Dallas was more than a television show. The smash nighttime soap opera became a cultural phenomenon, dominating the TV ratings and turning its stars into worldwide superstars.

The stars of Dallas have become almost as iconic as the characters they played on the program, which chronicled the decades-old feud between two Texas oil families, the Ewings and the Barnes.

The series launched in 1978 as a five-part miniseries focusing on the conflict arising when Pamela Barnes (Victoria Principal), an heir of the Barnes family, elopes with Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) in the first episode and moves to the Ewing family’s ranch, Southfork.

Bobby and Pam served as the golden couple on the show, providing a counterbalance to Bobby’s conniving, manipulative and malevolent older brother, J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman), along with his unfaithful, alcoholic wife, Sue Ellen (Linda Gray).

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That conflict laid the groundwork for the drama on Dallas, culminating when J.R. received his just deserts in a historic television episode. He was shot by an unidentified attacker in a season finale cliffhanger, igniting widespread “Who Shot J.R.?” speculation during the summer of 1980.

Dallas aired from 1978 to 1991 on CBS. Since its conclusion, the cast has periodically reunited for television movies, special events and even a series reboot. Additionally, many cast members have pursued successful careers on other television shows, as well as in theater and film.

Several of the stars of Dallas have died since the end of the show. Others have changed careers, and one former Dallas star has become a very notable political activist, while one minor character on the show has become the biggest star of them all.

Scroll through the gallery below to see the stars of Dallas today and get an update on what they’ve done since the show ended in 1991.

Sterling Whitaker is a Senior Writer and Senior Editor for Taste of Country. He focuses on celebrity real estate, as well as coverage of Yellowstone and related shows like 1883 and 1923. He’s interviewed cast members including Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly, Sam Elliott and Harrison Ford, and Whitaker is also known for his in-depth interviews with country legends including Don Henley, Rodney Crowell, Trace Adkins, Ronnie Milsap, Ricky Skaggs and more.

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