DALLAS SOAP STAR KEN DIES AGED 83
Farewell to actor who played J.R. nemesis
DALLAS legend Ken Kercheval was yesterday described as “one of a kind” after he died at the age of 83.
For 342 episodes of the hit US soap, Kercheval played oil tycoon J.R. Ewing’s arch-nemesis Cliff Barnes.
Often asked by fans when he was “finally going to get J.R.”, he would always joke: “This Friday night.”
Frist Funeral Home in Kercheval’s hometown of Clinton, Indiana, confirmed his death but gave no further details. He reportedly died on Sunday.
Kercheval’s manager Stephany Hurkos paid tribute to the star yesterday. She said: “Ken was one of a kind.
“Great actor, loved women, very particular about his clothes, always prepared, loved the stage as well as film and
TV. He left a giant footprint for everyone to
enjoy. Goodbye, Ken...” The dad-of-five, who was married four times, appeared in Dallas, shown here on the BBC, between 1978 and 1991. He returned for a 1996 TV movie and a series reboot in 2012. At its peak in 1980, the show attracted 21.6 million British viewers.
Kercheval was originally considered for the role of ranch-hand Ray Krebbs but producers felt he was better cast as Cliff. The embittered lawyer – brother of Victoria Principal’s Pamela Ewing – was constantly feuding with J.R., played by the late Larry Hagman.
Speaking of his role in 2012, the actor said: “J.R. was coming after my ass all the time, so I always had to defend myself.
“If I did something that wasn’t right, it’s because I had to.”
Born in Wolcottville, Indiana, he majored in music and drama at the state university and went on to have a series of theatre, TV and film roles. He appeared in UK stage productions of White Christmas as recently as
January 2013.
J.R. was coming after my ass all the time KEN KERCHEVAL ON HIS TV NEMESIS J.R. EWING