couple has two kids, Heidi Kristina and Preston. The couple were together until Larry died in 2012. Previously, he was in a relationship with to Joan Collins from 1949 to 1950.
Body Measurements
Caption: Larry Hagman posing for a photo (Source: AlloCiné)
The late actor stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs around 75 kg. Moreover, he has a pair of blue eyes with grey hair colour.
Social Media
Moreover, the actor is no longer alive in this world and he is not present on any kind of social media platforms.