'Dallas' premiered on April 2, 1978, becoming an instant hit and running for 14 seasons over 13 years
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The beloved soap opera went on to launch spinoffs, reunion movies and a TNT revival, solidifying its legacy across generations
Several of the original cast members continued acting and many have reflected on how the series changed their lives
Dallaspremiered 48 years ago on April 2, 1978.
The CBS soap opera became an instant hit and launched the careers of several of its stars — includingLarry Hagman,Ken Kercheval, Barbara Bel Geddes,Patrick DuffyandLinda Gray, among others. The show ran for 14 seasons and 13 years before it came to an end on May 3, 1991.
AlthoughDallasconcluded in 1991, it launched the spinoff seriesKnots Landing, two reunion movies and a TNT revival series. Just like its generation-spanning fanbase, the show's cast has previously looked back fondly on their time on the show.
"I think thatDallaswas like daytime soaps that were very popular andDallascame into play and it wasgigantic and it filled that same needthat people love to have a recurring story, suspense and something to look forward to," Gray told PEOPLE when the cast reunited in 2023.
While many of the show's stars reunited for the 45th anniversary in 2023, some of the cast members have died since the show ended.
Here's everything to know about where the originalDallascast is now.
Larry Hagman
While Hagman did pursue other acting opportunities after the originalDallasseries wrapped, his leading role as J.R. Ewing remained at the forefront of his career until hedied at age 81.
Hagman reprised the breakout character in the '90s TV moviesJ.R. ReturnsandWar of the Ewingsand again in 2011, when TNT rebooted the series.
Hagman announced that he'd been diagnosed with stage 2 throat cancer in 2011, over 15 years after he'd undergone a liver transplant. Hagman died on Nov. 23, 2012, due to complications from his cancer, thoughhis legacy lives onthrough his costars and friends.
Ken Kercheval
After getting his start on Broadway, Kercheval moved over to TV with cameos and soap opera roles in the mid-'60s. He made it big on the small screen when he starred onDallasas Cliff Barnes, the rival of J.R. Ewing.
Kercheval and Hagman were the only two actors who remained cast members throughoutDallas' original 13-season run. He also appeared as Cliff in all three seasons of the 2012 reboot.
Beforehis death in 2019, Kercheval made appearances in several TV movies throughout the 1990s and returned to theater in the mid-aughts. He played The General in U.K. productions ofWhite Christmasfrom 2006 to 2011.
Barbara Bel Geddes
Geddes finished her acting career playingDallasmatriarch Miss Ellie Ewing. The actress retired from screens and stages in 1990, after 12 seasons on the CBS soap, and shedied of lung cancer in 2005, at age 82.
Geddes established herself as a star long beforeDallas. She won awards for her performance in the Broadway showDeep Are the Roots. Her other theatrical hits during the 1950s and 1960s included productions likeThe Moon Is Blue,Cat on a Hot Tin RoofandMary, Mary.
In Hollywood, she earned critical acclaim for her film and TV work. Geddes was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her role in the 1948 movieI Remember Mama. She appeared in a couple of Alfred Hitchcock productions as well, including his 1958 psychological thrillerVertigoand a few episodes of his anthology seriesAlfred Hitchcock Presents.
Patrick Duffy
Patrick Duffyplayed J.R.'s older brother Bobby Ewing, who was famously (and controversially) killed off and brought back one season later. After the final season of the originalDallas, Duffy starred alongside Suzanne Somers on the sitcomStep by Step, which ran from 1991 to 1998.
The actor returned to the soap opera sphere in 2006, playing Stephen Logan onThe Bold and the Beautiful. He departed the show after five years, but did return in 2022 for atwo-episode stint, which featured his real-life girlfriendLinda Purlplaying Duffy's love interest. (Duffy's wife of over 40 years, Carlyn Rosser, died of cancer in 2017).
Beyond his TV roles and other cameos, theDallasalum also appeared in films likeYou Again(2010) andLady of the Manor(2021).
Linda Gray
After starring onDallasas Sue Ellen Ewing,Grayshared the screen with Sylvester Stallone in the 1991 comedyOscar. Then, in the early aughts, the actress took to the stage, appearing in productions ofThe Graduateon the West End and on Broadway.
Gray appeared on shows likeMelrose Place, its spinoffModels Inc. and on90210, another spinoff from the same franchise. She reprised herDallasrole in the TV moviesJ.R. ReturnsandWar of the Ewingsand the series' continuation on TNT in 2012.
More recently, Gray furthered her TV career in the Hallmark filmA Perfect Wedding,the 2023 Lifetime filmLadies of the '80s: A Divas Christmasand on the CW comedy seriesSignificant Mother. Hersoap stardomspans across the pond, too: Gray played Tabitha Maxwell-Brown in Britain's Channel 4 showHollyoaks.
