Inquiring Minds Want To Know
Where's J.R.? Chasing down the super-secret location of Larry Hagman's memorial
Miss Angie's in town, spotted at the Snider Plaza Starbucks with Jason in tow. Janine's probably applying her lip gloss and chanting a silent prayer as we speak. They'll all come together in Dallas on Saturday to commemorate Larry Hagman, the Weatherford native, legendary actor and star of Dallas, who died on November 23.
Hagman will be honored with three memorial services: a public one at SouthFork Ranch on Sunday and two private, invite-only events in Texas and Los Angeles, according to manager John Castonia.
Although the Los Angeles event will attract the largest cluster of celebri-friends, any D-list-or-above star with a Texas pedigree seems likely to attend the Dallas service.
Inquiring minds want to know one thing: Where will the Dallas event take place? Three locations are being earmarked as likely venues:
1. Weatherford. Not only is this quaint town Hagman's birthplace, but it's also where his mother, Mary Martin, is buried. However, Weatherford's only two funeral homes both say they will not be hosting a service.
"We have a chapel service going on right now, but it's not for him," says Eva Heatley, of Galbreaith-Pickard Funeral Chapel. "But it probably wouldn't be at a funeral home, because it sounds like they went ahead and did the cremation."
Hagman's manager told ET that Hagman's son Preston would be spread Hagman's ashes "all over the world," per his wishes. In any case, Weatherford will proceed with its own tribute, possibly naming a street after him.
Odds: Slim
2. A home or private facility in the Park Cities. Because there will be no viewing, a residence or church in Highland Park is a distinct possibility, as it would not only be centrally located but also would convey the right kind of "for friends only" ambience. But the two leading candidates, Highland Park Methodist and Preston Hollow Presbyterian, both denied that anything was in the works.
A private home seems conceivable, except that most of Hagman's close friends in Dallas, such as Norm Brinker or Caroline Rose Hunt, have either themselves passed away or are no longer out and about.
Odds: 50-50
3. SouthFork Ranch. It's J.R.'s home, and it's where he belongs, surrounded by Sue Ellen and Bobby and Miss Ellie and Lucy and the new Dallas cast: John Ross III and cousin Christopher and, well, the two girls, whoever they are.
It's such an obvious choice that the public event is being held there on Sunday, from 2-4 pm, when Dallas fans can come and mingle and ask each other one last time who shot J.R.
Parkies may not want to drive to East Plano, but one super-secret worker on the crew of Dallas, which is currently filming on and near the ranch, points out that most of the attendees will likely be TNT staff.
Odds: Very good
Grab your long lens. We'll meet you there.