Question
Actor Larry Hagman, 1983

Which Broadway legend was Larry Hagman's mother?

Last updated: May 19, 2026

Larry Hagman built J.R. Ewing into one of TV's all-time villains on "Dallas," a smirking oilman who could ruin your life over breakfast. The drawl and the cowboy hat sold the bit, but Hagman was a long way from a roughneck. His mother had four Tony Awards sitting on her shelf. Which Broadway legend was Larry Hagman's mother?

Correct Answer: Mary Martin

(Source)

Imagine starring on the number-one TV show and offering your real-life mother the chance to play your character's mother, and she turns it down. Mary Martin had a résumé that earned her the right to say no, having originated Nellie Forbush in "South Pacific," Maria von Trapp in "The Sound of Music," and the title role in "Peter Pan" (she won a Tony for all of those, by the way). Her 1955 live NBC broadcast of "Peter Pan" was watched by 65 million people. Hagman had to get shot on TV to beat those numbers.

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