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

Seen in over ninety countries, the American primetime television soap opera Dallas became a way of life for many viewers of CBS from 1978 to 1991. Featuring the wealthy and conniving Ewings, owners of Ewing Oil and Southfork Ranch, the series was wrought with familial intrigue, betrayal, wicked schemes, and torrid romances that left fans hungry for more. Dallas’ prime time prowess led it to win four Emmy awards, and it has inspired many other popular serial dramas. So how did this TV phenomenon all come together? Let’s start with the cast.

1. Bet You Didn’t Know How Stubborn Pamela Barnes Ewing Was

“I was the only person in the cast who did commercials, who was doing movies of the week, who wrote books and these all belong to me. I retained the control and ownership of my image. No one owns me,” was a fearless quote from actress Victoria Principal, who played “Pamela Barnes Ewing,” Bobby’s wife. Principal was referring to her omission of the clause in her Dallas contract that would have permitted the network to profit from her endeavors outside of the series. While she is best-known for this role, and garnered a Best Actress Golden Globe nomination for it, Principal left Dallas in 1987. She went on the great entrepreneurial success.

2. Why Season 9 Was Only ‘Just A Dream’

Dallas launched Patrick Duffy’s acting career into the stratosphere when he took on the role of younger brother “Bobby Ewing.” Surprisingly the star left the show in 1985 but quickly returned in 1986. The only problem was, Bobby had been killed off in the season Duffy left. Quick fix? That whole season was “just a dream.” Nothing to see here, another soap opera plot crisis avoided. Duffy went on to star in the show until it was cancelled and later reprized his role in the TNT remake from 2012 to 2014.

3. Sue Ellen’s Drinking Problem

A lot lush actually. How else would “Sue Ellen Ewing,” J.R.’s wife played by Linda Gray, ever have survived her husband’s schemes otherwise? Gray was the embodiment of the long-suffering wife, who could be just as crafty herself when the need arose. Otherwise she coursed through the scandalous routines that were life at Southfork Ranch like a pro, and the actress’ obvious talent shone through with every scene. Gray stayed with the show until 1989, after initially being invited as a recurring guest in the first five-episode run of the series.