Steve Kanaly
After playing Jock Ewing's illegitimate son Ray Krebbs, Steve Kanaly played Seabone Hunkle on the soapAll My Childrenfrom 1994 to 1995.
Like his costars, the actor appeared in one of theDallas-based TV movies, and he guest starred in four episodes of the reboot. His last known credit has been acting inDeVanityin 2014.
Howard Keel
Before his death in 2004, Howard Keel made a name for himself as a singer and actor, best known for his portrayal of Clayton Farlow onDallas. While on the show, Keel released more albums and continued the musical career he established in theatrical performances and MGM musicals.
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He slowed his performances down in the mid-'90s, afterDallas.However, Keel's talents were still recognized after he died of colon cancer: In 2019, the multi-hyphenate star was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame.
Victoria Principal
Victoria PrincipalleftDallasin 1987, after nine years on the series.
Three decades later, she explained to PEOPLE that she felt there was "a definitive decline" in the show's quality. AsDallascontinued without her character, Pamela Barnes, Principal went on to guest star on other shows and star in TV movies, several of which were produced by her own production company.
After the turn of the century, Principal stepped away from screens and focused on her wellness projects. She has her own line of skincare products, Principal Secret, and has written four books on the subject of personal health.
Charlene Tilton
Charlene Tiltonstarted playing Lucy Ewing when she was just a teenager. The actress was beloved by many for her darling looks — though in 2023, Tilton told PEOPLE that she"had no idea"how beautiful she was during those years of child stardom.
Post-Dallas, Tilton starred in big- and small-screen movies. She revisited the legendary soap for its reboot in 2012, though she's since diversified her character work. Today the all-grown-up starlet appears in TV movies for faith-based streaming services and cable networks, like the Hallmark Channel.
Priscilla Presley
Priscilla Presleywas the third actress to star as Jenna Krebbs inDallas.She played Bobby's ex-fiancé from 1983 through 1988 and then went on star in the threeNaked Gunfranchise films. Presley also appeared in shows likeMelrose Place,Touched by an AngelandSpin Citybefore stepping away from acting.
She has, however, continued producing pieces of entertainment to honor her late ex-husband,Elvis Presley. She worked on the 1998 dramaFinding Gracelandand was the executive producer of a postmortem album release of his archival recordings in 2015. Most recently, she co-created the Netflix animationAgent Elvis, where she voiced thecartoon version of herselfin the series. A movie on her relationship with Elvis, simply calledPriscilla, also premiered to critical acclaim in 2023.
Presley's family life has also evolved in the years since her famed soap stint. She became a grandmother of four through her only daughter,Lisa Marie Presley— whodied at age 54in January 2023.
Lisa Marie's daughterRiley Keoughwelcomed theDallasstar'sfirst great-grandchildin 2022 andsecond in early 2025.
Susan Howard
After she stopped playing Donna Krebbs onDallas, Susan Howard hostedThe 700 Clubon the Christian Broadcasting Network for one year.
Howard has been married twice, first to Charles Howerton, with whom she welcomed her daughter Lynn, and then to Calvin Chrane.
She's since left television and has actively advocated for gun rights organizations like the National Rifle Association.
Jim Davis
Jim Davis died at age 71 after playing family patriarch Jock Ewing for four years.
Beyond his starring role onDallas, the actor is remembered for his prominence in many western films and television shows from the mid-century until his death in 1981.
Audrey Landers
Audrey Landers played nightclub singer Afton Cooper from 1981 through 1984, returning briefly in 1989 for a six-episode reappearance.
She further employed her musical talents as Val Clarke in the 1985 film version ofA Chorus Line, and in 1996, she and her mother created a television series calledThe Huggabug Club.
As a singer, Landersremains activein the industry, recording albums and performing in concerts around the world.
Sheree Wilson
Sheree Wilson played April Ewing in the later seasons ofDallas, from 1986 through 1991.
She continued to nab movie roles and guest star spots on TV. On multiple occasions, Wilson has shared the screen withChuck Norris, starring in the 1994 thrillerHellbound, his seriesWalker, Texas Rangerand its TV film adaptation.
Wilson can most recently be spotted in the TV movieA Mermaid for Christmasand the biographical dramaThe Silent Natural, both of which premiered in 2019.
Cathy Podewell
Cathy Podewell appeared as J.R.'s second wife, Cally Ewing, in the final three seasons ofDallas.
She went on to guest star on television shows, including one episode of the TNT reboot's second season. Beyond her role in the 2021 horror filmReunion from Hell, Podewell has largely stepped out of the spotlight to focus on her three children.
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