Actor Larry Hagman became known the world over as the “face” of Texas playing the fictional character of J. R. Ewing on television’s 1980s blockbuster, Dallas.
Larry Hagman was born September 21, 1931 to Texas actress Mary Martin (who played the original Peter Pan) and district attorney Benjamin Hagman. Though family circumstances resulted in a somewhat nomadic upbringing, Nelson graduated from his hometown Weatherford High School in 1949. His father hoped he would study law, but Hagman shared his mother’s love of acting. He gained wide recognition as the co-star of the television series I Dream of Jeannie from 1965-1970, but is best remembered for his role as the ruthless oil baron and head of the Ewing dynasty at the South Fork Ranch.
