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74-491: The house was built in 1970 by Joe Duncan and was known as Duncan Acres , named after his family. The property was originally 200 acres (0.81 km) in size. The "mansion" at Southfork Ranch is a 5,900 sq ft (550 m) house with a 957 sq ft (88.9 m) enclosed garage that was turned into a den/card room. The ranch appears in the television series Dallas . Exterior shots were filmed on location from 1978 until 1989, though Lorimar Productions also made

148-594: A 1980 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Bel Geddes. With its 357 episodes, Dallas remains one of the longest lasting full-hour prime time dramas in American TV history , behind Gunsmoke (635 episodes), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (551 episodes as of May 2024), Law & Order (501 episodes as of May 2024), Bonanza (430 episodes), and Grey's Anatomy (428 episodes as of May 2024). Dallas also spawned spin-off series Knots Landing in 1979, which also lasted 14 seasons and

222-453: A new, updated continuation of Dallas , ignoring the events of the two reunion films. The revival series, continuing the story of the Ewing family, premiered on TNT on June 13, 2012, and ran for three seasons, ending its run on September 22, 2014. Dallas debuted on April 2, 1978, as a five-part miniseries on CBS . Although the miniseries was created as the series' pilot , by the time it

296-624: A controversial decision, was replaced with actress Donna Reed for the 1984–1985 season . With her health improved, CBS-TV persuaded Lorimar Productions to return Bel Geddes to the role of Miss Ellie for the 1985–1986 season . As the only primetime television actor to relinquish and later regain a role, Bel Geddes continued to play the part through the penultimate season of Dallas in 1990. Bel Geddes retired from acting in 1990 and settled in her homes in Northeast Harbor, Maine , and Putnam Valley, New York , where she continued to work as

370-412: A dream of Victoria Principal 's character Pam , effectively sweeping away the events occurring during the period in which Katzman's involvement with the show had been minimized. Even the cast were affected by the production and political struggles. While Larry Hagman ( J.R. ) reportedly supported Katzman, and had played a great part in bringing Duffy back, Susan Howard ( Donna ), who also had written

444-445: A final time for two episodes towards the end of the season. While there has been no official reason as to why actor Dack Rambo was written out of Dallas , Rambo himself later stated that he believed the reasons to be his bisexuality or his conflicts with Larry Hagman, which Rambo said had particularly intensified during his last season on the show (season 10). Before Dallas , Rambo and Hagman had worked together on Sword of Justice in

518-476: A fine artist. She was the author of two children's books, I Like to Be Me and So Do I , as well as the creator of a popular line of greeting cards. Looking back on her career, Bel Geddes told People : "They're always making me play well-bred ladies. I'm not very well bred, and I'm not much of a lady." Bel Geddes died of lung cancer on August 8, 2005, at her estate in Northeast Harbor, Maine, at

592-610: A fling are, as Kanaly told Dinah Shore in an appearance on her show, "prayerfully forgotten, I hope". Ray had previously engaged in a short fling with Pamela, but she fell deeply in love with Bobby, and the pilot episode begins with the two of them arriving at Southfork Ranch as newlyweds, shocking the entire family. J.R., who loathed the Barnes family, was not happy with Pam's living at Southfork, and constantly tried to undermine her marriage to Bobby. Meanwhile, Pam's brother Cliff ( Ken Kercheval ), who had inherited Digger's hatred towards

666-565: A given season had on-location sequences filmed in Dallas. MGM built a full-size replica of the Southfork Ranch backyard and pool on one of its soundstages, allowing for filming of "location" shots during the latter part of the season. Barbara Bel Geddes Barbara Bel Geddes (October 31, 1922 – August 8, 2005) was an American stage and screen actress , artist , and children's author whose career spanned almost 5 decades. She

740-439: A later interview for the website "Ultimate Dallas", Hagman said, "The reason I took the show, they said Barbara Bel Geddes is going to play your mother, and I said, 'Well, that's a touch of class, you know,' so of course I wanted to work with her." In 1971, Bel Geddes underwent a radical mastectomy , which was an experience that she relived while playing Miss Ellie in the 1979–1980 season of Dallas . The performance garnered her

