Larry Hagman, 81, Who Played J.R. On 'Dallas' "Few actors enjoyed their fame as much as Mr. Hagman, who portrayed the oilman-robber baron J. R. as, in one critic's words, 'an overstuffed Iago in a Stetson hat.' At the height of the show's popularity, he handed out fake $100 bills with his face on them." The New York Times 11/24/12