14 DAY TRIAL // Octogenarian actor Larry Hagman, most famously known for his role as J.R. Ewing on the ‘80s hit series “Dallas,” is battling cancer once more. The actor has issued a statement to break the news to fans.
Hagman, who is set to reprise the iconic role in TNT’s follow-up series, insists in a statement cited by On The Red Carpet that fans shouldn’t worry: his cancer is treatable and he’s determined to beat it.
He also appreciates the irony of the situation, making a joke about his onscreen ruthless persona and the events that are happening in real life.
“As J.R. I could get away with anything – bribery, blackmail and adultery. But I got caught by cancer,” he says in the statement.
He doesn’t say what type of cancer he’s suffering from, but he mentions that it’s basically nothing to worry about because, “it is a very common and treatable form of cancer.”
He’s now getting treatment for it, he adds. Moreover, he has no plans of taking time off from the new show because not even cancer can stop J.R., he continues on the same light note.
“I will be receiving treatment while working on the new ‘Dallas’ series. I could not think of a better place to be than working on a show I love, with people I love. Besides, as we all know, you can’t keep J.R. down!” he says.
TNT, the network behind the much anticipated new series, which will continue the story of the Ewing family after the events in the first one and thus introduce a whole new generation of Ewings, has also put out a statement on Hagman’s shocking announcement.
He has the support of everyone working on “Dallas,” TNT promises.
“Everyone at Warner Horizon Television, TNT and the entire Dallas family completely supports Larry Hagman during this time,” reads the statement from the network, as cited by the same media outlet.
“We look forward to watching Larry once again work his magic by bringing one of television’s most interesting, complex and controversial characters back to the screen in the new Dallas series,” it further says.
Fans must surely feel the same.