“I don’t remember much, other than he was a kid and had great stomach muscles. When you see abs like that, you don’t forget.”
-- Hagman, on Brad Pitt’s first major role on “Dallas”
Art StreiberActor Larry Hagman has been diagnosed with cancer.
The actor said in a statement that it’s a “treatable” form of the disease and that he will work on TNT’s Dallas reboot during treatment: “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. Besides, as we all know, you can’t keep J.R. down!”
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Hagman and original Dallas cast members Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray are all on board the new project, which focuses on the Ewing offspring — J.R. Ewing’s (Hagman) son, John Ross, and the adopted son of Bobby (Duffy) and Pam Ewing, Christopher — as they clash over the future of the family dynasty. Gray played J.R.’s wife, Sue Ellen, in the original series, which ran from 1978-91.
The 80-year-old actor is set to report to the new Dallas set on Oct. 17 and is confirmed to appear on at least four episodes, notes TV Guide.
TNT said in a statement: “Everyone at Warner Horizon Television, TNT and the entire Dallas family completely supports Larry Hagman during this time. We look forward to watching Larry once again work his magic by bringing one of television’s most interesting, complex and controversial characters back to the screen in the new Dallas series.”
The I Dream of Jeannie star has battled cancer before and had a liver transplant in the ’90s due to cirrhosis of the liver.
Hagman’s illness was first reported by TV Guide.