814-531: A long line of ranchers with great love for the land and the cattle. Following their marriage, the Southworth family ranch, Southfork , became the Ewings' home, where Jock and Miss Ellie raised three sons: J.R. ( Larry Hagman ), Gary ( David Ackroyd / Ted Shackelford ) and Bobby ( Patrick Duffy ). J.R., unscrupulous and unhappily married to former Miss Texas beauty queen Sue Ellen Shepard ( Linda Gray ),

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888-418: A miniseries, are now referred to as season 1 , making fourteen seasons in total. The show is known for its portrayal of wealth, sex, intrigue, conflict and power struggles. Throughout the series, the main premise is the longtime rivalry between the Ewing and Barnes families, which came to head when the Barnes daughter Pamela ( Victoria Principal ) eloped with youngest Ewing son Bobby ( Patrick Duffy ), in

962-417: A physically disfigured fashion. While Victoria Principal never returned to Dallas again after the season 10 finale, Margaret Michaels , a Principal look-alike, played Pam in the opening episode of season 12 . Having undergone plastic surgery which explained the difference in her appearance, it was revealed that Pam was dying of a disease, though only she and her doctor knew about this. After this episode, Pam

1036-1663: A season 2 episode). Among the most frequently appearing business associates of the Ewing family are oil cartel members Jordan Lee ( Don Starr , seasons 2–14), Marilee Stone ( Fern Fitzgerald , seasons 2–13) and Andy Bradley ( Paul Sorensen , seasons 2–10); Jock's good friend Marvin "Punk" Anderson ( Morgan Woodward , seasons 4–11) and his wife Mavis ( Alice Hirson , seasons 6–7 and 10–11); and shady investment banker Vaughn Leland ( Dennis Patrick , seasons 3, 5, and 7–8). Other longtime Ewing acquaintances include Dallas PD detective Harry McSween, serving as J.R.'s source within police force ( James Brown , seasons 2–12); family attorney Harv Smithfield ( George O. Petrie , seasons 3–14); and Donna's stepson, U.S. Senator Dave Culver ( Tom Fuccello , seasons 3–6, 8, 10–11, and 13–14). Also appearing in many episodes are several background characters, including Bobby's secretaries Connie Brasher (portrayed by Donna Bullock in season 1, Ann Ford and Nancy Bleier in season 2, and Jeanna Michaels in seasons 2–4) and Phyllis Wapner ( Deborah Tranelli , seasons 4–14); J.R.'s secretaries Louella Caraway Lee ( Meg Gallagher , seasons 2–4) and Sly Lovegren ( Deborah Rennard , seasons 5–14); Cliff's secretary Jackie Dugan ( Sherril Lynn Rettino , seasons 2–5 and 7–14); Ewing Oil receptionist Kendall Chapman (Danone Simpson, seasons 6–14); Southfork maid Teresa (Roseanna Christiansen, seasons 6–14); and Oil Baron's Club staff Dora Mae (Pat Colbert, seasons 7–14), Cassie (Anne C. Lucas, seasons 5–10), and Debbie (Deborah Marie Taylor, seasons 11–14). Widely known supporting actor Tina Louise played J.R.'s secretary, Julie Grey, during

1110-592: A studio mock-up of the ranch's exterior (complete with swimming pool) in California in 1978 for use when the weather made it impractical to film on location in Texas. From 1989 the series' production shifted entirely to the California studio set. The reunion movies J.R. Returns (1996) and War of the Ewings (1998) returned to the ranch, as did the non-fiction special The Return to Southfork (2004). War of

1184-471: A total of 344 episodes. In 2007, Dallas was included in Time magazine's list of "100 Best TV Shows of All-Time". The series finale had a cliffhanger that was resolved in the first of two subsequent reunion films : Dallas: J.R. Returns . There was a second film Dallas: War of the Ewings , and a retrospective special Dallas Reunion: The Return to Southfork . In 2010, TNT announced it had ordered

