J. R. Ewing

This article is about television series character. For the hardcore punk band, see JR Ewing (band).
J. R. Ewing
Dallas character
Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing (2012)
First appearanceApril 2, 1978
"Digger's Daughter"
Last appearanceMarch 4, 2013
"The Furious and the Fast"
Created byDavid Jacobs
Portrayed byLarry Hagman
Crossover appearancesKnots Landing
Dallas: The Early Years
Dallas: J.R. Returns
Dallas: War of the Ewings
Years
  • 1978–1991, 1996, 1998, 2012–2013
Birth1936 (Original series)
1939 (TNT series)
Death(2013-02-01)February 1, 2013
In-universe information
Occupation
  • Vice President of Ewing Oil (1962–1977)
  • President of Ewing Oil (1977–1982)
  • Shareholder & co-CEO of Ewing Oil (1980–1987, 1988–1990, 1991)
  • 25% Shareholder in Harwood Oil (1982–1983)
  • Founder and CEO of JRE Industries (1987–1988)
  • Founder and CEO of Ewing & Ewing (1991)
  • CEO of WestStar Oil (1996–1998, only in films)
  • Owner of Southfork Ranch (2012)
Family
Spouse
Children
Relatives

John Ross Ewing Jr. is a fictional character in the American television series Dallas (1978–1991) and its spin-offs, including the reboot series (2012–2014). The character was portrayed by Larry Hagman from the series premiere in 1978 until his death in late 2012; Hagman was the only actor who appeared in all 357 episodes of the original series.[1] 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,[2] who is constantly plotting subterfuges to plunder the wealth of his foes.[3] In the PBS series Pioneers of Television, Hagman claimed the character of J.R. began its development when he played a similar character in the film Stardust, and that he was also inspired by a mean boss he once had.[4]

The focus of the series was initially the feuding families, with J.R. just a supporting character, but his popularity grew and the producers acknowledged he became the breakout character. Two highly rated 1980 episodes became part of a cultural phenomenon that year known as "Who shot J.R.?".[5] In "A House Divided", the audience witnessed J.R. being shot by an unknown assailant.

After the cliffhanger was broadcast in March, the audience had to wait until the November conclusion, "Who Done It". With his new-found popularity, Hagman threatened to leave the series unless his contractual demands were met. CBS leaked rumors of recasting, but the actor eventually prevailed.[6] He also appeared in five episodes of spin-off series Knots Landing between 1980 and 1982. The character is featured in the first two seasons of the 2012 reincarnation series as well. Hagman died on November 23, 2012, and Dallas producers subsequently announced that J.R. would be killed off in the second season.[7] The episode "The Furious and the Fast" dealt with J.R.'s death.

J.R. Ewing is considered one of television's most popular characters,[8][9] with TV Guide naming him #1 in their 2013 list of The 60 Nastiest Villains of All Time.[10] In 2016, Rolling Stone ranked him #11 of their "40 Greatest TV Villains of All Time".[11] In a 2001 Channel 4 poll in the U.K. he was ranked 38th on their list of the 100 Greatest TV Characters.[12][13]

  1. ^ O'Carroll, Lisa (2011-10-15). "Larry Hagman diagnosed with cancer". The Guardian. London.
  2. ^ Patrick, Christopher J. (2007). Handbook of Psychopathy, Guilford Pubn., New York
  3. ^ Jacobs, David (1990-04-15). "TV VIEW; When the Rich And the Powerful Were Riding High". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
  4. ^ Steve Boettcher (director) (January 22, 2013). "Primetime Soaps". Pioneers of Television. Season 3. Episode 2. PBS.
  5. ^ Meisler, Andy (1995-05-07). "TELEVISION; When J.R. Was Shot The Cliffhanger Was Born". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
  6. ^ "Echoes of who shot JR". BBC. 2001-04-05. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
  7. ^ Funeral Episode Set for Larry Hagman's J.R. on 'Dallas' Season Two Hollywood.com, December 11, 2012
  8. ^ Cerone, Daniel (1993-10-17). "Larry Hagman Still Relishes Being TV's Oiliest Villain". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
  9. ^ Bromley, Tom (2010-08-24). "Top ten 80s TV villains". Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
  10. ^ Bretts, Bruce; Roush, Matt; (March 25, 2013). "Baddies to the Bone: The 60 nastiest villains of all time". TV Guide. pp. 14–15.
  11. ^ Collins, Sean T. (February 9, 2016). "40 Greatest TV Villains of All Time". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 22, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  12. ^ "100 Greatest TV Characters". Channel 4. Archived from the original on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  13. ^ "100 Greatest ... (100 Greatest TV Characters (Part 1))". ITN Source. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2019.