Home   >   Movie Stars   >   H   >   Larry Hagman

Larry Hagman

Larry Hagman was born in Fort Worth, TX, on September 21, the son of actress Mary Martin and attorney Ben Hagman. When his parents divorced, he went to live with his grandmother in Los Angeles until he was 12. When she died, Hagman returned to his mother, who by then had remarried and was pursuing a successful Broadway career. After a year at Bard College in Anandale-on-the-Hudson, NY, Hagman decided to follow in his mother's theatrical footsteps. His first stage experience was with the Margo Jones Theatre-in- the-Round in Dallas. He next appeared in the New York City Center production of The Taming of the Shrew, followed by a year performing in regional theatre.

Hagman moved to England as part of the cast of his mother's big stage hit, South Pacific, and stayed five years. While there, he joined the United States Air Force, where he produced and directed shows for servicemen. While stationed in England, Hagman met and married Maj (pronounced my) Axelsson, a young Swedish designer, in December of 1955.

Following his military service, he returned to New York City for a series of Broadway and off-Broadway plays including Once Around The Block, Career, Comes A Day, A Priest In The House and The Beauty Part, among others. Hagman's first television experience also began in New York when he starred in the daytime series The Edge of Night for two and a half years.

After nine years in New York, Hagman packed up his belongings and family, which included a daughter Kristina Mary (Heidi), and a son, Preston and moved to Hollywood.

In 1965, Hagman became a television name with his starring role in the comedy series I Dream Of Jeannie, in which he played an amiable astronaut whose life was perpetually plagued by a beautiful blonde genie, portrayed by Barbara Eden. Following the five-year run of Jeannie, he starred in the television series The Good Life and Here We Go Again. He also starred with Lauren Bacall in the television version of the hit Broadway musical Applause.

His motion picture-for-television credits include The President's Mistress, Last of the Good Guys, Battered and Duel in the Sky. Hagman has also appeared in a multitude of guest-starring roles on various television series and specials.

Hagman's feature film credits include Fail Safe, Ensign Pulver and the Captain, The Cavern, Stardust, 3 In The Cellar, The Group, Mother, Juggs and Speed, Harry and Tonto, The Eagle Has Landed, Superman and S.O.B.

An adamant non-smoker, Hagman has been chairman of the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout for the past seven years. In December, 1984, and in April, 1987 the Society honored Hagman for his continued involvement at a gala black tie fundraiser. At that occasion he announced that he would again serve as chairman of The Great American Smokeout for 1987.

Another important part of his life is the time he gives to working with the mentally handicapped. He was involved in the making of a Department of Health, Education and Welfare film about the deinstitutionalization of the retarded.

The delightfully eccentric and gregarious Hagman and his family live in the Malibu Colony in a Santa Fe-style house. When not relaxing in the hot tub/jacuzzi, which Maj designed and which is a focal point of their home, Hagman enjoys skiing, backpacking, fishing, sailing, touring in his personally designed custom motorhome, and collecting canes, hats and flags.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2003.
Read earlier biographies on this page.

Larry Hagman Facts

Birth NameLarry Hageman
OccupationActor
BirthdaySeptember 21, 1931
SignVirgo
BirthplaceFort Worth, Texas, USA
Date of deathNovember 23, 2012 (age 81)
Height6' 1" (1m85)  How tall is Larry Hagman compared to you?

Selected Filmography

In Harm's Way
I Dream of Jeannie
Dallas: The Complete Collection
Fail-Safe
S.O.B.
Dallas: The Complete First & Second Seasons
Fail Safe
Primary Colors
Nip/Tuck: The Sixth and Final Season
Dallas: Season 3
Continue » Find more details on the Larry Hagman Movies page