Larry Martin Hagman (September 21, 1931 – November 23, 2012) was an American actor best known for playing ruthless oil baron J. R. Ewing in the primetime soap opera Dallas (1978–1991) and astronaut Major Anthony Nelson in the sitcom I Dream of Jeannie (1965–1970).
He had supporting roles in films like Fail-Safe, Harry and Tonto, S.O.B., Nixon, and Primary Colors. Hagman guest-starred on many TV shows and reprised J. R. Ewing in the 2012 Dallas revival. Son of actress Mary Martin, he survived a liver transplant in 1995 but died from acute myeloid leukemia in 2012.
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Larry Hagman Net Worth
Larry Hagman had a net worth of $30 million at the time of his death in 2012. He was best known for playing J. R. Ewing, the diabolical oil baron, in the 1980s TV series Dallas. Earlier, he gained fame as Major Anthony Nelson in the sitcom I Dream of Jeannie.
Hagman also appeared in several films, including Fail Safe, Harry and Tonto, and Primary Colors. His television and film career made him one of the most recognizable actors of his era.
Early life
Larry Hagman was born on September 21, 1931, in Fort Worth, Texas. His mother, Mary Martin, was a Broadway actress, and his father, Benjamin Jackson Hagman, was an accountant, lawyer, and district attorney of Swedish descent. After his parents divorced in 1936, he lived with his grandmother, Juanita Presley Martin.
Hagman attended Black-Foxe Military Institute and Woodstock Country School. Later, he moved to New York City with his mother, then back to Weatherford, graduating from Weatherford High School in 1949. He briefly attended Bard College for dance and drama but dropped out after one year to pursue acting.
Career
Larry Hagman began his career in 1950 at Margaret Webster’s school at the Woodstock Playhouse in New York. He worked in Dallas with Margo Jones’s theater company and appeared in The Taming of the Shrew in New York. In 1951, he performed in South Pacific in London with his mother, Mary Martin.
Drafted in 1952, he served in the U.S. Air Force, entertaining troops in Europe. After 1956, he returned to New York, acting off-Broadway in Once Around the Block and Career, and debuted on Broadway in Comes a Day (1958), followed by several other plays.
Personal life
In 1954, Larry Hagman married Swedish-born Maj Axelsson; they had two children, Heidi Kristina (1958) and Preston (1962). Hagman reconciled with his mother, Mary Martin, after his stepfather Richard Halliday died in 1973. A former heavy drinker and smoker, Hagman underwent a liver transplant in 1995 due to cancer and cirrhosis.
He publicly supported marijuana over alcohol and was active in the American Cancer Society and National Kidney Foundation. Maj was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2008, and Hagman cared for her until her condition worsened.
Were Patrick Duffy and Larry Hagman friends in real life?
Patrick Duffy and Larry Hagman were close friends in real life. Duffy said they became “best friends” from the moment they met until Hagman’s death in 2012 at age 81.
While working together on Dallas, they started each morning on set with champagne, even at early call times like 6 or 7 a.m. Their friendship extended beyond the show, and Duffy often spoke warmly about their bond and shared moments during their time on the Dallas set.
Conclusion
Larry Hagman’s journey in the entertainment industry was marked by notable roles that not only brought him fame but also substantial financial success. His portrayal of J.R. Ewing remains a highlight of his career, showcasing his talent and contributing significantly to his $30 million net worth.
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FAQs about Larry Hagman Net Worth
- What was Larry Hagman’s net worth?
His net worth was estimated at $30 million at the time of his death. - What made Larry Hagman famous?
His roles in “I Dream of Jeannie” and as J.R. Ewing in “Dallas.” - How did Larry Hagman earn his income?
Through his acting career in television and film, and real estate investments. - Where did Larry Hagman live?
He lived in California, owning properties in Ojai and Santa Monica. - Was Larry Hagman married?
Yes, he was married to Maj Axelsson from 1954 until her passing.
