Hello Darlin

by Todd Gold

The television star reveals his life, from his childhood as the son of legendary stage and screen star Mary Martin, to his troubles with drugs and alcohol.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Memoir, Biography Memoir

432 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Sean Peters (A Good Thriller) · Rating 4 out of 5]

On November 21, 1980, over 350 million people worldwide tuned in to find out: Who shot J.R.? In portraying the scheming, ruthless J.R. in Dallas during its run from 1978 to 1991, Larry Hagman reached a level of fame and recognition that is rare, if not unique. Now the man behind J.R. tells his own story in an autobiography that is at once rowdy and moving, self-searching and scandalous, juicy and a recovery story -- and often outrageously funny.

Though Larry Hagman is best known for his starring roles in two hugely successful television series, I Dream of Jeannie and Dallas, his life has been a star act from birth. Born into the theatrical purple as the son of the legendary Mary Martin, Larry Hagman received his first exposure to the heady world of show business through Broadway's most beloved leading lady. Following a stint in a soap opera, he got his big break with I Dream of Jeannie, and from that came instant fame and celebrity, from which he never looked back.

It was as J.R., however, in the phenomenally successful series Dallas (the second longest-running TV drama in history), that Hagman earned his greatest fame. Taking the reader behind the scenes, he shares many stories of ego clashes, off-screen relationships, and flamboyant behavior during his work on that series--and the pain he experienced as drugs and alcohol began to take their toll. The greatest drama in Larry Hagman's life came when he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and entered into a race against time to find a liver donor in 1995

Dishy, witty, frank, and unsparing of Larry Hagman himself and of others, Hello Darlin'! is, like its author, destined for international fame--a rare memoir by a show-business celebrity that not only makes us laugh, applaud, and cry, but also leaves us with respect and admiration for a man who can not only tell a good story about others, but reveal something of himself.

A very honest, well written book, straight to the point.

Used to reside next door to Burgess Meredith in the early 1980s.

Was long time friends with Carroll O'Connor and spoke at O'Connor's funeral on June 26, 2001. O'Connor gave Hagman's daughter, Heidi Hagman, a role on Archie Bunker's Place (1979), in the early 1980s.

His wife is from Sweden, and they owned a house in her old hometown Sundsvall that they visited every year, as well as homes in New York, Ojai, California and New Mexico.

The Malibu house in which he used to reside is now owned by the rock star Sting.

Great friend of Peter Fonda, often find together on their motorbikes.

His Ojai, California ranch is called Heaven.

Died in 2012 from throat cancer at the age of 81 years old. His wife Maji died 2016 aged 88 years old.

[Jason Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to four, really. Come on, Goodreads. Get on this half-star thing.

Daddy got this for me for Christmas. Normally when he goes off-list with anything it's a disaster, but he scored a hit with this one. (It's also normally a disaster if he tries to stay on list, but that's a different story). I've been an avid DALLAS fan since TNN started showing reruns when I was in college in the mid/late 90s. I even had pictures of the cast members up on my bulletin board as if they were members of the family. Friends thought I was strange, and they were probably right. Anyway, JR was my favorite character, and Larry Hagman has always intrigued me.

I normally don't care much for biographies, autobiographies, or memoirs, but I had no problem getting into this one. I had been reading a book that belonged to great-granddaddy, but one trip away from the house in my bag (for I never leave the house without a book) convinced me that I should read that book only at home lest I inadvertently tear it all to pieces, no matter how carefully I tried to pack it. I picked up this one, and the result was that I read it through to the end without going back to the other one whether I was at home or not. It's a quick and easy read.

I was surprised to find that the part of the book I enjoyed the most was the journey up to his DALLAS days. The stories about when he was poor, some shenanigans he was involved in, et cetera, are most amusing, and I even chuckled out loud a few times. Truth truly is stranger than fiction, and you can't make some of this stuff up. Hagman certainly isn't a boring character. He has some elements of JR in his character, as far as cheating the system when it's convenient, but he isn't mean or evil at all. In fact, making money was completely secondary to him and just something that kind of happened after DALLAS got started. Regardless, he was in the field of acting for the love of it primarily, and I think that's pretty cool.

He's also a champion of several causes, some of which I believe in, others not, but nobody cares about that. I think it's cool that he's passionate about something and he goes for it. I also like that he's one who speaks his mind, but also puts thought into what he's saying or doing. Even if I don't agree with all of his views, he can explain why he has those views and isn't just spouting off a bunch of mindless nonsense. (It is well thought-out nonsense.) I'm glad I read this book and got a better understanding of the man behind the image he portrayed. I loved his stories of growing up and getting started in the industry, and that made the first 200 pages a pure pleasure to read. The last 70 were fine as well, but not as great as the fun stories found earlier on. He now had money to do anything he wanted, championed a bunch of causes, talked a lot about his liver transplant, and so on. I think anyone who likes good stories would enjoy those first 200 pages, and suggest that they check this book out, and then just finish it because it's proper to do so.

