J. R. Ewing

J. R. Ewing

John Ross "J.R." Ewing, Jr. is a central, nefarious figure on the hit CBS television series Dallas (1978–1991) and its continuation series that premiered on TNT in 2012. J.R. is a covetous, egocentric, manipulative and amoral oil baron with psychopathic tendencies, who is constantly plotting subterfuges to plunder his foes and their wealth. Larry Hagman played J.R. Ewing until his death in 2012.

The original character concept was a blend of Bonanza with a rich, western patriarch and his three dissimilar sons, "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" with its rival brothers, and their scheming wives, and Romeo and Juliet with two star-crossed lovers whose families are sworn enemies. The thrust of the series was initially the feuding families, with J. R. just a supporting character. However, his popularity grew and the producers acknowledged he became the breakout character. Two highly rated 1980 episodes became part of a cultural phenomenon that year known as "Who shot J. R.?". In "A House Divided", the audience witnessed J. R. being shot by an unknown assailant. After the cliffhanger was broadcast in March, the audience had to wait until the October conclusion, "Who Done It". With his new-found popularity, Larry Hagman threatened to leave the series unless his contractual demands were met. CBS leaked rumors of recasting, but the actor eventually prevailed. Hagman was the only actor to appear in all 357 episodes of the series.

J.R. Ewing is considered one of television's most popular characters.

In 1999 TV Guide ranked him number 11 on its "50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time" list.

Wizard magazine ranked him the 69th Greatest Villain of all time while Best Villains on TV: Top Ten of Yahoo! Voices picked him as No. 1.

Hagman died on November 23, 2012, leaving the character's status unknown.