Full Breakdown
Linda Gray Reveals Larry Hagman’s On-Set Pranks Behind “Dallas” Kisses
8/10/2026, 2:42:26 AM
Core Event
Actress Linda Gray, who played Sue Ellen Ewing on the 1980s prime-time drama *Dallas*, discussed the unconventional methods used to film her on-screen kisses with co-star Larry Hagman. Gray said Hagman routinely turned the required romantic moments into practical jokes, inserting unexpected props such as peanut butter or onions into the scenes. She described how the jokes created awkward, sometimes hazardous, moments for the cast while the camera captured a seamless romance.
Practical-Joke Culture on the Set
Gray characterized the set as a “daily prank” environment, noting that the jokes often came from Hagman himself. In one anecdote, Gray was filmed as a hospitalized Sue Ellen attached to medical tubes when Hagman entered the scene. As she pretended to be unconscious, Hagman began a melodramatic monologue, only to be interrupted by co-star Patrick Duffy, who suggested they sing an “inappropriate” song. The resulting chaos caused a tube to fly out of Gray’s nose, prompting laughter from the crew. Gray also recalled an incident in a Dallas hotel restroom where a fellow guest displayed a gun in a tiny evening bag, underscoring the cultural contrast she experienced while working in Texas.
Upcoming “Ladies of the ’80s” Auction
Ahead of a Julien’s Auctions sale titled “Ladies of the ’80s,” scheduled to go live later this month, Gray will offer a collection of *Dallas* memorabilia, including two original scripts from the “Who Shot J.R.?” storyline. She framed the auction as a way to share the show’s legacy with fans rather than merely liquidating personal items.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He had told me quite honestly that he didn’t like kissing scenes,” — Linda Gray
- “It was a daily prank, if you can imagine,” — Linda Gray
- “One woman invited me to lunch, and she wore a special outfit just for it,” — Linda Gray
- “I was not very smart, but I said, ‘Yes, I do,'” — Linda Gray
Upcoming Event Reference
The Channel 5 *Dallas* launch party, scheduled for August 21, 2012, is noted in the source material as part of the series’ promotional history.
