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 apartments near each other in New York. Over the years, they had a lot in common; just as O'Connor concluded contract negotiations for his salary on "All in the Family" in 1974, missing two episodes, Hagman eventually found himself renegotiating his salary on "Dallas", with similar results. Hagman's daughter, Heidi, whom O'Connor had known since her childhood, joined the cast for one season of "Archie Bunker's Place". Hagman directed several episodes of O'Connor's later series, "In the Heat of the Night". They both endured serious health issues, with O'Connor's heart bypass surgery, and Hagman's liver transplant. Hagman remained close after