1258-545: Is never seen again. Unable to reach a salary agreement and having a desire to start her own business, it was Principal's own decision not to return to the show after the season 10 finale. Budget cuts also meant other long term cast members were let go. In addition to Pamela's departure, Ray and Donna divorced at the end of season 10 . Donna moving to Washington, D.C. , where she later married Senator Andrew Dowling (guest star Jim McMullan ), with whom she raised Ray's daughter Margaret. Actress Susan Howard stated in 1987 that

1332-585: The Southfork Ranch in Parker, Texas , and other sections of Dallas. For season 13 , rising production costs led to all filming being relocated to California . Typically the cast and crew would spend six to eight weeks filming on-location sequences in the Dallas area during the summer prior to the season, then film the remainder of the season in the Los Angeles area; fewer than half of the episodes in

1406-553: The season 8 finale, alongside his subsequent absence during the following season, was explained away at the beginning of season 10 as having been dreamed by Pamela, thus erasing everything that had happened during season 9 . Patrick Duffy had left the series to pursue other opportunities, but due to declining ratings, he was convinced to return to the series by production company Lorimar as well as by series star Larry Hagman. Jack Ewing left Dallas to continue his travels and get away from J.R., midway through season 10 , and returned

1480-507: The 14th and final season of the series commenced, ten actors received regular cast status. Although half of them left the show prior to the series finale , all of them remained billed in the series' opening sequence throughout the year. Clayton Farlow made four appearances, clearing up business that included deeding Southfork to Bobby; April Stevens Ewing died early on in the season, kidnapped on her honeymoon by Hillary Taylor (guest star Susan Lucci ); Cally Harper Ewing left midway through

1554-796: The 1946 Broadway production of Deep Are the Roots . The performance garnered her the Clarence Derwent Award , the Theatre World Award and the Donaldson Award (forerunner of the Tony Awards) presented to her by Laurette Taylor , for "Outstanding Achievement in The Theatre". From 1951 to 1953, Bel Geddes played 924 performances of the F. Hugh Herbert hit comedy The Moon Is Blue . In 1955, she created

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1628-473: The Emmy Award. She was also honored by First Lady Betty Ford for helping to raise breast cancer awareness. On March 15, 1983, only days after she had completed filming for the 1982–1983 season , Bel Geddes narrowly avoided a heart attack when her doctor discovered a condition that required emergency quadruple bypass surgery . She subsequently missed the first 11 episodes of the 1983–1984 season and in

1702-555: The Ewings , in 1998, was the only time filming was done inside the real ranch for dramatic purposes. Southfork was again used for the new Dallas series from 2012-2014. Some scenes in the prequel, Dallas: The Early Years , were filmed there in November 1985. In 1993–94 the ranch was featured in the Little Texas music video " God Blessed Texas ". The ranch is now an event and conference center, owned by Forever Resorts. It

1776-455: The Ewings, shared J.R.'s objections to the marriage and continued his father's quest to get revenge. Most of the seasons ended with ratings-grabbing cliffhangers, the most notable being the season 3 finale " A House Divided ", which launched the landmark " Who shot J.R.? " storyline and was ranked No. 69 on TV Guide 's list of "TV's Top 100 Episodes of All Time". Other season finale cliffhangers include an unidentified female corpse in

1850-745: The Garden , and Silent Night, Lonely Night with Henry Fonda . She starred with Michael Redgrave in the Broadway production of The Sleeping Prince . In the film adaptation, retitled The Prince and the Showgirl , the roles were reprised by Marilyn Monroe and Laurence Olivier . In 1952, she was presented with the prestigious Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year award from America's oldest theater company, Harvard University 's Hasty Pudding Theatricals ; in 1993, having appeared in 15 Broadway productions, she

1924-542: The Golden Globe ( List of Golden Globe Awards: Television, Best Actress, Drama ). In 1985, she also received Germany's Golden Camera Award. Larry Hagman (who was only nine years junior to Bel Geddes), who played J. R. Ewing , told the Associated Press : "She was the rock of Dallas . She was just a really nice woman and a wonderful actress. She was kind of the glue that held the whole thing together." In

