Larry Hagman, the man who the world of Dallas revolves around, has died aged 81.
A statement released to the Dallas Morning News by the his family said: "Larry's family and close friends had joined him in Dallas for the Thanksgiving holiday. When he passed, he was surrounded by loved ones. It was a peaceful passing, just as he had wished for. The family requests privacy at this time."
In a statement, Warner Bros. and the new show's executive producers Cynthia Cidre and Michael Robin, added: "Larry Hagman was a giant, a larger-than-life personality whose iconic performance as J.R. Ewing will endure as one of the most indelible in entertainment history. He truly loved portraying this globally recognized character, and he leaves a legacy of entertainment, generosity and grace... he was a wonderful human being and an extremely gifted actor"
Of reprising the role of JR in the new Dallas reboot, Hagman said last year during an interview with USA Today: "Of course it's fun to play the villain... I don't understand why people love J.R. so much, but it's not just America, it's all over the place. France, England. Ireland. In Germany they have this amazing core of people who follow my career."
Hagman was diagnosed with cancer last year. At 81, he had good innings, after undergoing a liver transplant in 1995.
He may have also starred in I Dream of Jeannie, but here's what he will be remembered for - the sneering, loathsome yet charming JR. The king of the searing putdown.
RIP Mr. Hagman. Being an 80s child, there will always be a soft spot for him; children ran wild across Ireland of a Saturday evening, as all the parents were glued to the box.
