Dallas Star Recalls Getting Fired Before Co-Star Got Her Rehired

Linda Gray shares chaotic behind-the-scenes story of being let go and then brought back to the show thanks to Larry Hagman's intervention.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 8:37am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered mirror reflecting a faint, glittering light, conceptually representing the chaotic and high-stakes world of television production.The behind-the-scenes drama of a beloved TV series is reflected in the fragmented, glittering textures of a shattered mirror.Dallas Today

In a throwback interview, veteran actress Linda Gray, who played Sue Ellen Ewing on the hit TV series Dallas, revealed how she was fired from the show at the end of season 8 after requesting the opportunity to direct an episode. However, her co-star Larry Hagman, who played J.R. Ewing, intervened on her behalf, telling the showrunner that if Gray was let go, he would leave the show as well. This led to Gray being rehired for the next season, despite the challenges she faced in trying to film a sunrise scene for her directorial debut.

Why it matters

The story provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the power dynamics and creative tensions that can arise on long-running television shows, especially when actors seek to expand their roles beyond just performing. Gray's experience highlights how supportive co-stars can make a difference in an actor's career, even in the face of network decisions.

The details

According to Gray, she had studied with a female director for a year and felt ready to try her hand at directing an episode of Dallas in season 8. However, the network fired her at the end of that season. When Gray got home, Hagman called her and said he would see her next season, unaware that she had been let go. Gray told Hagman she had been fired, but he then went to showrunner Leonard Katzman and said that if Gray was not brought back, he would leave the show as well. The network ultimately rehired Gray, though she still faced challenges in trying to film a sunrise scene for her directorial debut.

  • At the end of season 8 of Dallas, Linda Gray was fired from the show.
  • After being fired, Larry Hagman, Gray's co-star, called her and said he would see her next season, unaware she had been let go.
  • Hagman then went to the showrunner and said that if Gray was not brought back, he would leave the show as well.

The players

Linda Gray

The veteran actress who played Sue Ellen Ewing on the hit TV series Dallas, and who was briefly fired from the show before being rehired thanks to the intervention of her co-star.

Larry Hagman

The actor who played J.R. Ewing on Dallas, and who stepped in to get Linda Gray rehired after she was let go from the show.

Leonard Katzman

The showrunner of Dallas who ultimately rehired Linda Gray after Larry Hagman threatened to leave the show if she was not brought back.

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What they’re saying

“It was season 8, I think, and I didn't want more money. I wanted to direct one show in 52. I had studied with a wonderful female director, Lillian Schofield, and so I studied with her for a year, and she said, 'You know, you're ready if you want to go, try to see if they will let you direct.'”

— Linda Gray, Actress

“And they fired me at the end of season 8. When I got home, Larry called me, and he said, 'So I will see you next season,' and you know we had a great eight years. And so I said, well, I was just fired. I cannot come back.”

— Linda Gray, Actress

“So they acquiesced and hired me back. We need a sunrise, and we had to get the sunrise every morning. So we got our coffee, and we burn it all up, and sunrise never came.”

— Linda Gray, Actress

What’s next

There are no clear next steps related to this story, as it is a retrospective look at a past event in Linda Gray's career.

The takeaway

The story highlights the power of supportive co-stars and the challenges actors can face, even successful ones, in trying to expand their creative roles on long-running television shows. It provides a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the dynamics of the entertainment industry.