1998-593: The Slaughter ", in which she played a housewife who killed her husband by bludgeoning him to death with a frozen leg of lamb, cooking the murder weapon, and then serving it to the investigating police. She appeared in series such as Playhouse 90 , CBS Playhouse , Riverboat , Dr. Kildare , and Death Valley Days . In 1977, she starred in the highly acclaimed production of the Thornton Wilder classic Our Town with Hal Holbrook . In 1978, Bel Geddes

2072-483: The Southfork swimming pool ( season 4 ); a blazing house fire ( season 6 ); Bobby's death ( season 8 ) and subsequent resurrection ( season 9 ); and J.R.'s apparent suicide ( season 14 ). For the original five-episodes miniseries ( season 1 ) six actors received star billing: Barbara Bel Geddes as matriarch Miss Ellie Ewing , whose family were the original owners of Southfork; Jim Davis as her husband Jock Ewing ,

2146-441: The age of 82. Her ashes were scattered from a simple wooden boat into the harbor waters bordering her estate. At the revival of Dallas in 2012 , Patrick Duffy (who played her youngest son, Bobby , in the original series ) said: "Barbara is a big piece of our history, and it's important to me to honor her." "Through the whole first season, I don't think an episode goes by that Mama is not mentioned in reference to Southfork and

2220-444: The cattle-ranching land of Southfork . The series originally focused on the marriage of Bobby Ewing and Pam Ewing , whose families were sworn enemies. As the series progressed, Bobby's elder brother, oil tycoon J. R. Ewing , became the show's breakout character , whose schemes and dirty business became the show's trademark. When the show ended on May 3, 1991, J. R. was the only character to have appeared in every episode. The show

2294-425: The claim of decreased ratings (though the accuracy of this has been disputed) caused production company Lorimar to persuade both Patrick Duffy and Leonard Katzman to return. As season 9 came to a close, Katzman was on board to return as showrunner for the following season and the season finale saw Patrick Duffy inexplicably resurface on screen. As of the season 10 premiere, there was another major overhaul of

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2368-404: The crew, with Leonard Katzman not only returning to the production side of the show but also getting promoted to executive producer, reportedly on the condition that he would get "total authority" of the show, while Philip Capice and most of the season 9 staff left the production. Alongside Katzman, David Paulsen was brought back as the show's new producer, while the position as supervising producer

2442-469: The daughter of Helen Belle (née Schneider; 1891–1938) and stage and industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes (1893–1958). She married theatrical manager Carl Sawyer (né Schreuer) in 1944; they had one daughter, Susan. They divorced in 1951. Later that year, she married stage director Windsor Lewis, with whom she had a daughter, Betsy. When Lewis became ill in 1967, Bel Geddes suspended her career to care for him; he died in 1972. Bel Geddes came to prominence in

2516-631: The end of season 2, in order to focus on the production of spin-off Knots Landing . The executive producers of Dallas in the first 3 seasons were Philip Capice and Lee Rich . During the first 8 seasons of the show, Dallas ' s production team remained basically intact (the main exception being Rich's leaving after season 3 ). After Lee Rich's departure, Philip Capice served as the sole executive producer, Leonard Katzman as producer and showrunner, Cliff Fenneman as associate producer, and Arthur Bernard Lewis as executive story editor /supervising producer. And, although 25 writers contributed with scripts,

2590-445: The final episodes of season 11 , only to leave again two years later for Europe. On both occasions, Charlene Tilton 's axing was a decision made by the creative team, who had difficulties creating storylines for her. Sue Ellen left in the season 12 finale , moving to London with her new husband, film director Don Lockwood (guest star Ian McShane ). While Linda Gray was let go by the same budget cuts that ended Steve Kanaly's run on

2664-449: The final two years. Lakin spent seasons 13 and 14 as supervising producer. Mitchell Wayne Katzman was promoted to co-producer as of season 12, while Frank Katzman (the other son of Leonard Katzman) and John Rettino (Leonard Katzman's son-in-law), served as associate producers during seasons 13 and 14. Additionally, Katzman's PA Louella Lee Caraway was credited as executive coordinator for the final three seasons. The final major addition to

