Late actors George Kennedy and Larry Hagman — longtime “Dallas” foes — were good pals in real life, and George tried his best to get his hard-drinking buddy to give up booze!
But Larry — who admitted to downing five bottles of champagne a day during the show’s run — kept drinking, even after a 1995 liver transplant!
He died at 81 in November 2012 from throat cancer. Medical experts said his alcoholism and the anti-rejection drugs he took made him more prone to cancer.
PHOTOS: Angelina Jolie: Scary Skinny While Filming In Cambodia — Disturbing Pics!
George, who passed away on Feb. 28 at the age of 91, “couldn’t stand to watch what Larry was doing to himself,” a Hollywood insider told The National ENQUIRER. “He told Larry over and over that if he didn’t get off the sauce it would kill him.
“Larry always thanked George for trying to help, but said he could quit any time he wanted — and he didn’t want to!”
From 1988 to the end of “Dallas” in 1991, George played rancher Carter McKay, a rival to Larry’s scheming J.R. Ewing.
PHOTOS: Sinead O’Connor Suicide Drama
Added the source: “It was tough for George to watch Larry abuse himself. To his dying day he wished he could have gotten Larry to quit before it was too late!”
