US actor Larry Hagman, who became famous for his role of J.R. Ewing in the US television show Dallas, has died at the age of 81 after losing a battle with cancer, his family said.

“When he passed, he was surrounded by loved ones,” the family said in a statement. “It was a peaceful passing, just as he had wished for.

According to the statement, Hagman died late Friday afternoon at Medical City Dallas Hospital from complications of throat cancer.

No other details were given. The family has asked for privacy.

Hagman became a TV star in 1965 in the comedy series I Dream of Jeannie, in which he played an amiable astronaut whose life is plagued by a beautiful blonde portrayed by Barbara Eden. But it was not until 1977, when the soap opera Dallas came along, that his Hollywood career really took off.

Dallas told the story of a mega-rich Texas family, in which Hagman played the role of corrupt and unscrupulous millionaire J.R. Ewing, the man everyone loved to hate.

Made popular by Hagman’s trademark charisma, and JR’s menace and constant scheming, the series ran for an unprecedented 13 seasons – from 1978 to 1991 – becoming one of the highest rated TV shows in the history of the medium.

He lived in California. But since the series were set in Dallas, Hagman’s name become synonymous with Texas.

In 1992, he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, which later developed into a cancerous tumour. Three years later, he had a life-saving liver transplant.