2738-403: The first 11 episodes of season 7 , as she had a period of rest and recuperation following the surgery. After the season 7 finale, Bel Geddes left Dallas entirely after disagreements over her workload and salary in the period following her heart surgery. The role of Miss Ellie was then recast with Donna Reed for season 8 , with Reed signing a 3-year contract. Bel Geddes was asked to return for

2812-583: The first and the final episode of the original five-part miniseries ( season 1 ), with the other three episodes being written by Arthur Bernard Lewis , Camille Marchetta and Virginia Aldrige. While Aldrige did not return to the series again and Marchetta left during season 4 , Lewis grew to be one of Dallas's most influential writers. Leonard Katzman had been a part of season 1 as producer, and during season 2 his influence increased, as he began writing and directing episodes. Series creator David Jacobs left his day-to-day duties as executive story consultant at

2886-487: The first episode of season 3 . David Wayne received guest star billing as Willard "Digger" Barnes . Further on in the series, several new characters were added as the original actors departed the series: For season 5 , after guest starring since season 2 , Susan Howard joined the main cast as Donna Culver Krebbs , politician and widow of a former Texas governor, who becomes Ray's first wife and mother to his daughter Margaret. Season 8 saw Howard Keel promoted to

2960-570: The first episode. The series is largely set in Dallas, Texas , and fictional Braddock County, where the Southfork Ranch is located. The backstory was that, in the 1930s, wildcatter John Ross "Jock" Ewing ( Jim Davis ) had allegedly cheated his one-time partner, Willard "Digger" Barnes ( David Wayne / Keenan Wynn ), out of his share of their company Ewing Oil , and married Digger's only love, Eleanor "Miss Ellie" Southworth ( Barbara Bel Geddes / Donna Reed ). In contrast to Jock, Miss Ellie came from

3034-571: The first two seasons before her character was killed off. By the end of the series, only three of the series' original characters (J.R., Bobby, and Cliff) were left in Dallas, the others having either died or left town. Jock Ewing was the first main character to depart the series, as Jock died offscreen in a mysterious helicopter crash in South America, during season 5 . Actor Jim Davis , who played Jock, had died just after production had completed on season 4 in 1981. Bobby Ewing's death in

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3108-598: The founder of Ewing Oil and head of the Ewing family; Patrick Duffy as their youngest son, Bobby ; Victoria Principal as Pamela Barnes Ewing , the daughter of the rival Barnes family whom Bobby brings home as his wife in the pilot episode; Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing , the oldest son, who strongly objects to his new sister-in-law; and Charlene Tilton as Lucy , Bobby's. J.R's. and Ray's teenage niece, who adores Bobby, Ray but resents J.R. for disposing of her parents in order for her to be raised by "true Ewings". Not receiving top billing during season 1, although appearing in

3182-490: The intention of settling down. Although Jock warmed to Valene and supported Gary's fledgling family, J.R. pressured Gary into alcoholism by landing him with bad business deals that caused him to flee Southfork. With Gary gone, J.R. persecuted Valene until she left the ranch and the state, leaving Lucy to be raised by her grandparents. During the first episodes of the series, teenage Lucy is seen sleeping with ranch foreman Ray Krebbs ( Steve Kanaly ). Later, in season 4 , Ray

3256-479: The late 1970s. Hagman later denied any involvement in Rambo's dismissal from Dallas . Pamela was severely burned after driving a car into an oil tanker, which then exploded into flames, in the season 10 finale in 1987. During season 11 , Pam disappeared after her half-sister Katherine was seen around the hospital, with Pam seemingly leaving Bobby and Christopher due to her unwillingness to let them see her in such

3330-655: The main cast: Academy Award winner George Kennedy as Carter McKay , who buys Ray's ranch and eventually becomes the head of Ewing Oil rival WestStar; Cathy Podewell as the young and naïve Cally Harper Ewing , J.R.'s second wife, whom he married to escape false rape charges; Sasha Mitchell as J.R.'s illegitimate firstborn son, James Beaumont ; Kimberly Foster as April's devious sister Michelle Stevens , who marries both James and Cliff Barnes; and finally Lesley-Anne Down as PR woman Stephanie Rogers . While Kennedy and Podewell had appeared regularly throughout season 12 , Mitchell, Foster and Down's characters were all new to

