Larry Hagman Larry Hagman Larry Martin Hagman (September 21, 1931 – November 23, 2012) was an American film and television actor, director and producer best known for playing ruthless oil baron J.R. Ewing in the 1980s primetime television soap opera "Dallas" and befuddled astronaut Major Anthony "Tony" Nelson in the 1960s sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie". Hagman had supporting roles in numerous films, including "Fail-Safe", "Harry and Tonto", "S.O.B.", "Nixon" and "Primary Colors". His television appearances also included guest roles on dozens of shows spanning from the late 1950s until his death and a reprise of his signature role on the 2012
Larry Hagman fire his agent as a result. In January 2011, Hagman made a guest appearance in the seventh season of "Desperate Housewives" as a new husband for Lynette Scavo's mother, Stella (played by Polly Bergen). He also directed episodes of "I Dream of Jeannie" and "The Good Life", as well as several episodes of "Dallas" and "In the Heat of the Night", which was the only series he directed but in which he did not act. He appeared in such feature films as "The Group", "Fail Safe", "Harry and Tonto", "Mother, Jugs & Speed", "In Harm's Way", "The Eagle Has Landed",