Larry Hagman, "Dallas" Star, Dies At 81

Hagman led Dallas, a hugely popular television drama, for thirteen years as the delightfully evil J.R. Ewing.

Larry Hagman, who got his start as an astronaut who finds a genie named Jeannie in a bottle in the TV series I Dream Of Jeannie, died Friday in Dallas, Texas at age 81. From 1978 to 1991, he was famous for playing the villainous J.R. Ewing on the popular series Dallas, which set records with its expertly marketed two-part cliffhanger Who Shot J.R.?. His mother was Mary Martin, who was famous for her performances on Broadway, including Peter Pan. He was married for over 50 years to Maj Axelsson, who survives him along with his daughter, Kristina, his son, Preston, and five granddaughters.

1967. Via: wjactv.com

1981. Image by CBS, file / AP

2008. Image by Tony Gutierrez, File / AP