3404-411: The majority of the episodes, were Linda Gray as Sue Ellen , J.R.'s long-suffering, alcoholic wife; Steve Kanaly as Pam's ex-boyfriend Ray Krebbs , a Southfork ranch hand who would later turn out to be Jock's illegitimate son; and Ken Kercheval as Pam's brother Cliff Barnes , J.R.'s archrival. Gray and Kanaly were promoted to the regular cast as of the first episode of season 2 and Kercheval as of

3478-412: The producers had told her that her character had run its course. As season 11 ended, Ray sold his ranch to Carter McKay and left Dallas for Switzerland with Jenna and Lucas, Charlie having already moved there to attend a finishing school . Ray returned for five episodes in the early period of season 12 . Lucy Ewing , who had left with husband Mitch at the end of season 8 , returned to Southfork in

3552-588: The role of Maggie "The Cat" in Elia Kazan 's original Broadway production of Tennessee Williams ' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof , and in 1961 created the title role in the Jean Kerr comedy Mary, Mary which became Broadway's longest-running show with over 1,500 performances. Both roles earned her Tony Award nominations. Other highlights include John Steinbeck 's Burning Bright , Edward Albee 's Everything in

3626-466: The role was permanently taken over by Presley in season 7 . Donna Reed also joined the main cast during season 8 , temporarily portraying Miss Ellie until Barbara Bel Geddes returned in the following year. Dack Rambo , portraying wandering cousin Jack Ewing , was promoted to regular status for season 10 , after having appeared regularly since the end of season 8 . However, he was written out of

3700-598: The screen musical The Five Pennies . When an investigation from the House Un-American Activities Committee had Bel Geddes's name put on the Hollywood blacklist during the 1950s, it stalled her film career for a time, and she carried on with her acting on Broadway and an occasional part on television. Bel Geddes found new opportunity in television when she was cast in four episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents , including " Lamb to

3774-632: The script for one of the season 9 episodes, had sided with Philip Capice, and was opposed to the idea of annulling the events of season 9. While she returned to write another episode for season 10, she left the show, both as a writer and as a cast member, at the end of the season. During the final four years of the show, Leonard Katzman remained showrunner, with series star Larry Hagman joining him as executive producer (beginning with season 12 ) and Ken Horton as co-executive producer (as of season 13 ). Supervising producer Calvin Clements Jr. left

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3848-489: The season to build a new life, with a new boyfriend and her and J.R.'s newborn son; Liz Adams broke her engagement to Cliff and left near the end of the season, and James Beaumont left the show a couple of episodes prior to the series finale, to start a new life on the east coast with his newly discovered toddler son Jimmy, and Jimmy's mother Debra Lynn (guest star Deborah Tucker ). As the series concluded, Carter McKay stayed put at WestStar, as powerful as ever; Michelle Stevens

3922-735: The series when they joined the regular cast. Finally, for the 14th and final season , after guest starring in the last episodes of season 13 , Barbara Stock joined the cast as Cliff's fiancée Liz Adams . During its 14-year run, Dallas saw several actors appearing in supporting roles. The most notable include: Longtime child characters include J.R. and Sue Ellen's son John Ross Ewing III (portrayed for seasons 4–6 by Tyler Banks, and for seasons 7–14 by Omri Katz ); Bobby and Pam's adopted son Christopher Ewing (portrayed by Eric Farlow for seasons 6–8, and by Joshua Harris for seasons 9–14), and Jenna's daughter Charlotte "Charlie" Wade ( Shalane McCall , seasons 7–11, also played by Laurie Lynn Myers for

3996-453: The show after season 10 , and was replaced for seasons 11 and 12 by the returning Arthur Bernard Lewis, who remained a writer on the show until its end. Lewis was thus reuniting with Leonard Katzman and David Paulsen. However, Paulsen left Dallas at the end of the 11th season (to join rival soap Dynasty ), and was replaced as the show's producer first by Howard Lakin for season 12, and then by longtime associate producer Cliff Fenneman for

