Larry Hagman has revealed that his role in the upcoming reboot of Dallas will "save" him after his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
The veteran actor - who also starred in I Dream of Jeannie - will reprise his legendary role as JR Ewing in the TNT update of Dallas when it airs in the US in summer 2012.
The 79-year-old recently had to put Maj, his wife of 57 years, into a care facility when he began to struggle to look after her by himself.
He told the Daily Mail that being able to work on the series will help keep his mind off his wife's illness as well as keeping him busy.
"Her Alzheimer's hasn't yet robbed her of the knowledge of who I am," he said. "But I dread that day. It's a cruel disease."
"That's why Dallas is good for me," he added. "It made my name the first time around. Now I believe it will save me by keeping me busy and working."
