The guy was an alcoholic for 5 decades, and still lived up to 81 years. He never missed a day working, never forgot his lines, in fact, most of his coworkers didn't even know about his problem. That's what drinking does for you. And Jim Fixx, the father of jogging died at 52.... So stop worrying about your weight or cholesterol level, and start drinking! Oh yes, Larry was also a heavy smoker in his younger years....And he was politically very astute: "Hagman derided President George W. Bush, a fellow Texan, before the Iraq War. At a signing for his book he described Bush as "A sad figure, not too well educated, who doesn't get out of America much. He's leading the country towards fascism"
One fact about Larry Hagman that may have aided his longevity and simply is amazing is that since his days in "I dream of Genie" he has spent one day without talking every week for the remainder of his life. He spent a 24 hour period every week where he would not speak a word for over 40 years. He was a young smoker ( 20 years ) but was among the first to advocate the dangers of smoking before the health risks were widespread, although he did publicly endorse pot smoking as a better alternative to alcohol. I understand the OP to be sarcasm, however he made a lot of money as a spokesperson endorsing a brand of beer. The idea of not speaking for an entire day for 42+ years ( 2184+ days ), has always intrigued me since I learned of his habit a few decades ago during an interview. I am sure maybe he slipped up on occasion and spoke, or answered a call from his producer while filming Dallas, but that is only guessing. I try to think of how that would work in my own life. Drinking can have beneficial aspects. The benefits of red wine, with its antioxidants and reservatrol are well known and also the cardiovascular benefits of alcohol, since many of the perks of drinking (such as increased levels of HDL cholesterol) seem to extend to people who drink beer and hard liquor. Aside from those chemically sound reasons alcohol is known to help people relax and sleep. Having a new liver (transplant ) for the last 17 years probably helped as well. He really had been in the REAL Air Force as well, indicating he might have been healthy during that time due to the militaristic emphasis on exercise, and actors are well known to exercise and do weight training as many roles depend on being attractive (like his first TV role). He may have been a troubled drinker, but he also had his share of healthy living. Drawing attention to just the negative would be unfair. I would also agree with his assessment of George W. He was not the brightest president. From IMDB - I have to admit I am mostly a fan because of his no speaking thing. Interesting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOo3UCjD0Jo 2:05 of this 1980 interview is when I first learned of his odd habit of remaining silent one day per week. He is the only person I am aware of that did something like this. He was a Kind and Generous man. Rest In Peace.
