When it came to unforgettable TV rivalries, there was no feud quite like J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) versus Cliff Barnes (Ken Kercheval) on Dallas. From the moment the show premiered in 1978, fans knew they were in for a wild ride, but it was the endless sparring between these two that kept everyone glued to the screen. While J.R. often stole the spotlight, it was Cliff who quietly became one of the most hated characters on television. And when you’re part of a show filled with betrayal and sabotage at the turn of every corner, that’s saying something .
Kercheval died of pneumonia on April 21, 2019, at the age of 83 — but he would have turned 90 years old on July 15, 2025. He was one of only two actors to appear in the original series from start to finish, along with on-screen rival Hagman. Their chemistry, rooted in deep-seated family grudges, gave the show much of its staying power — especially because Cliff wasn’t your typical villain. He was desperate, unlucky and constantly in the shadow of the Ewings, but that ended up being part of his charm. You know … the character you just love to hate.
