Hagman starring in 'I dream of Jeannie' with Barbara Eden in 1966
“As J.R. I could get away with anything — bribery, blackmail and adultery,” vet TV star Larry Hagman told TV Guide today. “But I got caught by cancer.”
Hagman says he’ll report for work on the new Dallas series while being treated for “a very common and treatable form of cancer.”
In 1995, Hagman got a liver transplant that saved his life, severely modified his unhealthy lifestyle and motivated him to speak for the ACS and the NKF.
From 1978 to 1991, Hagman starred in the original Dallas TV show playing consummate villain J.R. Ewing.
“I could not think of a better place to be than working on a show I love, with people I love,” Hagman said about reprising his role, then addressed his fitness to bring back the famous character that fans loved to hate. “Besides, as we all know, you can’t keep J.R. down!”