Southfork Ranch 2009, "America's Tea Party", which an organizer said drew an estimated crowd of 25,000 to 35,000 attendees. In December 2012, a memorial service was held at the Southfork Ranch after the death of actor Larry Hagman, who starred as J.R. Ewing in the series. A memorial book for fans to sign was set up in the "J.R. Ewing room". Southfork Ranch Southfork Ranch is a conference and event center in Parker, Texas, in the United States, about north of Dallas. The ranch includes the Ewing Mansion, which was the setting for both "Dallas" television series: the original, which first aired
Larry Hagman School. One summer, he worked for oilfield-equipment maker Antelope Tool Company. Although his father wanted Hagman to become a lawyer and join his practice, he was drawn to drama classes and reportedly fell in love with the stage. He graduated from high school in 1949 and decided to pursue acting. Hagman began his career in 1950 acting in productions at Margaret Webster's school at The Woodstock Playhouse in Woodstock, New York. That summer, during a break from his one year at Bard College, he worked in Dallas as a production assistant and acting in small roles in Margo Jones's theater