[Joe Santoro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I've ever read an autobiography of a popular person before, but the library system popped this book up at my wife randomly, and, as I am a HUGE fan of JR Ewing (he was my hero growing up... what can I say, it was the 80s)... I figured it a sign and grabbed it.

As a book, it was OK... lots of fun stories, ALOT of lists and name dropping, and a fair amount of philopsphizing and promoting causes (all good ones, in this case). What struck me reading the book is that it was clear the reason Hagman was so good as JR is because he WAS JR. I've always found actors to be at their best when they're playing a character that is either their own self taken to the extreme, or what they wish they were.. in this case JR was both for Mr. Hagman.

Definitely worth a read if you're a Dallas fan.

[Jim Gleason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Transplant recipients and their families who have ever gone to the US Transplant Games (or are old enough to remember the TV shows “I Dream of Genie” and “Dallas”) know the subject of this autobiography, Larry Hagman. Ever the showman, Larry is today most famous for his bi-annual Games baring of his chest to show off the success of his liver transplant and in that story lies the value of this book in the transplant books database collection.
A fun loving read mostly about his long career and amazing life, the transplant part of the story is covered in just a very small but important part of the book. Larry Hagman’s life post-transplant is testimony to the success of today’s medical advances over the past 50 years of transplantation and in his story, that of liver transplant in particular.
It has been my personal pleasure to have met Larry many times at those US Transplant Games where he is most generous as a spokesman for those Games and the NKF. He is ever present there in presenting medals, providing entertainment on center stage and being generally available to everyone and anybody at the Games with a smile and autograph on his signature fake paper money.

see this and more than a hundred other organ donation/transplant related books - many with my personal reviews - at http://www.trioweb.org/resources/book...

[Bobby Simic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certain autobiographies are criticism-proof simply because you like the subject/author. As a big "Dallas" fan, I would imagine my love of Larry Hagman was a source of some of my enjoyment with this read, but he actually has a great number of fun stories and anecdotes that made reading it a real pleasure. (One example, on meeting Lauren Bacall, he licked her arm.)

Mr. Hagman appears to have been a one-of-a-kind character (and also played the one-of-a-kind character, J.R. Ewing, I might add) full of joy, spirit, and nuttiness. He seemed to have appreciated all that came his way, both through luck and tenacity -- family, professional success, a second-chance on life with a new liver -- and reflects on his good fortune, radiating devilish charm, warmth and sincerity. A chatty book full of tall tales by a Texas-size personality.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw that Larry Hagman died a few months ago I was sad. I remember watching Dallas as a teen and re-runs of I Dream of Jeannie as a kid. I thought I would pick up this book and see what he had to say about his life. I have come to the conclusion that Larry was a nut, but a good one, one that you wished was your friend. It was fun to read about an insider's view of show business, especially Dallas.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a self-help book for the deeply eccentric. Hagman is just as magnetic as JR, but I feel less dirty about liking him now that I have the full dirt on his enthusiasm for champagne, hot tubs, and silence.

[Xena Raider · Rating 2 out of 5]

I adored Major Nelson from Jeannie so much that he seemed perfect. It was a surprise to read that Larry Hagman was just another actor with a privileged life who did not appreciate this until later in life.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been looking forward to reading Larry Hagman's memoir from the moment I first discovered it existed. I was a very small girl when he appeared as the infamous JR Ewing in Dallas, tucked between my Gram and Gramp on their couch when I slept over their house on Friday nights. The theme music to that show is ingrained in the soundtrack of my life, though I was far too naive to understand the content of the show's story lines. (I did, however, jump on the reboot and watch every last episode of it.) That didn't stop JR Ewing from being in my personal top five best television characters of all time.

