Larry Hagman, 81, J.R. Ewing

Link.

He was also on I Dream of Jeannie and the short-lived CBS series Orleans, from the mid '90s, where he played a courtroom judge.

But everyone knows him best as J.R. Ewing. The scene that made him famous was the season 3 episode "A House Divided" where he got shot in the back. In the 4th season (1980-81), J.R.'s assailant was revealed:

 

Almost three decades later, Larry spoke of the scene:

 

 

Dallas was cancelled at the 1990-91 season after 14 seasons on CBS. Two telemovies passed (both ran on CBS) and over a decade later, returned with the re-vamped version on TNT last year (both Bobby and Sue Ellen also came back for the reboot).

 

He has battled various illnesses, but yesterday lost the fight.