Prime-time soap opera Dallas ran for 14 seasons, from 1978 to 1991. Featuring juicy storylines and an ensemble cast of seasoned TV veterans, Dallas set the standard for the many prime-time soaps that followed in its Texas-sized wake. The show’s fans were especially captivated by the wheeling and dealing of J.R. Ewing, played with villainous charm by Larry Hagman. Join us as we take a look back at some of the memorable actors and actresses who passed through the gates of Southfork Ranch.
The Ewing Family
The Ewings were the wealthy oil family at the center of “Dallas.” Pictured back row from left: Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy), Pamela Barnes Ewing (Victoria Principal), Miss Ellie Ewing (Barbara Bel Geddes, 1922–2005), and J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman, 1931–2012); and, front row from left, Lucy Ewing (Charlene Tilton), Jock Ewing (Jim Davis, 1909–1981) and Sue Ellen Ewing (Linda Gray).
Larry Hagman (1931–2012) as J.R. Ewing
As the devious eldest Ewing son, Hagman was the show’s biggest star and the only actor to appear in all 356 episodes of the original series. The Stetson-wearing oil tycoon he played was worlds away from Hagman’s sitcom character Maj. Tony Nelson on “I Dream of Jeannie” — but Hagman himself had roots in Texas, having spent his early years in his hometown of Fort Worth.
J.R. and Sue Ellen Ewing
Twice married and twice divorced, J.R. and Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) had a tempestuous relationship. Over the years as they both plotted ways to hurt each other, Sue Ellen had an affair with J.R.’s enemy Cliff Barnes (twice) and teamed up with his brother Bobby Ewing to take control of the company.
Ken Kercheval (1935–2019) as Cliff Barnes, J.R.’s arch rival
Kercheval was mostly a stage actor when he landed the part of oil tycoon Cliff Barnes, J.R. Ewing’s nemesis. Rivals on screen, Hagman and Kercheval were friends in real life.
The Ewing brothers sock it to Cliff Barnes
It’s no surprise that J.R., right, didn’t get along with business rival Cliff Barnes, center. After all, Cliff did have an affair with J.R.’s wife, Sue Ellen. Come to think of it, J.R. and his brother Bobby (played by Patrick Duffy, left) didn’t get along so well either.
Barbara Bel Geddes (1922–2005) as matriarch Miss Ellie Ewing
An award-winning veteran of stage and screen, Bel Geddes was the first actor cast in “Dallas.” According to co-star Hagman, “She was the rock of ‘Dallas’ … the glue that held the whole thing together.” A storyline in which her character underwent a mastectomy mirrored her own struggle with breast cancer, and she won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance.
View Barbara Bel Geddes’ obituary
Donna Reed (1921–1986), the other Miss Ellie
Reed returned to series television in 1984, replacing Barbara Bel Geddes who had suffered a massive heart attack in 1983. In a turn of events seemingly out of the “Dallas” playbook, Bel Geddes reclaimed her role, and Reed was fired after only one season.
Jim Davis (1909–1981) as patriarch Jock Ewing
After a career of small parts and guest-starring roles on television and in the movies, Davis was cast as patriarch Jock Ewing, a wildcatter who made a fortune in oil. When Davis died in 1981, the show’s producers killed off his character in a helicopter crash rather than recast the role.
Howard Keel (1919–2004) as Clayton Farrow, love interest to Miss Ellie
Keel starred in musicals such as “Show Boat” and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” during the 1950s. His career got a second life when he was cast as Clayton Farlow, another oil tycoon who eventually became a series mainstay when he married Miss Ellie.
Alexis Smith (1921–1993) as Farrow’s sister Lady Jessica Montford
Before her turn as Clayton Farlow’s sister on “Dallas,” Smith won a Tony in 1972 for her performance in “Follies.” In the 1940s and ’50s she was a frequent co-star of swashbuckler Errol Flynn.
Steve Forrest (1925–2013) as Wes Parmalee pretending to be Jock Ewing
Perhaps best remembered as the star of the short-lived police show “S.W.A.T.,” Steve Forrest (1925–2013) played Southfork foreman Wes Parmalee during the 1986-87 season. His character claimed to be Miss Ellie’s long-lost husband, Jock Ewing, who’d been presumed dead since a helicopter crash years earlier.
David Wayne (1914–1995) as Digger Barnes, rival of Jock Ewing
David Wayne (1914–1995) was a Tony Award winner and notable supporting actor in films before originating the role of Jock Ewing’s jilted business partner, Digger Barnes, seen here with daughter Pamela Barnes Ewing (played by Victoria Principal). Wayne left “Dallas” after the first two seasons to star in the TV series “House Calls.”
Keenan Wynn (1916–1986) as Digger Barnes
Character actor Wynn took over the role of Digger Barnes after Wayne’s departure, appearing in 10 episodes during the third season. His character may have died, but the feud between the Barnes and Ewing clans never did.
Dack Rambo (1941–1994) as cousin Jack Ewing
Daytime soap veteran Rambo joined “Dallas” in 1985 as cousin Jack Ewing. He helped save Ewing Oil from being split up and then got tangled up in family intrigue for three seasons.
Martha Scott (1912–2003) as Patricia Shepard, J.R.’s mother-in-law
Scott, center, made 10 appearances over the years on “Dallas” as Patricia Shepard, mother of Sue Ellen Ewing and her scheming sister, Kristin Shepard (played by Mary Frances Crosby, left). Earlier in her career, Scott originated the role of the tragic Emily Webb in the classic play “Our Town” and was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in the film adaptation.
Stephen Elliott (1918–2005) as Ewing lawyer Scotty Demarest
The extralegal exploits of the Ewing clan kept criminal defense attorney Scotty Demarest quite busy. Elliott is also fondly remembered for his supporting roles in “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Arthur.”
Who shot J.R.?
J.R. was beloved by audiences, but his nearest and dearest? Not so much. When J.R. was shot in 1980 — the season’s-end cliffhanger that became a pop culture phenomenon — the list of suspects was long and included his wife and mistress.
Kristin shot J.R.
Sue Ellen had problems with J.R. but she didn’t shoot him — not that time, anyway. So, who shot J.R.? It was Sue Ellen’s sister, Kristin Shepard (played by Mary Frances Crosby), who also happened to be J.R.’s mistress.
The return of Dallas
In 2012 Hagman and many original cast members, including Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, and Brenda Strong, returned to television in an updated “Dallas” that aired on TNT from 2012 to 2014.
So long, J.R.
When Larry Hagman died in November 2012, so too did J.R. Ewing. Much as they had done three decades earlier with Jock Ewing when actor Jim Davis died, producers wrote J.R.’s death into the series. There is only one J.R., and there was only one Larry Hagman.
