I think that everybody in the world, whatever colour or creed, has a jerk like JR in his or her family somewhere. Whether it is a father, uncle, cousin or brother, everybody can identify with JR and that certainly had something to do with the success of 'Dallas.'
Larry HagmanMy television and movie career has also taken me all over the world. I've had great times in the Far East, Russia, South America and Sweden - where I met my wife of 55 years, Maj.
Larry HagmanNo no there wasn't any planned 14th season, we all saw the writing on the wall. The ratings had been going down and so fourth, that curve goes on every show and in everybody's life.
Larry HagmanBut there is no withdrawal, but with tobacco there is terrible withdrawal, it is almost impossible for a lot of people. I did , I went cold turkey, they never had any patches in those days but grass was not difficult, alcohol not difficult, but tobacco - oh my god.
Larry HagmanDon't you find that the more you know, the more you don't know and can't ever learn because there's too much stuff out there?
Larry HagmanWe did 356 'Dallas' episodes between 1978 and 1991. The most memorable moment for me happened in 1980 when I got shot at the end of the third series. The rest is a blur.
Larry HagmanWhen we started the show, 'Dallas' was known as the city where JFK was assassinated. By the end it was known as JR's home town.
Larry HagmanWell yes so far, I was recently in Germany and they had me do six book signings a day and that was too much so I had them cut it down to about three. It becomes taxing at times but its a lot of fun and you meet a lot of nice people.
Larry HagmanI was born with success. Lucky for me I am able to handle it. Also, I damn well deserve it!
Larry HagmanI never travel without my Stetson, but the more I wear it the more I realise that no one wears hats any more. When I was a kid everybody wore hats, especially in Texas, but I get off the plane in Dallas now and I'm the only guy with a hat. It's amazing.
Larry HagmanLater on when it became a routine it was not as exciting I'll admit that. The first three years were wonderful, the rest were just money making and having fun.
Larry HagmanOn being asked by Channel 4's Derek Thompson if he owned horses - No, son. I don't like anything that eats while I sleep.
Larry HagmanI have thousands and thousands of hats. Some are the most outrageous hats in the world. They are my disguise. I hide beneath them.
Larry HagmanIt's my firm intention to whop cancer into submission and I truly believe I've given myself the best start possible by radically overhauling my diet and by staying true to my motto, which is: Don't worry, be happy, feel good. The first thing I did when I was diagnosed was to turn vegan.
Larry HagmanI have this wonderful personal chef who sources and stocks all my organic produce and I basically live on five smoothies a day. I'm totally vegan. I blend this green concoction with kale, cucumber, broccoli, string beans, avocado. My protein comes from protein powder. There is absolutely no milk, butter, cheese.
Larry HagmanBefore I tried LSD, I'd been going to a psychologist for a couple of years. I found out about success that you have to fight for it a lot, then when you achieve it, you can't give up the fight.
Larry HagmanMy credo is etched on my mirror in my bathroom and I see it when I brush my teeth in the morning. It says, "Don't worry, Be Happy, Feel Good." When you see that first thing, and you reflect on it, the rest of the day seems to glide by pretty well.
Larry HagmanI've travelled a huge amount, but almost all of it has been through work. I spent five years stationed in London in the special services of the American Air Force, producing and directing shows for the troops, which I absolutely loved.
Larry HagmanI did successfully kick tobacco at the age of 34. I smoked for like 20 years, from 14 to 34.
Larry HagmanOil rich boys . . . had a nice, sweet smile but when you finished meeting with them your socks were missing and you hadn't even noticed they'd taken your boots.
Larry HagmanIt always annoys me when stars grumble about fans coming up to them in the street. I love it. These young stars today with all their airs and graces, they need to remember it is an honour and a privilege to make money from acting. How hard is it?
Larry HagmanYou know Hollywood is a weird and wonderful place, I didn't know I Dream of Jeanie had been cancelled after 5 years until I went back to go on the lot to pick up some clothes and things I had in my dressing room.
Larry HagmanWell, I decided to stop. And I did. I stopped smoking, and I stopped speed at the same time.
Larry HagmanI'm sure it is, I'm not for any kind of war, we've been engaged in several wars since the second world war and we lost in Korea, we lost in Vietnam, they are political wars, they have nothing to do with any real threat, nor does this one.
Larry HagmanA sad figure (Bush) ' not too well educated, who doesn't get out of America much. He's leading the country towards Fascism.
Larry HagmanAt that time I was making the largest salary known on television and I didn't want to see it die because those were the years paying off when I wasn't making anything.
Larry HagmanWell I think they broke the mould when they made me and being humble is one of my great assets.
Larry Hagman'Dallas' hit a chord back in the late Seventies and Eighties because it was the age of greed: here you have this unapologetic character who is mean and nasty and ruthless and does it all with an evil grin. I think people related to JR back then because we all have someone we know exactly like him. Everyone in the world knows a JR.
Larry HagmanMarijuana you can give up, I've given it up for fifteen years now and it never occurs to me to smoke it anymore.
Larry HagmanI went to a military school between the ages of six and 12 and later into the air force. You learn discipline and strength of character.
Larry HagmanAfter ten or twelve years you can only play something so long and then you start to parody it.
Larry HagmanAs 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.
Larry HagmanGood acting is all in the writing. If it isn't on the page, then it really won't make any difference. You cannot act on force of personality alone.
Larry HagmanI guess it was but I think peoples morality has changed. It's gotten more liberal and more diverse and even in a sense much more fundamental, you take the fundamental religious right in this country, its got to go back about 50 years.
Larry Hagman