Iconic 46-Year Series with 14 Seasons: Lead Actor Recalls Unrestrained Filming!

If you were a devoted viewer in the 1980s, you surely spent some time with the Ewing family, immersed in Texas oil adventures. For over a decade, “Dallas” was among the most-watched TV shows of its time and remains a classic today. Set against a backdrop of schemes and betrayals, the series chronicled the lives of a wealthy dynasty controlled by the notorious JR. Decades after the conclusion of “Dallas,” American actor Patrick Duffy, who played one of the main characters, Bobby Ewing, revisited his memories of the filming on the podcast “Keanan and Lakin Give You Déjà Vu” (via People.com).

“We shared a glass of champagne every morning.”

Among other stories, Duffy talked about his friendship with Larry Hagman, who played JR, and their first meeting, which saw Hagman arriving at the read-through dressed as a cowboy, complete with a hat and carrying two bags full of champagne bottles.

“We sat down and drank champagne even before we started reading the ‘Dallas’ pilots, to get to know each other,” Duffy recalled.

This anecdote sets the tone for what was a rather boozy shooting schedule.

“When we began working, every morning we were together on set, we would meet, usually around 6 or 7 a.m.,” Duffy shared.

“I’d arrive at MGM. We parked our cars, headed to Hagman’s trailer, popped a bottle of champagne, and shared a glass every morning to start the day.”

“He would go through three or four bottles of champagne.”

Duffy explained that unlike him, who would take it easy after the initial glass, “Haggy would continue.”

“Throughout the day, he’d go through three or four bottles of champagne while working. Then we’d break for lunch, and since they didn’t serve alcohol in the cafeteria, we’d cross the street to the Backstage Tavern, have a few drinks with a hamburger, then return for the second half of the day.”

“We’d have a little shot of tequila before the cameras stopped because we knew it wouldn’t hit until they yelled ‘Cut!’ And that was my workday with Hagman for 13 years. Those were the 80s.”

If you notice any signs of inebriation on the faces of Bobby or JR while re-watching episodes of Dallas, now you know why.

(Re)discover the trailer for the series…