Dallas Icon Larry Hagman dies aged 81

Larry Hagman, who spent more than a decade playing TV villain JR Ewing has died at the age of 81.

Larry, who had suffered from throat cancer and cirrhosis of the liver, died in hospital on Friday afternoon, surrounded by family and friends.

He is survived by wife Maj, who he married in 1952.

“Larry was back in his beloved Dallas, re-enacting the iconic role he loved most,” said the family.

“‘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.”

Long-time friend Linda Gray, who played Sue Ellen, and Patrick Duffy, who played his brother Bobby in the iconic show, were both by his bedside.

“Larry Hagman was my best friend for 35 years,” said Ms Gray in a statement released by her agent.

“He was the Pied Piper of life and brought joy to everyone he knew. He was creative, generous, funny, loving and talented and I will miss him enormously.

“He was an original and lived life to the full.”

Larry recently resumed his role as the as the most scheming oil tycoon in Dallas, when the franchise decided to reboot the series.

Starring old characters Sue Ellen, Bobby Ewing and Cliff Barnes, the show brought new fans to Dallas and with it, the return of the charmingly loathsome JR Ewing – one of the most distinctive faces on television screens across the world.

Hagman announced in October 2011 that he had a ‘treatable’ form of throat cancer and would receive treatment while filming the Dallas reboot.

At the time the star said: “As J.R. I could get away with anything – bribery, blackmail and adultery.

But I got caught by cancer. I do want everyone to know that it is a very common and treatable form of cancer.

“I will be receiving treatment while working on the new Dallas series. I could not think of a better place to be than working on a show I love, with people I love.”

The late actor added: “Besides, as we all know, you can’t keep J.R. down!”

Tributes from around the world flooded on to social networking site Twitter.

Hagman’s Dallas co-star Ken Kercheval, who played Cliff Barnes, tweeted: “A friend and long time partner… the other half…RIP Larry Hagman…. your spirit will live long.”

Actor William Shatner also paid tribute with the words: “My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Larry Hagman. My best, Bill.”

Veteran American broadcaster Larry King wrote: “I’m shocked. Larry Hagman was a dear man who had an incredible career. He helped me to stop smoking. He really was a very special person.”

Journalist and broadcaster Piers Morgan tweeted: “Very sad to hear that Larry Hagman has died. His JR Ewing character was the greatest TV villain of them all. Wonderful actor.”

Actress Elizabeth Hurley also wrote: “RIP Larry Hagman. Thank you for being such an entertaining actor and giving us such happy memories.”

Meanwhile, Barbara Eden, who starred with Hagman in 1960s’ sitcom I Dream of Jeannie, published a statement on her Facebook page which read: “I can honestly say that we’ve lost not just a great actor, not just a television icon, but an element of pure Americana.

“Goodbye Larry, there was no one like you before and there will never be anyone like you again.”