Ken Kercheval Has Died - Now Confirmed 21/04/19

[Matthew Blaisdel]

It's just so nice to have such a community to cry and encourage each other.
I remember back in the day when i was a teenager and there was no internet, the first loss of a TV-family-member i had to go through was Barbara Stanwyck, who played Connie on "The Colbys".
I was so sad for days after she passed and noone could really understand me, because it was "just an old woman from a TV-show". But these people are so much more to me! They are in my heart! And will be forever.

 

[Sarah]

I was just thinking that @Matthew Blaisdel and I’m so grateful to have friends here who really understand what it feels like and what we go through here. They are so special and are like friends and family. Personally in my own life I don’t remember a time without the Dallas cast so it’s a big loss when anyone passes.

And I know it means an awful lot to them that they are so valued. Throughout the years they have told us that.

 

[Ray's Lady]

Focus Online (German News magazine) just posted a breaking news about Ken‘s death.

RIP Ken. 83 years is a great age though. However, it makes me sad that another Dallas cast member has passed.

 

[Ray's Lady]

It's just so nice to have such a community to cry and encourage each other.
I remember back in the day when i was a teenager and there was no internet, the first loss of a TV-family-member i had to go through was Barbara Stanwyck, who played Connie on "The Colbys".
I was so sad for days after she passed and noone could really understand me, because it was "just an old woman from a TV-show". But these people are so much more to me! They are in my heart! And will be forever.

I remember when Barbara Stanwyck died. Her death - and Anne Baxter‘s death (Hotel) - were the first losses of a TV-family member for me too.

 

[Sarah]

Irish TV station RTE reporting now too:

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.rte.ie/amp/1045497/

 

[James from London]

On balance, I think I preferred it when it wasn't true.

 

[Justine]

Aww, that's sad to hear - but also, nice to finally have confirmation - R.I.P. Ken. I think I'll watch an old Dallas episode in tribute.

 

[Payton Cross]

It just started raining heavily here in Germany, after days of sunshine. I think i'll order some Chinese food for dinner.. i just feel like it.

I'm suddenly also like to eat some Chinees food, i think i'm gonne make some Chineese food tomorrow after work, and i will make a toast to Ken Kercheval too.

 

[James from London]

I'm suddenly also like to eat some Chinees food, i think i'm gonne make some Chineese food tomorrow after work

What a good idea. I might do the same*. Be sure to reheat the leftovers. According to Cliff, "the only thing better than Chinese food is reheated Chinese food."

*Well, to be honest, I'll probably just get a takeaway. It's what Cliff would do.

 

[pd fan]

Oh I' m so sad to hear that he has died ,I liked him , all my prayers for him and his family ,I' m so sorry that all these great actors of Dallas are gone , I know is for everyone the same thing we live and we did but I have the feelings that all my childhood memories of the glory Dallas years are gone with all of them RIP dear Ken Kercheval we will never forget you

 

[Payton Cross]

What a good idea. I might do the same*. Be sure to reheat the leftovers. According to Cliff, "the only thing better than Chinese food is reheated Chinese food."

*Well, to be honest, I'll probably just get a takeaway. It's what Cliff would do.

Okay, let me know if you did eat Chinees tomorrow @James from London , I think i'll also get a takeaway Chineese meal like Cliff did, but usually when I make fresh Chinese food, I prefer to do that on my day off, i think i'll eat the leftovers Friday.

 

[Barbara Fan]

Im just in from dinner and @Karin Schill had messaged me re this

I find some of this thread very unnerving in the last couple of days and sums up all that i think is wrong with social media and speculating on is he or isnt he and its very unsettling, and dare i say it disrespectful.

Now that is has been confirmed i would like to pay tribute to a wonderful actor, under rated on Dallas and never got the same attention as other cast members. Cliff Barnes and the Barnes family were integral to the suucess of Dallas and without him it would have been a different show and he made Cliff come alive

Ken played the role so well and I loved early, angry Cliff from the early years on his vendetta against the ewing family

I think my fav scene is S1 For love or Money and the ending Hows that for playing the other mans game
I also enjoyed an insightful Cliff in S11 and his meeting in a park with Miss Ellie with a shoe box of memories will remain one of the highlights of the entire show.

I was also surprised but rather pleased that he and BBG were the closest for friends off screen and will thank him forever for the hand written 2 page letter he sent to me about Barbara - with stories about her - that meant a lot.

2 great actors who rarely had a scene together but totally nailed it

I also HATE HATE HATE How Crap, clueless Cidre totally DESTROYED the character of Cliff and the dreadful storylines he had to suffer in TNT but what do you expect from someone who never watched it first time round, she never got Cliff (well anyone really) and i hate what she did to the character. A Cliff i no longer recognised.

Im glad i got to meet him 5 times in total, x 1 at SF in 2008 and x 4 at Edinburgh and Southapmpton before and after seeing him in White Christmas and i thank him for being generous with his time.

He was my mums fav actor in Dallas and i hope that at the end of his life he wasnt in pain and didnt suffer.

My sympathies to his family and friends who knew and loved him best

RIP Ken Kercheval

 

[Rove]

Ken's death is now making NEWS here in Australia. Gee. What can I say....best if I allow youtube to sum it up for me....​

Thoughts are with his family & friends.​

 

[Payton Cross]

Thanks for this wonderful clip between Miss Ellie and Cliff @Barbara Fan, the final end almost make me cry.

 

[Rove]

great actors who rarely had a scene together but totally nailed it

And this boys and girls (those that work in the industry both in front of and behind the scenes) is how great television can be.

 

[Garry]

Charlene Tilton and Morgan Brittany have left these nice comments about Ken on the Dallas Fanzine Facebook page.

 

[Swami]

Yes, I agree - that was one of the main flaws of TNT Dallas - making Cliff into an almost demonic figure, utterly consumed with rage.

Swami

 

[Willie Oleson]

Interesting to read that he and Dustin Hoffman were roommates.

 

[Rove]

that was one of the main flaws of TNT Dallas - making Cliff into an almost demonic figure, utterly consumed with rage.

I'm trying to ignore it. I'll honour Cliff's memory by playing some classic Dallas today.

 

[Angela Channing]

Very sad news. I guess his son initially denied the news to allow him time to contact family and friends personally before it was all over the media.

I first saw Ken in one of my all time favourite films, Network, and although it was a small role he was very good in it. Along with Larry and Victoria, I thought he was the most important element that made Dallas the show it was.

Thanks for the memories Ken, you will be sadly missed.

Entertainment Weekly report on the news:

Dallas actor Ken Kercheval dies at 83