[35] Dani Lyman said Henderson fills the role "brilliantly. "[6] For Christopher, it is always "family first," much like his adoptive father Bobby Ewing. "[6] In addition to feuding over business, the two are embroiled in a love triangle with Jordana Brewster's Elena Ramos. Christopher is not completely defined by his morality, but at "his core he's a very moral and ethical guy," said Metcalfe. ", The character of John Ross is very layered. 185.116.60.11 However, his happiness is short-lived: April is killed on the honeymoon. The character appears on-screen as an infant on September 21, 1979, in the episode "Whatever Happened to Baby John?, Part 1", portrayed by Tyler Banks. Metcalfe on his portrayal of Christopher. It wound up airing for 14 seasons during its original run, with its final episode airing in the spring of 1991. Omri Katz - John Ross Ewing III Vinessa Shaw/Instagram J.R.'s son with Sue Ellen, John Ross Ewing III, was played by well-known young adult actor Omri Katz on the original Dallas. J.R. correctly suspected that Barnes and Ryland would join forces to destroy the Ewing family. When John Ross returns from England with Sue Ellen, he is jealous of his newly discovered older half-brother,James Beaumont(Sasha Mitchell). John Ross shakes Bum's hand, letting him know he understands. When Sue Ellen later rekindles her romance with Dusty Farlow (Jared Martin), John Ross goes to live with them at the Southern Cross Ranch in San Angelo, much to J.R.'s dismay. Sue Ellen Ewing: What have I done? This came after a 16-year gap in acting credits. Now hes on a mission and he tells his father, If you screw me over I will put you back in that home where you belong. Every one was his enemy. J.R. calls him, telling him that he has a plan which he claims will be his "masterpiece", but doesn't tell him what it is. J.R. calls him, telling him that he has a plan which he claims will be his "masterpiece", but doesn't tell him what it is. He's not here to tell me when I'm about to make a mistake." I know how he would say things. Fictional character in the American drama series Dallas, "Keck's Exclusives: Dallas' Next Generation", "Linda Gray Saddles Up For 'Dallas' Return", "Jesse Metcalfe, Julie Gonzalo Join Dallas Reboot", "Dallas Q&A: Jesse Metcalfe On Christopher Ewing", "Review: Dallas Revived Amid a Prime-Time Soap Comeback", "Critique: 'Knots Landing' Episode 59 'New Beginnings', "Jesse Metcalfe Spills The Beans About The TV Return Of Dallas", "Kiefer Sutherland and Jennifer Love Hewitt Not Joining New "Dallas", "Who Will Play Pam & Bobby's Son On TNT's 'Dallas'? He continued to return to the role of J.R., appearing in TV movies, the spinoff Knots Landing and the 2012 Dallasrevival. Christopher resents John Ross because he feels that his cousin has exploited the Ewing name to get anything he wants, while John Ross has continually criticized him for not being a biological Ewing. Unable to find a toy gun, Christopher takes Bobby's revolver and after some "hide and seek", he takes a shot at John Ross; he misses, only shattering a screen door. [6] "I'm actually nothing like John Ross in that kind of conniving attitude" Henderson said as he explained the differences between himself and his character. However, she escapes only to get into a drunken car accident and John Ross has to be delivered prematurely via caesarean. I need to prove my worth. [11] John Ross sincerely believes that oil is the only way which immediately pits him at odds with Christopher. Tensions also arise between the cousins due to John Ross' romance with Christopher's ex-fiance, Elena Ramos. On the day J.R. is buried, Bum shows up with a package, explaining that J.R.'s "masterpiece" was to take down the Ewings' enemies Cliff Barnes (Ken Kercheval) and Harris Ryland (Mitch Pileggi). Presley has been involved in some high-profile romances over the years she was married to Elvis Presley, and the two had daughter Lisa Marie 1968. and he would continue to play the character in spinoffs and related series over the years. After Bobby finds Jeff murdered, he and Pam travel to California to investigate the details of Kristin's life before returning to Dallas. Wondering what happened to the cast of Dallas? He also branched out a bit as an older man, landing recurring roles on shows like Desperate Housewives and Nip/Tuck. All rights reserved. John Ross Ewing III is the long-awaited son of J.R. (Larry Hagman) and Sue Ellen Ewing (Linda Gray). Hagman passed away in 2012 due to complications with leukemia. John Ross is romancing his business partner and childhood friend,Elena Ramos. See production, box office & company info. Though he would like to "confide in his mother," he is not comfortable with it. He sang in shows like Oklahoma!, where he played the lead role of Curly for a year and a half before moving to a contract with MGM. Metcalfe agreed with Curt Wagner's observation