Exclusive: Dallas Star Ray Hagman Battles Cancer

Ray Hagman Ray Hagman continues to be identified with cancer, but doctors have told him it is a highly curable form that may not impact his return as TV baddie J.R. Ewing on TNT's approaching Dallas reboot. Hagman, who switched 80 recently, continues to be set to are accountable to focus on October 17, when production starts around the elevated primetime cleaning soap. Hagman is confirmed to look in a minimum of the very first four episodes, and it is likely he'll come in more beyond that. It's unclear whether he'll have to take any time off work while going through treatment. Associates say there is a chance that he'll have the ability to continue on the program in certain kind of capacity through the first season, which systems production in the finish of The month of january. "As J.R. I possibly could pull off anything - bribery, blackmail and infidelity," Hagman stated inside a statement. "However I got caught by cancer. I actually do want everybody to understand that it's a common and curable type of cancer. I'll be undergoing treatment while focusing on the brand new Dallas series. I possibly could not think about a much better spot to be than focusing on a show I really like, with individuals I really like. Besides, as everyone knows, you cannot keep J.R. lower!" Hagman is anticpated to be a main issue with Dallas 2., together with fellow returnees Patrick Duffy, Charlene Tilton, Linda Grey, Steve Kanaly and Ken Kercheval. (The brand new version of Dallas also stars Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo, Josh Henderson, Brenda Strong and Jesse Metcalfe.) Based on Hagman's treatment, executive producer Cynthia Cidre and her team will probably keep a number of this season's story lines fluid. Keck's Exclusives: Dallas' Next Generation TNT and Warner Bros. TV's Warner Horizon arm (which produces the show) released some pot statement: "Everybody at Warner Horizon Television, TNT and also the entire Dallas family completely supports Ray Hagman throughout this time around. We anticipate watching Ray once more work his miracle by getting among television's most fascinating, complex and questionable figures to the screen within the new Dallas series." Hagman performed TV villain J.R. Ewing throughout Dallas' original 1978 to 1991 run, too as with two later TV movies. Since that time, his credits have incorporated Puppy nip/Tuck, Orleans and also the features Nixon and Primary Colors. Younger crowd guest starred last season on Desperate Average women. Keck's Exclusives: Ray Hagman Confirmed for TNT's New Dallas Hagman has faced other health scares previously, together with a well-promoted liver transplant in 1995, getting developed cirrhosis from the liver after many years of heavy consuming. Since that time he's spoken out against smoking and meant for the nation's Kidney Foundation (as part of its organ transplant awareness program). Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now! Additional confirming by William Keck