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Farewell, Larry Hagman
Nov. 24th, 2012 01:55 amGreat sadness. Larry Hagman, best known as both the conniving, villainous oilman J. R. Ewing and The Official Luckiest Man In The World, Major Anthony Nelson, has passed away at the age of 81.
Hagman was an excellent "utility" actor, equally capable with drama and comedy, and he had a long and distinguished career on stage, screen, and television. But, as Nelson, he somehow portrayed a man both in deep way over his head and yet quick-witted enough to survive each bounce his fortune took (and who, not coincidentally, had the live hand grenade of the ultimate wish fulfillment -- a gorgeous woman who loved him and who could literally fulfill his every desire... on TV in the prudish 1960s). And, as Ewing, he struck gold rather than oil, finding a truly iconic character -- a villain America loved to hate.
Farewell, Tony, J.R., and thanks so much.
Hagman was an excellent "utility" actor, equally capable with drama and comedy, and he had a long and distinguished career on stage, screen, and television. But, as Nelson, he somehow portrayed a man both in deep way over his head and yet quick-witted enough to survive each bounce his fortune took (and who, not coincidentally, had the live hand grenade of the ultimate wish fulfillment -- a gorgeous woman who loved him and who could literally fulfill his every desire... on TV in the prudish 1960s). And, as Ewing, he struck gold rather than oil, finding a truly iconic character -- a villain America loved to hate.
Farewell, Tony, J.R., and thanks so much.