of Christopher as wanting to live up the standard set by Bobby, but being more of a realist, and knowing that good guys usually finish last. Ann and Emma are kidnapped by the cartel and John Ross rescues Emma and the mysterious cartel leader and his henchmen are arrested. [27] Being his father's son, it doesn't take him long before he nurses his broken heart after his split from Elena by jumping into bed with Pamela, "figuratively and literally. In his final scene (the final scene of the series) he asks Bum to find his sister who he had only just found out about earlier in the episode from a secret file from Emma. [17] A brokenhearted John Ross is using the debt Elena owes to his mother to manipulate her and those around him. Tilton's most recent role came in the 2019 film Starting Up Love, so she's still picking up acting roles as well. A "breakout role" for Metcalfe, Christopher is "Ambitious, environmentally-friendly, loyal and with a whole lot of heart, Jesse's Christopher is his father's son," Access Hollywood said of the character. However, Christopher is willing to play dirty if it will help his family.[18]. Actor Steve Kanaly played the role well, however, and was game to play the character again in the sequel series as well as a few of the TV movies based on the show. By the time John Ross comes home, Sue Ellen is suffering from postpartum depression and has no interest in her son. "[16] Even when John Ross is hurting, he puts on a "front" as though he's got everything under control.[17]. Before Dallas, she had small spots on Eight Is Enough and Happy Days, and her first film role came in 1978's Freaky Friday starring Jodie Foster. When his parents split again, J.R. sends him off the boarding school to spite Sue Ellen. Bobby is not happy with this development, but accepts it since the Ewing family needed to stand together against Ryland and Barnes. The Ewings rally back with some scheming of their own. Although John Ross was only a baby in earlier seasons, Katz joined Dallas in 1983 and stayed until the series ended in 1993. After an explosion on Christopher's methane rig causes Pamela to suffer a miscarriage of her twin babies, John Ross comforts her, but is reluctant to tell her that Cliff is behind the explosion that killed her babies. He had guest spots on a few popular television shows afterwards, including Freaks and Geeks and General Hospital. Presley was actually the third actor to play her, however. He was raised in Texas. Keel passed away in 2004 at the age of 85; his last role came courtesy of the 2002 film My Father's House. Instead, Howard started leaning heavily into politics. Copyright 2022 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. She then married Jeff, who fathered a prematurely-born Christopher. However, John Ross still has a few lessons to learn and J.R. returns to Southfork to teach him. He's also had a few recurring roles on several shows, including All My Children and Okavango: The Wild Frontier. In the cutthroat world of oil tycoons that the show portrayed, however, that often put him in the crosshairs. The character was portrayed by Larry Hagman from the series premiere in 1978 until his death in late 2012, and Hagman was the only actor who appeared in all 357 episodes of the original series. His parents comfort him and explain their reasons for not initially telling him the truth. Farlow first appeared in the episode, "New Beginnings" which first aired on October 29, 1982. "He goes through a lot, and stuff gets really intense" Henderson said when asked to give a preview of the season. "[14] Entertainment Weekly said the couple's wedding was a "shock," even for Dallas fans who'd become accustomed to the show's surprising plot twist in each episode. Sue Ellen had recently given birth to her son, John Ross, but his birth had complicated her life, as Sue Ellen was unsure as to whether John Ross' father was her husband, J.R. ( Larry Hagman ), or her former lover, J.R.'s enemy Cliff Barnes ( Ken Kercheval ). "[34] Jamey Giddens called Henderson the "breakout star" of the series. After Christopher learns that his mother is dead, he gains her 1/3 ownership of Barnes Global, effectively making Cliff a minority owner in his own company. [13] Henderson, who was born in the city of Dallas, but raised in Oklahoma expected the role to fit him perfectly. I am so proud of you and why in the hell are you playing J.R.s son?!?. [1], TV Source viewed Henderson's John Ross as an "arrogant playboy that's been slightly humbled by his previous mistakes," which makes him smarter about his choices. The character was first written into the series in the episode "Starting Over", which first aired on December 11, 1981. Geddes was known as a theater actor before Dallas she received Tony Award nominations for her role as Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and the starring role in Mary, Mary. However, as