Skip Bolen/TNT

Time will tell whether or not the third season of TNT’s revival of the classic soap, “Dallas” will be a charm, but that’s no doubt what the network is hoping as it gears up to bring you a third installment of the popular soap opera!

According to Daily News America, series star Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing; ex-Stephen Logan, “The Bold and the Beautiful”) says that despite its shaky ratings, TNT picked up the drama for yet another season, and fans have a funeral to thank for the big decision: Show icon Larry Hagman (J.R. Ewing) died last November, and the show’s moving memorial episode attracted 3.6 million viewers, as opposed to its usual 2.6 million.

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Related: Television Icon Larry Hagman Has Died | TNT Releases Statement on Passing of Larry Hagman

via Press Release

Zade Rosenthal/TNT

“Television has seen many stars, but there will only be one Larry Hagman. Larry was a larger-than-life personality, both on-screen and off — a master showman and brilliant actor who brought to life a character that transcended the medium and truly captivated a nation.  Today, we mourn the loss of a friend, but remember a man who brought true greatness to his craft and a television character in J.R. Ewing that will never be forgotten.”

Related: Television Icon Larry Hagman Has Died

via Press Release

Bill Matlock/TNT

All of us at TNT are deeply saddened at the news of Larry Hagman’s passing. He was a wonderful human being and an extremely gifted actor. We will be forever thankful that a whole new generation of people got to know and appreciate Larry through his performance as J.R. Ewing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.

Mark Seliger/TNT

Larry Hagman, best known for such iconic roles as Major Tony Nelson on “I Dream of Jeannie” and J.R. Ewing on “Dallas,” has died, reports The Dallas Morning News. The actor, 81, died at 4:20 PM local time earlier today.

Reportedly, members of Hagman’s family stated the cause of death as complications from his recent battle with cancer.

A native of Texas himself, Hagman portrayed the legendary Ewing character from 1978 to 1991 on CBS and again this past summer after TNT rebooted the series for a new generation. Hagman returned along side original co-stars Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray. The second season of the TNT incarnation, which Hagman had been filming, is set to premiere in January.

“Larry was back in his beloved Dallas, re-enacting the iconic role he loved most,” said the actors family in a statement. “Larry’s family and close friends had joined him in Dallas for the Thanksgiving holiday. When he passed, he was surrounded by loved ones. It was a peaceful passing, just as he had wished for. The family requests privacy at this time.”

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In its newest issue, TV Guide Magazine has revealed some of televisions highest paid stars. As you can imagine, the list comprises of former daytime soap stars who’ve either gone on to host their own talk show or headline a top ranked primetime series, or in the case of primetime soap stars – gotten richer!

Kelly Ripa tops the list of stars with a soap opera connection as the host of the daytime talk show “Live with Kelly.” According to TV Guide, the former “All My Children” star rakes in an estimated salary of $20 million per year. Meanwhile, Michael Weatherly went from “Loving” in the 1990′s to “NCIS” agent for a cool $175,000 per episode. Mark Harmon, Weatherly’s co-star on “NCIS,” generates an estimated $500,000 per episode and is the highest paid actor (scripted). The magazine, however, does not make note as to whether that amount includes his executive producer credit or if it is based solely on appearance alone. Harmon starred in the short lived 1980′s primetime soap “Flamingo Road,” which preceded his ground breaking role in “St. Elsewhere.”

Adam Rose/FOX

“Guiding Light” turned “White Collar” star Matt Bomer makes an estimated $110,000 per episode of his uber popular USA Network series. Also hailing from “Guiding Light” is Hayden Panettierre, who will take in an estimated $75,000 an episode for her starring role in the upcoming new series “Nashville.” The show stars Connie Britton as a fading country star, but Britton will take in $100,000 per episode for her efforts.

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