Who Shot J.R. and 11 Other Surprising Facts about ‘Dallas’

7. Keel Preferred Playing An Oil Tycoon, To Actually Being One

Dallas not only revitalized star Howard Keel’s acting career when he joined the cast in 1981, but his recording career as well. Starting out with cameo appearances, he was soon made a permanent cast member and stayed with the show until its end. He played “Clayton Farlow,” the aggressive and haughty oil baron who brought his own brand of manipulation into the lives of Dallas characters, and eventually became Miss Ellie’s second husband. Prior to this, Keel was a huge stage and screen star known for his rich bass-baritone singing voice. In 1980 Keel had just moved his family to Oklahoma and intended to join an oil company. Seems playing an oil tycoon onscreen suited him better.