Cliff Barnes Cliff Barnes Clifford "Cliff" Barnes, played by Ken Kercheval, is a fictional character from the popular American television series "Dallas". The Barnes family are competitors and sometimes enemies of the Ewing family. Cliff is the son of Willard "Digger" Barnes and Rebecca Barnes, the brother of Pamela Barnes Ewing and the half-brother of Katherine Wentworth. J.R. Ewing (played by Larry Hagman) was Cliff's personal nemesis, with Cliff and J.R. continuing on the bitter feud that started with their fathers, Digger Barnes and Jock Ewing, from their oil wildcatting days in the 1930s. Cliff and J.R. were the only two characters
Larry Hagman they both concluded it was perfect for him. Hagman based his portrayal in part on memories of the eldest son who had won the Antelope Tool Company succession battle. "Dallas" became a worldwide success, airing in 90 countries - most notably the United Kingdom, where it saw its highest viewership outside the United States and was regularly enjoyed by members of the country's Royal Family - and inspiring several primetime soaps. Hagman became one of the best-known television stars of the era. Producers were keen to capitalize on that love/hate family relationship of J.R., building anticipation to a fever-pitch in