Before “Dallas” made them household names, Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy were two actors with contrasting pasts and temperaments, each shaped by unique life experiences. Hagman, born in Fort Worth, Texas, carried the theatrical flair of his mother, Broadway legend Mary Martin, but chose a path defined by unpredictability and humor.
He carved out his career by rejecting conformity, embracing eccentricity, and immersing himself in the thrill of performance. Known for his wild sense of humor and larger-than-life personality, Hagman often pushed limits, both professionally and personally. Alcohol-fueled mischief and creative spontaneity were a part of his everyday rhythm.
Patrick Duffy’s path could not have been more different. Raised in a modest household in Oregon, he worked his way into acting through discipline and sheer determination. Before landing a starring role, he took on a range of jobs to stay afloat, including teaching mime and building sets. His demeanor reflected quiet strength, thoughtfulness, and a deep inner calm born out of early personal loss and grounded family values. When he was cast in “Man from Atlantis,” it gave him visibility, but it was “Dallas” that truly launched him into the public eye.
When “Dallas” debuted in 1978, it created a seismic shift in television drama. Larry Hagman’s portrayal of J.R. Ewing, cutthroat, charming, and manipulative, captivated the nation, while Patrick Duffy’s Bobby Ewing became the show’s moral compass. Their fictional conflict gripped millions, but behind the camera, there was no rivalry. What emerged instead was a bond built on mutual admiration and friendship.
On set, Hagman was a whirlwind of unpredictable antics. He would often arrive in ridiculous costumes, organize spontaneous singalongs, or prank fellow cast members to lighten the mood. He thrived on laughter and disruption. Duffy, with his steady presence and unflappable nature, responded not with irritation but with warmth. “Larry could throw the craziest thing at you, and instead of breaking down, I’d smile because it meant he was having fun,” Duffy recalled.
The friendship blossomed in the middle of that chaos. Duffy became Hagman’s anchor, a reliable and trusted confidant who appreciated his eccentricities without trying to change them. Hagman, in turn, opened his heart to Duffy. The two shared dinners, road trips, and deep conversations. “Patrick’s the brother I never had, but always needed,” Hagman told multiple interviewers.
In the 1990s, their friendship was tested when Hagman’s health began to fail. Years of heavy drinking led to a diagnosis of cirrhosis and liver cancer. In 1995, he underwent a life-saving liver transplant. During those long, uncertain days in the hospital, Duffy remained close. He visited regularly, brought books, made jokes, and sat quietly when needed. Hagman later said, “Patrick never treated me like a patient. He treated me like his friend. That meant everything.”
Their closeness extended to the “Dallas” revival in 2012. Hagman was battling cancer during filming, but he signed on with enthusiasm. Duffy stood by him every step, helping him through long shooting days and lifting his spirits when fatigue crept in. “He’d say he was fine, but I could see the strain,” Duffy shared. “So I’d slow down the scene, give him space, and he’d nod. We had that understanding.”
When Hagman passed away in November 2012, it left a void not only in the television world but in Duffy’s personal life. He honored his friend by keeping the stories alive, often reminiscing during interviews about their shared years on set, the laughter, the heartaches, and the unwavering connection. “He had a heart bigger than Texas,” Duffy once said. “He was outrageous, maddening, and completely irreplaceable.”
In an industry full of fleeting alliances, the bond between Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy stood firm as a rare example of enduring friendship shaped by respect, loyalty, and joy.