a couple, they have "ups and downs" because neither one is willing to allow themselves to get hurt. Christopher is born to Kristin Shepard and Jeff Farraday in Los Angeles, California. Bum reveals that he killed J.R. by his request, stating that J.R.'s last act was out of love for his family. Growing up, John Ross is very aware of how unhealthy his parents' relationship is, so he never takes much from it. A heartbroken John Ross swears revenge on them, despite their new partnership. If there was any way you could one up J.R., John Ross wants to do it. Luckily for producers of the TNT show, Dallas-born, Tulsa-bred Josh Henderson […] On the music front, Tilton's most well-known work was a European dance hit called "C'est la vie." She also appeared in Titans,an early 2000s show that clearly took some inspiration from Dallas. She was mentioned here and there throughout her absences, and she also made a few appearances on the 2012 revival series. Marta Del Sol (fling) [10] Chris Demetral stepped into the role of Christopher in 1996 for the television film, Dallas: J.R. Returns. According to Metcalfe, by the time of the 2012 series, Christopher is "completely green." John Ross is all about leaving his mark on the world and the Ewing legacy as a whole. Television wasnt the actors original goal during his younger years. For years, Dallas was one of the most buzzed-about shows on television, known for its dramatic scheming and torturously suspenseful endings. When it was announced the continuation was a go, Henderson urged his agents to get him an audition. Hes trying to keep his cool because he knows that if he flies under the radar and he can hit people unexpectedly, thatll be better for him than just going in guns blazing. Larry Hagman's J.R. Ewing made a lasting impression as arguably the most infamous villain in television history, and when it came to finding the right man to play his son, John Ross, for the "Dallas" reboot, there were some pretty big shoes to fill. He and Christopher agree to start a new company called Ewing Energies, combining oil and methane. And for me? However, the rumor was quickly proven to be false. Larry Hagmans J.R. Ewing made a lasting impression as arguably the most infamous villain in television history, and when it came to finding the right man to play his son, John Ross, for the Dallas reboot, there were some pretty big shoes to fill. John Ross marries Pamela, who had managed to become a partner in Barnes Global and gain a third of its shares. The season ends with John Ross celebrating his 50% ownership of Southfork, as well as continuing his affair with Emma despite his new marriage to Pamela. These boots are familiar to him and the way he walks and the way he talks and how he handles himself and the fact that hes a chip off the old block is not going to hurt his popularity. Brandee Cartwell (one-night stand). Now, nothings a guarantee. "I feel like I know exactly how he would respond to everything thats in his way. John Ross teases his cousin about being the baby of the family, and they have a fight. [21] John Ross disagrees with Christopher who wants the family to invest in alternative energy sources; John Ross is a staunch supporter of oil. [5], Over the years, John has had very little contact with J.R. thanks to Sue Ellen's efforts. He may be easy on the eyes, but thats really just a bonus. Allison Jones (one-night stand) However, she escapes only to get into a drunken car accident and John Ross has to be delivered prematurely via caesarean. During her pregnancy, Sue Ellen drinks heavily, forcing J.R. to have her committed to sanitarium. John Ross is officially named by his grandfatherJock. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Of his alter ego, in addition to maintaining his smarts, Metcalfe said Christopher should be "a step ahead. Miss Ellie Ewing had an interesting history on Dallasdue to some real-world situations. Rennard booked a few major movie roles as Dallas came to a close. When Kristin drowns in the Southfork pool, Jeff Farraday contacts Bobby Ewing, who secretly purchases Christopher for $25,000. Christopher does his best to emulate his adoptive father's noble ways and the Ewing family name. [22] Henderson said that John Ross is still about gaining control of the newly formed Ewing Energies, but he has to fly under the radar. He lives with his wife in California and is a watercolor artist and philanthropist. My Meema, her favorite show was Dallas, Josh explained, referring to his beloved grandmother. In 1982, Bobby and Pam adopted a boy named Christopher (Joshua Harris, originally Eric Farlow), who was the biological son of J.R.'s deceased sister-in-law, Kristin Shepard . By the time John Ross comes home, Sue Ellen is suffering from postpartum depression and has no interest in her son. [24] But he wants most in life is to "make his father proud. J.R. also shows very little interest in the child, believing John Ross is actuallyCliff Barnes's son, due to his and Sue Ellen's affair. After meeting with two agents, the very green Josh went out for his first television pilot, completely unaware of what a pilot actually was. Though his time with J.R. is cut short, John Ross takes what J.R. does teach him and decides to build on it. In 1991, John Ross moves to London with Sue Ellen and his new stepfather, Don Lockwood (Ian McShane). Every good soap opera needs a good rival, and that's where Cliff Barnes came in for Dallas. Missing his cousin greatly, Christopher visits him in London in May 1991.