What I liked about Hello Darlin': Tall (and Absolutely True) Tales about My Life:
His personality - Forthcoming, honest, self-deprecating, likable, funny. He wasn't afraid to tell it like it was. I never wondered what he wasn't sharing. Obviously, he couldn't have shared every moment of his life (who could?), but he was quick to show his flaws in such a way that I never doubted that what you read was an accurate reflection of who he was. More than once, I laughed right out loud.
The stories that were shared - There was a ton of name-dropping but not in a pretentious way. These were merely the circles in which he traveled. And while he didn't sugarcoat or hold back on the tales, not a single one crossed a line or was mean-spirited.
The content that he chose - I truly enjoyed learning about his life and career, even beyond the parts about Dallas. A perfect bled between the personal and the professional, his memoir felt completely balanced.
Tidbits I learned that particularly touched me - The love he had for his wife. He doesn't come out and directly say so, but despite the propensity for straying among the Hollywood set, he leaves the impression he was faithful to Maj for their entire relationship. Given how honestly he revealed his misadventures and addictions, I tend to believe he would own it if he'd had any indiscretions. Instead, his deep and abiding love for her was evident in the way he spoke of her. I also thought his philosophy on signing autographs was particularly lovely.

What I didn't care for:
It was missing one thing I wish had been addressed - How was there not one mention about those iconic eyebrows, second only to Andy Rooney's?!

If I were to sum up one illustration for the type of person Mr Hagman was, it would be when he speaks about his contract negotiations while he was on Dallas. It would be easy to criticize him as being greedy, but he was underpaid compared to lesser actors, considering the notoriety and draw his character brought. The timing was an enormous risk following the world-famous "Who Shot JR?" cliffhanger, as he could have easily been written off the show, the stage set perfectly for his exit. However, his personal thoughts on the matter show a much different interpretation on his part: "Even as the studio played hardball by floating rumors about possible new JR's, I believed everything would work out. In a way, it already had. I had a house, a wife I loved, great children. Everything I'd ever wanted."

Mr. Hagman, through his memoir, was every bit as charming and charismatic as I would have expected. Occasionally eccentric and with rather different spiritual practices than my own, reading it was a delight, and he (and his magnificent eyebrows) have claimed a permanent spot on my list of "people with whom you wish you could share a meal."

[Bill F.]

Larry Hagman is one of my all-time favorite actors. J.R. Ewing has been as much an integral part of my life as has Archie Bunker - portrayed, ironically enough, by Hagman's close friend Carroll O'Connor. Hagman's portrayal of J.R. and the phenomenon that was Dallas defined the late 1970s/early 1980s for many Americans.

But, if you are looking for tall tales about the Dallas years in Hagman's autobiography, you'll have to wait until page 181 [of a 272-page book]. The 13 years of "Dallas" zip by in Hagman's story with a few stories, opinions and recaps. Surprisingly, however, despite this you'll not be disappointed in this book. In actuality, the seemingly short-shrift given to Dallas is simply the way Hagman views his life: Dallas was but one of a string of unbelievably lucky breaks received by a man who lived an extraordinarily lucky life.

Hagman doesn't hate Dallas - far from it. He is fully aware and grateful for the tens of millions of dollars it has earned him. He can still remember being so low on money that he had to rent out his home to Peter Sellers for a month [while he and his wife, Maj slept on a mattress in Peter Fonda's office]. But Hagman's life was noteworthy before Dallas and if his post-Dallas career has been quieter, his successful recovery from a liver transplant brought him continued reknown.

And one of the most enjoyable things about the book is Hagman's seemingly endless encounters with other celebrities. Granted, with a mother as famous as Mary Martin was in her day, it's not unusual that Hagman met famous people long before he himself would reach the stage or screen. Still, Hagman's eclectic list of friends over the years - in addition to Fonda, Sellers and O'Connor - include: Ray Bradbury, Marlon Brando, Art Buchwald, David Crosby, Cary Grant, Joel Grey, Dennis Hopper, Margot Kidder, Richard Lewis, Steve McQueen, Peter Marshall, Lee Marvin, Burgess Meredith, Jack Nicholson, Charlotte Rae, George C. Scott, and last but certainly not least: The Who's Keith Moon.

The book is a quick - and funny - read. Typical is a story Hagman tells of the shitty amenities the cast of Dallas dealt with - even long after it had become a hit. One of the shittier places [pun intended] was the restrooms on set. When they put in a handicapped stall, it narrowed the other stalls to the point where no one could use them. So, everyone used the handicapped stall - no one on the cast, crew or staff were handicapped. One day, however, while Hagman was in the stall doing his business, there was a sharp bang on the stall door. "Who's in there!" the voice belonging to the 'bang' queried. "I am," said Hagman. "Who are you?!" said the voice incredulously. Hagman told him it was none of his business. This really pissed the guy off. He said that he was handicapped and needed to use the stall NOW. Hagman said he'd be happy to vacate it as soon he was finished. This led the man to threaten to call security. When Hagman got out he saw a clearly pissed off man in a wheelchair. At this point, Hagman was recognizable the world over but this man didn't recognize him. "Hey asshole," the guy said as Hagman walked out. "What's your name?" Hagman replied, "Patrick Duffy. And go fuck yourself."

