'Dallas' star Larry Hagman dies in Texas after cancer fight

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Actor Larry Hagman started out as a nice guy in "I Dream of Jeannie" but it was evil that made him famous as J.R. Ewing, a business cheat, faithless husband and bottomless well of corruption in "Dallas." Hagman died yesterday at the age of 81.

His family says in a statement that Hagman died Friday in Dallas. The statement was provided to The Associated Press by Warner Bros., which produces the new edition of the show "Dallas."

Hagman had returned as J.R. in this year's new edition of "Dallas" on TNT.

Linda Gray, his on-screen wife and later ex-wife in the original series and the sequel, says Hagman "brought joy to everyone he knew. He was creative, generous, funny, loving and talented."

So sad to lose such a wonderful dear bigger than life friend. Larry Hagman was one of a kind and will be with us all forever.

— Linda Gray (@Linda_Gray) November 24, 2012

Victoria Principal, who co-starred in the original series, recalled Hagman as "bigger than life, on-screen and off." She calls Hagman "unforgettable, and irreplaceable."

Jeannie star Barbara Eden says Hagman was more than a a great actor and television icon. She calls him "an element of pure Americana."

#RIP Larry Hagman- he was a very special man - he helped me quit smoking & I'll always be grateful bit.ly/TigKxj on.ora.tv/WKdMXR

— Larry King(@kingsthings) November 24, 2012