[6]. John Ross is devastated by his father's death and vows revenge against the person responsible. However, John Ross's biggest obstacle is living up to the legend of J.R. Ewing. She won the first season and I ended up winning the second season, which is the first time they allowed guys to audition, he told Access, referring to the group he was put in, Scene 23. Copyright 2023 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved. [16] Without Elena, John Ross has no one to keep him grounded. He faces the consequences for his actions in season 3 when Pamela finds out about his affair with Emma. [12] From 1983, the role was played solely by child actor Omri Katz, who played the character until the series' conclusion in 1991. [6] John Ross harbors some resentment towards both of his parents: towards J.R. for not having been around much when he was young, and towards Sue Ellen for having kept him tucked away in boarding schools for most of his life. [4] TV Guide likened the character to Al Gore due to his interest in green energy. . I was probably going to go back to school and try and walk on and play ball and continue that and then I got a call and they were like, A few agents want to meet you.. He faces the consequences for his actions in season 3 when Pamela finds out about his affair with Emma. His first major Hollywood role was as Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun, and he also acted in other musicals like Show Boat, Kiss Me Kate, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. This is obviously quite important with Bum saying that J.R. is still "saving his ass from the grave". [1] As the show's most famous character, J.R. has been central to many of the series' biggest storylines. Just after J.R. tells his son he's proud of him, he is shot and killed. According to Henderson, John Ross's main focus at the beginning of the season is exacting revenge on Christopher and Elena. Bobby's wife, Pamela, is thrilled they finally have a child to adopt. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. [21] During this game of one upmanship John Ross and J.R. begin to build the relationship that they never had when he was a child. It ends due to their fathers' disapproval and Pamela's decision to keep the shares of Ewing Energies she received upon her divorce, instead of turning them over to him. John Ross sees her as someone who can do his bidding for him, but he truly loves Elena. The fact that people are so excited its like the twilight for the older generation, they know everything about our characters, more about John Ross than I do, and theyre so excited and that makes us feel like what were doing is bigger than an average TV show. John Ross is devastated when J.R. blackmails him into leaving town. J.R. then enthusiastically connects with his son, whom he hopes will follow in his footsteps and run Ewing Oil. You kind of can't blame him" Henderson said of John Ross. I think hes done a terrific job with this role and I think hes going to be definitely the one to watch.. Its a really big deal for me, he said. "[4] "John Ross is the sexy bad guy you can't get enough of and you secretly root for" said Dani Lyman. On the day J.R. is buried,Bumshows up with a package, explaining that J.R.'s "masterpiece" was to take down the Ewings' enemiesCliff BarnesandHarris Ryland. [19] Access Hollywood said Metcalfe's performance in the pilot was the actor's best work to date.[4]. She returned a few years later, but was written out once again in 1990. Jeff later returns with additional documentation for Bobby concerning Kristin and Christopher. [10] According to Henderson, the character is very "determined" and understands what he wants. He may not have had all the Hollywood lingo down in those early days, but casting agents clearly recognized Josh had the passion, something he likely found from watching his grandfather, the late Baptist minister, Dr. Warren Hultgren, an associate and longtime friend of Billy Graham. John Ross Ewing III is a fictional character from the American prime time soap opera Dallas and its 2012 continuation series. After narrowly escaping a fire, John Ross becomes withdrawn, and Sue Ellen takes him to child psychologist Dr. Suzanne Lacey (Diana Douglas) against J.R.'s wishes.