J. R. Ewing

J. R. Ewing
Larry Hagman as J. R. Ewing (2012)
Dallas character
Portrayed by	Larry Hagman
Duration	1978–91, 1996, 1998, 2012–13
First appearance	April 2, 1978 Digger's Daughter
Last appearance	March 4, 2013 The Furious and the Fast
Created by	David Jacobs
Spin-off appearances	Knots Landing (1980–82) Dallas: The Early Years (1986) Dallas: J.R. Returns (1996) Dallas: War of the Ewings (1998)
Profile
Occupation	Vice President of Ewing Oil (1962–77) President of Ewing Oil (1977–80, 1980) Shareholder & co-CEO of Ewing Oil (1980–87, 1988–90, 1991) 25% Shareholder in Harwood Oil (1982–83) Founder and CEO of JRE Industries (1987–88) Founder and CEO of Ewing & Ewing (1991) CEO of West Star Oil (1996–98, only in films) Owner of Southfork Ranch (2012)
Family Ewing Father Jock Ewing Mother Ellie Ewing Stepfather Clayton Farlow Brothers Gary Ewing Bobby Ewing Half-brothers Ray Krebbs Wife Sue Ellen Shepard (1970–81, 1982–88) Cally Harper (1988–91) Sons James Beaumont John Ross Ewing III Grandsons Jimmy Beaumont Grandfathers Aaron Southworth Grandmothers Barbara Southworth Uncles Jason Ewing Garrison Southworth Nephews Christopher Ewing (adoptive) Bobby Ewing II Lucas Krebbs Nieces Lucy Ewing Betsy Ewing Margaret Krebbs Molly Whittaker First cousins Jack Ewing Jamie Ewing

John Ross "J. R." Ewing, Jr. (1939–2013) is a fictional character in the U.S. 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 356 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 subterfuges to plunder his foes' wealth.

The original series concept was a blend of Bonanza with a rich, western patriarch and his three dissimilar sons, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with its rival brothers, and their scheming wives, and Romeo and Juliet with two star-crossed lovers whose families are sworn enemies. 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.?". 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 October conclusion, "Who Done It". With his new-found popularity, Larry Hagman threatened to leave the series unless his contractual demands were met. CBS leaked rumors of recasting, but the actor eventually prevailed. 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. The episode "The Furious and Fast" dealt with J. R.'s death.