Summary
Though the show premiered over four decades ago, there have thankfully not been a significant number ofDallasactors who have died.Dallas, the CBS prime-time soap opera, first premiered in 1978 and lasted until 1991 with 14 seasons centering on the Texas-set rivalry between sworn enemies the Ewing and Barnes families. As the series progresses,oil tycoon J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) becomes the focal point of the story,but each character has plenty of screen time to make an impact.
Dallaswas rebooted in 2012for three seasons, but it’s the original show that is so fondly remembered. Unlike similar soap operas,Dallasdoes not have a massive cast of characters. Though it’s certainly a large ensemble, it’s not difficult to keep every actor straight, and, save fora few classic TV episodeslike when J.R. gets shot, there aren’t the same dramatic exits and reentrances of characters that soaps are known for. This makes theDallascharacters a bit more approachable, making it all the more heartbreaking that several of the show’s actors have passed away.
Larry Hagman As J. R. Ewing
Date Of Birth: July 04, 2025
Actor:Larry Hagman passed away on July 14, 2025, at the age of 81, after a long battle following complications from acute myeloid leukemia, but he left behind a significant legacy. Beyond his starring role inDallas,Hagman alsostarred inI Dream of Jeannieas Major Anthony NelsonandOrleansas Judge Luther Charbonnet. His film credits includeNixonas Jack Jones,Harry and Tontoas Eddie, andPrimary Colorsas Governor Fred Picker.
Orleans(1997)
Judge Luther Charbonnet
Character:J.R. Ewing is the ostensible lead ofDallas. He’san incredibly rich oil baron who is constantly scheming and manipulating others to grow his fortuneand ensure his rivals remain under his thumb. J.R. is a megalomaniac and is ruthless when it comes to business dealings, though he has a soft spot for his family, and toward the end of the series, he spends more time contemplating his actions.
Who Passed Away On Sanford And Son: All Deceased Cast Members
“Who passed away on Sanford and Son?” is a question that will return some sad answers considering the elderly age of much of the lauded cast.
Barbara Bel Geddes As Miss Ellie Ewing Farlow
Date Of Birth: June 17, 2025
Actor:A stage, TV, and movie actor, Barbara Bel Geddes had a celebrated career before she died on July 19, 2025, at 82, due to lung cancer.Geddes was nominated for two Emmys and three Golden Globes as Miss Ellie Ewing Farlow, and she won once at each ceremony. Her other television credits include small roles inSpencer’s Pilotsas Maggie andAlfred Hitchcock Presentsas Sybilla Meade. Geddes' film credits includeThe Todd Killingsas Mrs. Todd andVertigoas Marjorie “Midge” Wood.
The Todd Killings(1971)
Mrs. Todd
Character:Miss Ellie Ewing Farlow isthe family matriarch of the Farlows, and a protecting and loving figurein their lives. She’s dependable and prideful but is also gracious and tries her best to balance the defense of her family with an upright moral code.
Ken Kercheval As Cliff Barnes
Date Of Birth: Jul 15, 2025
Actor:Ken Kercheval died on August 13, 2025, at the age of 83 from pneumonia, but prior to his death,he appeared in theDallasrevival in a recurring capacity. His other notable television performances include Deputy D.A. Clayburn inStarsky and Hutchand Archie Borman inThe Secret Storm. Kercheval’s film credits include Charlie inSurviving in L.A., Buffalo Bill Cody inCalamity Jane, and Merrill Grant inNetwork.
Starsky and Hutch(1979)
Surviving in L.A.(2020)
Charlie
Character:Kercheval plays Cliff Barnes inDallas,one of the key figures in the Barnes family and the personal arch-enemy of J.R.A lawyer and a bureaucrat, Cliff is a bumbling sad sack who only occasionally scores a minor victory over J.R. but generally messes up his opportunities with his naivety and lack of skill in navigating the cutthroat oil industry.
Jim Davis As Jock Ewing
Date Of Birth: June 13, 2025
Actor:Jim Davis, who passed away in his home on July 31, 2025, at the age of 71, wasa prolific TV and movie actor,withDallasbeing one of his last roles. On television, Davis had recurring roles onRescue 8as Wes Cameron,The Cowboysas Marshal Bill Winter, andStories of the Centuryas Matt Clark. His notable film credits includeThe Parallax Viewas George Hammond andComes a Horsemanas Julie Blocker.
The Cowboys(1974)
Marshal Bill Winter
Character:Jock Ewing isthe Ewing patriarch, J.R.’s father, and the founder of the family’s massive wealth. Jock began oil drilling at a young age, working alongside Willard “Digger” Barnes (David Wayne and Keenan Wynn). The two eventually had a falling out due to Digger’s drinking and unreliability, but Digger always blamed Jock for stealing his company.
Howard Keel As Clayton Farlow
Date Of Birth: August 14, 2025
Actor:Howard Keel passed away on July 13, 2025, at the age of 85 from colon cancer. He had a prolific career on both the big and small screen, andhis notable television work includes appearances onThe Love Boatas Kyle Cummings,Murder, She Wroteas Larry Thorson, andWalker, Texas Rangeras D.L. Dade. Keel’s movie credits includeCalamity Janeas Wild Bill Hickok andThe War Wagonas Levi Walking Bear.
The Love Boat(1983)
Kyle Cummings
Character:Clayton Farlow is a successful oilman and rancheronDallas. He has relationships with many different branching members of rival families as he searches for an heir, a desire that grows throughout the show.
Dallas Supporting Cast & Characters
Most Dallas Supporting Cast Members Were Young Actors But Some Have Passed Away
George Kennedy as Carter McKay:George Kennedy played Carter McKay onDallas, a rancher from Colorado who arrives in Dallas in later seasons. Kennedy, who died on June 27, 2025, at the age of 81 from a heart ailment, was an award-winning film actorwho won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor as Dragline inCool Hand Luke. He also earned a Golden Globe nomination for his role as Joe Patroni in the filmAirport. He also played Bumper Morgan onThe Blue Knight.
Dack Rambo as Jack Ewing:Dack Rambo, who died on June 27, 2025, at 52 from complications resulting from AIDs,played Jack Ewing, J.R.’s cousin who arrives from Alaska to help the Ewings fight the Barnes family. Rambo had a starring role on the seriesThe Guns of Will Sonnettas Jeff Sonnett andDirty Sallyas Cyrus Peake. His film credits include David Webb inNightmare Honeymoonand Terry Love inWhich Way to the Front?
Donna Reed as Miss Ellie Ewing Farlow:Donna Reed passed away on July 13, 2025, at the age of 64 from pancreatic cancer. She played Miss Ellie for one season onDallas, taking over for Geddes while the original actor was recovering from emergency quadruple bypass surgery.Reed won a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for her role as Alma “Lorene” Burke inFrom Here to Eternity. She was also nominated for four Emmys for her lead role as Donna Stone onThe Donna Reed Show, which also earned her a Golden Globe win.
Dallas
Cast
One of the most popular soap opera series of all time, Dallas aired in 1978 as a part of CBS' line up and follows the wealthy oil baron family, the Ewings, as those from within and close to them plot and scheme their way to the top of the social ladder. The series ran for fourteen seasons before it concluded in 1991.