4070-571: The show at the end of season 8 . Although Katzman was to continue writing for the show during season 9 and also acted during this season as "creative consultant" (which meant he was sent copies of all scripts and asked to give his input), Capice decided to bring in a new production team: joining him and associate producer Cliff Fenneman were James H. Brown as producer and Peter Dunne as supervising producer/showrunner, executive story consultant Joel J. Feigenbaum, and story editors Hollace White and Stephanie Garman. However, increased production costs and

4144-424: The show midway through the tenth season. Jack's sister Jamie Ewing Jenilee Harrison appeared in season 8. Jack's ex-wife April Stevens Ewing , played by Sheree J. Wilson , first appeared during seasons 10 and 11 , before being promoted to a main character for season 12 . Originally a scheming character, April eventually became Bobby's second wife after his divorce from Pam. Season 13 saw several additions to

4218-582: The show, Sue Ellen's exit has since been described by Gray as a mutual decision by her and Leonard Katzman , agreeing that the character "had come more than full circle". Stephanie Rogers was let go as Cliff's PR representative at the end of season 13 , making actress Lesley-Anne Down the most short-lived member of the regular cast, appearing in 8 episodes and being on the opening title sequence in 13 episodes. Barbara Bel Geddes had quadruple heart bypass surgery on March 15, 1983, just days after finishing her last scenes on season 6 . Bel Geddes then missed

4292-648: The staff was Lisa Seidman , who joined the show as executive story consultant for the final two seasons. The pilot season was shot entirely on location in Dallas, Texas , and at the Cloyce Box Ranch in Frisco, Texas . Later, most interiors for the show were shot at the MGM Studios in Culver City, California (which was purchased outright by Lorimar in 1986), with some exteriors being shot at

4366-475: The star cast after appearing since season 4 as wealthy, occasionally hot-tempered rancher Clayton Farlow , Miss Ellie's husband following Jock's death, and of Priscilla Beaulieu Presley as Bobby's teenage sweetheart Jenna Wade , who gives birth to Bobby's only biological child, Lucas, and eventually becomes Ray's second wife. Jenna had previously been played by Morgan Fairchild for a season 2 episode, and Francine Tacker for two episodes in season 3 before

4440-718: The start of season 9 , a request to which Bel Geddes agreed, resulting in a high-profile public relations debacle that left Reed infuriated and in litigation with the series producers, who eventually made Reed a $ 1 million out-of-court settlement. Reed died unexpectedly of pancreatic cancer a few months later, in January 1986. Miss Ellie remained on the show until near the end of season 13 , when she and Clayton left Dallas, deciding to travel around Far East Asia before eventually settling in Europe near Ray and Jenna. Following her exit from Dallas in 1990, Bel Geddes retired from acting. When

4514-418: The trio of Katzman, Lewis and David Paulsen wrote nearly two-thirds of the episodes during these first eight seasons. Paulsen had joined the show during the season 4 and was promoted to story editor for season 6 . Notably, the three of them wrote every episode but two during seasons 7 and 8 . Creative conflicts between executive producer Philip Capice and producer Leonard Katzman led to Katzman leaving

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4588-595: The unanswered question whether or not he killed himself. Series creator David Jacobs 's partner Michael Filerman suggested Dallas as the name for the show. Jacobs knew nothing about the city other than the Kennedy assassination and the Dallas Cowboys ; only after visiting the state to prepare for filming did he realize that the show should be called Houston as the petroleum industry is much more important there, while Dallas has banking and insurance. He wrote

4662-416: Was aired, neither the producers nor the network were hopeful that it would continue beyond these five episodes and had no plans for expansion. It was shown in a late Sunday night time-slot, known for low ratings. However, the miniseries proved popular enough to be turned into a regular series and broadcast for 13 full seasons from September 23, 1978, to May 3, 1991. The five pilot episodes, originally considered

4736-492: Was best known for her starring role as Miss Ellie Ewing in the television series Dallas . Bel Geddes also starred as Maggie in the original Broadway production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1955. Her notable films included I Remember Mama (1948) and Vertigo (1958). Throughout her career, she was the recipient of several acting awards and nominations. Bel Geddes was born on October 31, 1922, in New York City,