[Sarah Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED reading Larry Hagman's autobiography, "Hello Darlin': Tall (and Absolutely True) Tales About My Life." Before I read this novel, I did not hold a very high opinion as Larry Hagman as a person. I had grown up watching the comedic sitcom, "I Dream of Jeanie," and I liked Anthony "Tony" Nelson, all right; however, I could take him or leave him. Then, I watched "Dallas" for the very first time in my life. I was disappointed in Larry Hagman as I watched him portray oil "big wig," J. R. Ewing, I could not believe just how greedy, conniving, and underhanded that man was throughout each and every episode!!!! As a result of that experience watching the very few -- and oftentimes, very far between -- episodes of "Dallas," I began to equate Larry Hagman with J. R. Ewing. So, I convinced myself that I did not like ANYTHING AT ALL about this person or his famous persona.

That turned out to be a huge mistake, indeed. When a new revival of "Dallas" premiered last year, my mama and I started watching, and I was hooked in no time at all. Mama wanted to share the whole "Dallas" experience with me now that I had become acquainted with the newest generation of the Ewing family -- Christopher and John Ross. So, we began watching the original series from the very beginning of the first season together. Each and every episode that we have seen (Seasons 1, 2, & 3) has been GREAT and HIGHLY ADDICTIVE!!!! The more invested that I have become in the show, the more interested I became in the main members of the principal cast. Larry Hagman was the first person whom I researched, and the information I found showed me that I had been wrong about his true character this whole time,

Reading this autobiography has TRULY convinced me that Larry Hagman was NOTHING AT ALL like J. R. Ewing in real life. This book showed me what a kind, giving, compassionate, and loving person -- both on-screen and off-screen. He was COLOSSALLY loved and admired by his close friends, co-stars, and fans. I was TREMENDOUSLY touched by his honesty about all the experiences and circumstances that Larry Hagman chose to include in the story of his life. Although not all the "tall tales" were upstanding, he admitted to the mistakes that he had made, and he shared all the lessons that he had learned. R.I.P. Larry Martin Hagman. You will NEVER be forgotten!!!! Your legacy will live on forever!!!!

[Laura Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Dallas since I was a kid, watching reruns on TNN. Also, thanks to the magic of Nick@Nite, I saw I Dream of Jeannie. I have vague memories of my family grouped around the TV set in the den watching the original as my grandfather always had to see what JR was up to that week. It was such a treat to see Hagman acting right up to his passing on the TNT reboot of Dallas. So after he passed, I went looking for biographies and autobiographies on Larry Hagman. This was the first one I found at the library.

I enjoyed reading it. It's written in a simple style and the title doesn't lie. It's a series of tales (tall or not) that take you through his life. It's slightly political but more due to his involvement in numerous charities and organizations. Lots of classic celebrity stories and most people will (hopefully) recognize many of the names of people that appear in the stories. It ends shortly after his controversial liver operation (around the time the book was written). Personally, I was hoping for more Dallas stories or more in depth emotional stories. There are lots of stories about his parents and wife but almost nothing about his children or grandchildren and his interactions with them. In all fairness, there were quite a few Dallas stories. I need to find an behind the scenes/insider book on Dallas. I came away from this book feeling as though I learned some fun stories but didn't get a lot of depth. He seems to have lived a pretty happy go lucky life and was satisfied with his life, his experience, and his resume. He gave back a lot and tried to make the world a better place with his activism. So all in all, a good life. He ends with the advice that the only answer is love and to "Don't Worry. Be Happy. Feel Good." Not bad advice.

If you enjoyed the writing style of this book I'd also recommend Sammy Hagar's Red Rocker (2nd lead singer of Van Halen; singer, businessman) autobiography. The writing style is similar and both have a positive outlook on life.

[Beth Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Hello Darlin': Tall (and Absolutely True) Tales About My Life' by Larry Hagman was a riveting read. It is truly amazing how there are some people whose lives have so much intrigue and excitement, while others have trouble recalling some of the best memories they have.

This indelibly moving and telling account of Larry Hagman's life, including his youth, his friendships, his marriage and family life, his struggles, his risks, and his successes is worth every moment spent reading it.

Fans of 'Dallas' and 'I Dream of Jeannie' will learn more about what occurred behind-the-scenes, and they will be transported into how life goes for a star. It may not always be as peachy as it might seem. Hagman's life, though, from playing Major Nelson to J.R. Ewing, among a slew of other Broadway, television, and movie roles, captures the essence of how no matter what your connections may be (his mother is Broadway star Mary Martin), you still have to give it your all and work for your stardom. He did just that, and proved that he could make it on his own.

