Larry Hagman Net Worth

What Was Larry Hagman’s Net Worth and Salary? A Look at the Life and Fortune of J.R. Ewing

Larry Hagman, the charismatic actor best known for his iconic portrayal of the ruthless oil baron J.R. Ewing in the television series “Dallas,” left behind a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry. But beyond his on-screen persona, what was Larry Hagman’s net worth, and how did his career shape his financial success? This article delves into the life, career, and financial achievements of Larry Hagman, exploring his early life, television and film roles, shrewd salary negotiations, and the real estate holdings that contributed to his wealth.

Early Life and Education

Larry Hagman was born on September 21, 1931, in Fort Worth, Texas. His parents were Mary Martin, a celebrated Broadway actress and star of musical comedy, and Benjamin Hagman, a district attorney. The young Hagman’s life took a turn when his parents divorced when he was five years old. He spent his early years with his maternal grandmother, Juanita, before his mother remarried to Richard Halliday. His educational journey included attendance at the Black-Foxe Military Institute in California, followed by a brief stint at the Woodstock Country School in Vermont.

After his grandmother’s passing, Hagman moved to New York City to live with his mother. In 1946, he returned to Texas and attended Weatherford High School. Following graduation, he enrolled at Bard College in New York, where he pursued drama and dance, though he dropped out after a year.

Career Beginnings

Hagman launched his professional acting career in 1950, taking to the stage at the Woodstock Playhouse in New York. He honed his skills performing in several tent show musicals with St. John Terrell’s Music Circus in Florida and New Jersey. In 1951, he shared the stage with his mother in a London production of “South Pacific.” The following year, he was drafted into the US Air Force, where he was stationed in London and spent his time entertaining American troops. After his military service ended in 1956, he returned to New York, appearing in the off-Broadway play “Once Around the Block.” His theatrical journey continued with roles in the off-Broadway play “Career,” and he made his Broadway debut in “Comes a Day” in 1958. Hagman’s Broadway credits later included “God and Kate Murphy,” “The Nervous Set,” “The Warm Peninsula,” and “The Beauty Part.”

Television Career: From ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ to ‘Dallas’

Hagman’s television career began in 1957 with an appearance in the crime drama “Decoy.” He later appeared on the adventure series “Harbormaster” and “Sea Hunt.” In 1961, he joined the cast of the daytime soap opera “The Edge of Night,” playing Ed Gibson. He also appeared in episodes of the legal drama “The Defenders.” His big break came in 1965 when he was cast as Major Anthony Nelson in the NBC sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie.” The popular show ran for five seasons, ending in 1970. Following this, Hagman starred in another NBC sitcom, “The Good Life,” from 1971 to 1972, and the short-lived ABC sitcom “Here We Go Again” in 1973. During the decade, he also appeared in several television films, including “A Howling in the Woods,” “Getting Away from it All,” “No Place to Run,” “Hurricane,” and “Intimate Strangers.”

In 1978, Hagman began his most iconic role: J.R. Ewing in the primetime soap opera “Dallas.” The series became a global phenomenon, running for 14 seasons until 1991. One of the show’s most memorable moments was the cliffhanger season finale in 1980 where J.R. was shot by an unknown assailant, leading to the famous catchphrase, “Who shot J.R.?” Hagman received two Emmy Award nominations and four Golden Globe nominations for his performance. He reprised his role as J.R. in the “Dallas” spinoff series “Knots Landing” and in several television films, including “The Early Years,” “J.R. Returns,” and “War of the Ewings.” He even returned to the role in the TNT revival of “Dallas” in 2012. Hagman also starred in the short-lived series “Orleans” and appeared in the seventh season of “Desperate Housewives.”

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The Sky-High Salary of J.R. Ewing: Hagman’s Negotiation Power

Larry Hagman’s net worth was significantly influenced by his salary for “Dallas.” In 1980, at the height of the show’s popularity, he earned $15,000 per episode. Accounting for inflation, this equates to roughly $50,000 per episode today. The “Who Done It” episode, where J.R. was shot, drew an astonishing 83 million viewers, remaining the second-most-watched non-Super Bowl television broadcast of all time.

Recognizing his leverage and the show’s success, Hagman famously instructed his agents to renegotiate his contract before the fourth season, demanding a new per-episode salary. The rate they requested? $100,000 per episode, which would be equivalent to approximately $350,000 today. This was considered an astronomical figure at the time. Network executives initially resisted, even suggesting they might write Hagman’s character off the show. Their proposed storyline involved J.R. undergoing plastic surgery to hide facial scars. However, the network eventually conceded. Hagman secured his desired salary of $100,000 per episode, which eventually rose to $250,000 per episode. Additionally, he negotiated a share of the royalties from J.R. Ewing merchandise. His savvy negotiations set a precedent, influencing other stars on shows like “Seinfeld” and “Friends.” Hagman even quipped, “In essence, I broke my contract. And whether that’s morally good or not, I don’t know. I think all the kids on Friends should kick in 10 percent to ol’ Lar’ for starting a trend!” Hagman was the only actor to appear in all 357 episodes of “Dallas,” and his financial acumen certainly contributed to his substantial net worth.

Film Career

Hagman’s film career began in 1964 with appearances in three movies: the war drama “The Cavern,” the comedy “Ensign Pulver,” and the Cold War thriller “Fail Safe.” The following year, he appeared in Otto Preminger’s epic war film “In Harm’s Way” and Sidney Lumet’s “The Group.” In the 1970s, Hagman’s film credits included “Up in the Cellar,” “Harry and Tonto,” “Stardust,” “The Big Bus,” “The Eagle Has Landed,” “Checkered Flag or Crash,” and “Superman.” He also directed “Beware! The Blob,” a sequel to the science-fiction horror classic “The Blob.” Among his later film credits were “S.O.B.,” “Nixon,” “Primary Colors,” and “I Get That a Lot.”

Ojai Estate and Other Homes

Larry Hagman and his wife, Maj, owned two primary properties in California: a Santa Monica condo and an estate in Ojai. In January 2013, Hagman’s estate sold the Santa Monica luxury condo for $5 million.

In the 1980s, the Hagmans and their children visited Ojai, located about an hour and a half north of Los Angeles, just south of Montecito. They fell in love with the area and purchased a 43-acre property high in the mountains. In 1987, they began construction on an impressive estate. Completed in 1991, the estate featured a 17,500-square-foot home with a helicopter pad, an infinity pool that wound through the house, an indoor lap pool, and orchards. Hagman installed a solar system that reduced his annual electricity bill from $30,000 to $13. In 2009, he listed his Ojai estate for $11 million, ultimately selling it in 2013 for $6.5 million. The property was later acquired by the Church of Scientology, which operates a drug treatment facility called Narconon Ojai there.

Here’s a drone video of the property from 2016, which uses the “Dallas” theme music in the background:

Personal Life and Death

In 1954, Hagman married Maj Axelsson, and they had two children, Heidi and Preston. They lived in Malibu, California, for many years before moving to the Ojai estate. In 2008, his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and passed away in 2016.

Hagman was a heavy drinker for many years and suffered from cirrhosis of the liver in the early 1990s. He was later diagnosed with liver cancer. In 1995, a successful liver transplant saved his life. In 2011, he announced he had throat cancer, which was successfully treated. He was later diagnosed with myeloid leukemia. Hagman died from complications of the disease in 2012 at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy as one of television’s most memorable and influential actors.

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