4810-485: Was frequently at odds with Bobby, who had the morals and integrity that J.R. lacked. Middle son Gary was Miss Ellie's favorite as he displayed Southworth traits; however, Gary had been in conflict with both Jock and J.R. since childhood and was dismissed as a weak link. At 17, Gary secretly met and married 15-year-old waitress Valene Clements ( Joan Van Ark ), producing the first Ewing grandchild - petite and saucy Lucy ( Charlene Tilton ) - before returning to Southfork with

4884-551: Was home to the KLTY-FM radio Christian concert Celebrate Freedom, held annually during the Independence Day celebration, and hosted the 4 July 2009 " America's Tea Party ", which an organizer said drew an estimated crowd of 25,000–35,000. In December 2012 a memorial service was held at the Southfork Ranch after the death of actor Larry Hagman , who starred as J.R. Ewing in the series. A memorial book for fans to sign

4958-793: Was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame (located in the Gershwin Theatre in New York City), a distinction she shared with her father, stage and industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes . Bel Geddes began her film career starring with Henry Fonda in The Long Night (1947), a remake of the 1939 French film Le jour se lève . "I went out to California awfully young", she said. "I remember Lillian Hellman and Elia Kazan telling me, 'Don't go, learn your craft.' But I loved films." The following year, she

5032-419: Was left heartbroken and humiliated, alone in the ranch she had bought from McKay hoping to live there with James; Cliff Barnes was once and for all the sole owner of Ewing Oil, and Bobby Ewing, now owner of Southfork, was finally able to find closure after April's death. J.R., however, having lost both Ewing Oil and Southfork, as well as being abandoned by his sons, was at the end of his rope; the series ended with

5106-636: Was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the George Stevens film I Remember Mama . She played Richard Widmark 's wife Nancy in Kazan's 1950 film noir Panic in the Streets . In 1958, Alfred Hitchcock cast her with James Stewart in Vertigo as the long-suffering bohemian, Midge. Bel Geddes also starred with Danny Kaye and Louis Armstrong in

5180-422: Was offered to newcomer Calvin Clements Jr. and Cliff Fenneman remained associate producer. A new writing staff was hired to work alongside the producers, including Katzman's son Mitchell Wayne Katzman as story editor and Leah Markus as story consultant. Markus left after two years, while the others remained until the show's end. Scriptwise, Patrick Duffy 's return was explained by having the entire season 9 being

5254-700: Was prominent for its cliffhangers , including the " Who shot J.R.? " mystery. The 1980 episode " Who Done It " remains the second-highest-rated primetime telecast ever . The show also featured a "Dream Season", in which the entirety of season 9 was revealed to have been a dream of Pamela Ewing. After 14 seasons, the series finale " Conundrum " aired in 1991. The show was mostly an ensemble cast , with Larry Hagman as greedy, scheming oil tycoon J.R. Ewing , stage/screen actress Barbara Bel Geddes as family matriarch Miss Ellie and Western movie actor Jim Davis as Ewing patriarch Jock , his last role before his death in 1981. The series won four Emmy Awards , including

5328-469: Was revealed as Lucy's uncle, an illegitimate son of Jock's through an extramarital affair during World War II . Unhappy with his small, one-dimensional role, Kanaly had considered leaving the show; to add depth to the Ray character, Hagman suggested that the writers create a plot wherein Ray becomes half-brother to J.R., Gary, and Bobby, noting his resemblance to Davis. The episodes where Ray and his niece Lucy had

5402-484: Was set up in the "J.R. Ewing room". 33°02′57″N 96°36′33″W  /  33.04917°N 96.60917°W  / 33.04917; -96.60917 Dallas (1978 TV series) Dallas was an American prime time soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1978, to May 3, 1991. The series revolved around an affluent and feuding Texas family, the Ewings , who owned the independent oil company Ewing Oil and

5476-502: Was the first actor signed to star in Dallas . The role of the family matriarch, Miss Ellie Ewing, brought her renewed international recognition. She appeared in many episodes, in almost every season of the series, for a total of 276 episodes from 1978 to 1990 (she was absent from the 1984–85 and 1990–91 seasons) and remains the only cast member to win the Emmy Award ( Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress - Drama Series ) and

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