His life with wife Maj (pronounced 'My') is chronicled, as well as their relationships with other actors and friends, including Carroll O'Connor (Archie Bunker of 'All in the Family' and Chief Bill Gillespie' of 'In the Heat of the Night'), Burgess Meredith (the Penguin in the 'Batman' series and Mick in the 'Rocky' series), among a host of others, including many of the stars of 'Dallas.'

Lovers of biographies (autobiographical or not) will enjoy being able to delve deeper into Hagman's lifestyle and work ethic. A fun, engaging read that will make you think just as much as it makes you laugh.

Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen,' A Young Adult Novel

[Herb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty decent account of the life of TV's J. R. Ewing. Hagman recounts his years as a child growing up in Texas, the son of a well-known attorney and Broadway star Mary Martin. After serving in the military, Hagman worked on stage and television, hitting his mark on the TV hit "I Dream of Jeannie." After languishing away in the Hollywood vineyards, Hagman landed the role of a lifetime as the ultimate Texas villain on the megahit series "Dallas." Told with humor as well as personal insight, this is a fun as well as informative read.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a great memoir on the life of who seemed to be great man. I loved him growing up as Major Nelson and of course later as the scoundrel J.R. on Dallas. It was nice to find out how he got into the business and I also loved hearing his accounts with his mother, the iconic Mary Martin. He also seemed to have a wonderful marriage with his wife (interesting reading about their acid trips together). They were together a long time and you usually don't see two people stick together especially at the level of success that Larry Hagman had. Great read overall!

[Cari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grabbed this off the library shelf because I currently watch re-runs of "I Dream of Jeannie" at the gym every morning, and Hagman was HOT as a youth. He's lead an interesting life. I find it hard to believe he NEVER cheated on his wife, only because I think everyone in Hollywood probably does. But he's so open and honest about everything else, why wouldn't he be telling the truth about that, too? Anyway, good stuff.

[Audra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thouroughly enjoyed this book. It was like sitting down and having a discussion over coffee--very interesting. I never would have believed he was married so long and did not have one infidelity on his wife. However, he proclaimed much love towards his wife throughout the book. It showed that TRUE LOVE does conquer all...and I loved his "live laugh love " sermon of how he overcame cancer and the only thing that matters in life is love and life.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. The book was written around 2001 or so, and it gets you through his transplant - nothing after. Purchased the book after hearing of Larry Hagman's death.

The book largely talks about his early days - birth through the early 70's, with the last 1/3 to 1/4 dealing with Dallas and the Post-Dallas years.

Overall, I enjoyed the book very much - and it was a fast read.

It is a good book for those who like Larry Hagman (J.R. or otherwise) and who like autobiographies in general.

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually quite fun to read; fast and funny, while not glossing over some of the seamier aspects of show business. Well, not much glossing. This isn't one of those endless tell-all monstrosities, in which everyone comes out looking like someone you mustn't bring home to Mother, but rather a quick breezy read.

(Didn't know he was Mary Martin's son.)

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hagman's book is a nice, escapist read, colorfully told and very entertaining. Yet, this book presents values and without falling into philosophizing presents some great lessons from life and a life well lived. I suppose it helps if Peter Pan is your mother or maybe it's just being from Weatherford. Nice book. I recommend it.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was never a big fan of I Dream of Jeannie and did not watch Dallas. However, I saw a special on TV about popular series and decided Hagman looked interesting. He is! He has a delightful sense of humor and is self deprecating. His stories are concise and never mean. He is surprisingly kind and accepting regarding his childhood. He has great anecdotes. It is a very quick, easy read.

[Jo-Ann Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was such a fun book to read. Larry Hagman had a fascinating life. He does not hesitate to drop names and tell the show biz stories. He could have probably written a hundred books and I wish he would have.

[Think-On-It]

If you'd like to know what I thought of this book, please contact me directly and I'd be happy to discuss it with you.

All the best,

- TB

[Michelle "Champ" · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. Larry takes you on his wild ride through childhood, drugs, career and organ transplant.

[Liz L]

Larry Hagmann what a charactor a legand that will live on thew his legacy and fans. Sad to see a great man go

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan! I loved it! He was such a good story teller!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great, a must for any Dallas and or Jeannie fan. Larry's stories are fun and most of them quite funny. I always thought he was a nice guy and this book really showed he was.

[Olive Ostrich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was always a fan of Larry Hagman but after reading this my admiration plummeted. I found him to be egotistical and his book self indulgent, sad to say. RIP.

[Amy Zeuli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great autobiography of Larry.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a long-time Dallas fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.