J. R. Ewing J. R. Ewing John Ross "J. R." Ewing Jr. is a fictional character in the American television series "Dallas" (1978–91) and its spin-offs, including the revived "Dallas" series (2012–14). The character was portrayed by Larry Hagman from the series premiere in 1978 until his death in late 2012, and Hagman was the only actor who appeared in all 357 episodes of the original series. As the show's most famous character, J.R. has been central to many of the series' biggest storylines. He is depicted as a covetous, egocentric, manipulative and amoral oil baron with psychopathic tendencies, who is constantly plotting
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",