Was Cliff Barnes the Worst Character on ‘Dallas’? Vote for Your Favorite Villain
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.
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Cliff was never quite as slick or successful as J.R., and that made his losses sting even more; he always seemed just a few steps behind, whether in business, politics or love. He married into the Ewing family and even took control of Ewing Oil for a while. But in the end, it was his pride and impulsiveness that often brought him down. Still, he wasn’t all bad: his fondness for Chinese take-out and his complicated relationship with his sister Pam gave him moments of warmth and humor that fans appreciated.
Of course, Cliff wasn’t the only character on Dallas to draw strong reactions. J.R. himself was TV’s ultimate bad guy. He lied, cheated and manipulated everyone around him, and audiences loved every minute of it. Kristin Shepard, played by Mary Crosby, earned infamy when she shot J.R. after viewers were left guessing for months. Katherine Wentworth, Cliff’s own half-sister, was a master of cold-hearted sabotage, while Jeremy Wendell’s ruthless corporate moves nearly crushed the Ewings altogether.
Now tell us, who do you think is the most hated character on Dallas?
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June 2017
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