Miss Ellie Ewing
Encyclopedia
Eleanor "Miss Ellie" Farlow (née Southworth; formerly Ewing), is a principal character in the popular American television series Dallas
, the matriarch of the rambunctious Ewing family.
She is played by Barbara Bel Geddes
(1978–1984, 1985–1990) and also played by Donna Reed
(1984–1985) and by Molly Hagan
in the TV movie Dallas: The Early Years
(1986).
Miss Ellie, born around 1915, was the daughter of rancher Aaron Southworth, who instilled in her a fierce pride in her heritage, deep-seated courage, and a strong belief in the strength of family.
During the 1930s, Miss Ellie had been the sweetheart of Digger Barnes. However, she chose to marry Jock Ewing
, who had just started making his fortune in the oil business. When problems during the Great Depression
threatened her family's Southfork Ranch
, Miss Ellie married Jock who prevented the bank's foreclosure
on the ranch. While she initially married Jock to save Southfork, she grew to love him and they remained married for over forty years until his death in 1981. The couple had three sons, J.R.
, Gary
and Bobby
.
In 1979, Miss Ellie was diagnosed with breast cancer
and underwent a mastectomy
and fully recovered. In 1980, she learned that ranch foreman Ray Krebbs
was Jock's illegitimate son from an affair with an Army nurse named Margaret Hunter in England during World War II
. This revelation caused tension in Miss Ellie and Jock's marriage, as she felt that Jock had replaced Ray for their second son Gary
. The tension almost led Miss Ellie and Jock to divorce, but they reconciled and in 1981, they had a second honeymoon in Paris
. Miss Ellie also accepted Ray him into the family, even though she was not his biological mother.
Shortly thereafter, Jock went to South America
on a mission to help the U.S. government explore oil in the jungle
. In 1982, on his return, Jock was involved in a helicopter
crash and reported to have been killed, although his body was never recovered.
In 1983, Miss Ellie went to court to overturn the terms of Jock's will, which set up a fierce and bitter competition between two of their sons, J.R. and Bobby, for control of Ewing Oil. Miss Ellie lost the case after failing to convince the court that Jock was mentally incompetent at the time he wrote his will.
Before Jock's death, Sue Ellen Ewing left J.R., taking John Ross to live at the Southern Cross Ranch near San Angelo, TX, the home of her new boyfriend, rodeo
cowboy Dusty Farlow. In an attempt to steal back John Ross, J.R. took Miss Ellie on a visit, where she first met Dusty's father, Clayton Farlow. Later, she and Clayton settled a problem caused by J.R. involving Clayton's refineries. When Clayton helped Sue Ellen as she reconciled with J.R., he and Miss Ellie became friendly and eventually started dating. In 1984, two years after Jock's death, Miss Ellie married Clayton Farlow
, despite the attempts of J.R. and Clayton's sister, Jessica Montfort, to stop the wedding.
In 1986, a man named Wes Parmalee claimed that he was in fact her presumed late husband, Jock, who had actually survived the helicopter crash, but underwent extensive plastic surgery which drastically altered his appearance. Miss Ellie was torn between believing Wes' claims and this put a strain on her marriage to Clayton. Eventually, Wes confessed that he was a fraud.
In 1990, Miss Ellie and Clayton went on a tour of the Orient
. While overseas, Miss Ellie decided not to return to Dallas because she was tired of dealing with all the headaches and heartaches from J.R.'s and Bobby's lives. She deeded Southfork ranch to her youngest son, Bobby.
Dallas (TV series)
Dallas is an American serial drama/prime time soap opera that revolves around the Ewings, a wealthy Texas family in the oil and cattle-ranching industries. Throughout the series, Larry Hagman stars as greedy, scheming oil baron J. R. Ewing...
, the matriarch of the rambunctious Ewing family.
She is played by Barbara Bel Geddes
Barbara Bel Geddes
Barbara Bel Geddes was an American actress, artist and children's author. She is best known for her role in the television drama series Dallas as matriarch Eleanor "Miss Ellie" Ewing. Bel Geddes also starred in the original Broadway production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in the role of Maggie...
(1978–1984, 1985–1990) and also played by Donna Reed
Donna Reed
Donna Reed was an American film and television actress.With appearances in over 40 films, Reed received the 1953 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as the tramp Lorene in the war drama From Here to Eternity. She is also noted for her role in the perennial Christmas...
(1984–1985) and by Molly Hagan
Molly Hagan
-Youth:Hagan was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth and John Robert Hagan. She was raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana.-Career:She featured in the series Herman's Head which ran on Fox from 1991 to 1994...
in the TV movie Dallas: The Early Years
Dallas: The Early Years
Dallas: The Early Years was a made for television movie that first aired on March 23, 1986 on CBS during the eighth season of the TV series Dallas...
(1986).
Miss Ellie, born around 1915, was the daughter of rancher Aaron Southworth, who instilled in her a fierce pride in her heritage, deep-seated courage, and a strong belief in the strength of family.
During the 1930s, Miss Ellie had been the sweetheart of Digger Barnes. However, she chose to marry Jock Ewing
Jock Ewing
John Ross Ewing, Sr., better known as Jock Ewing, is a character in the popular American television series Dallas, played by Jim Davis and Dale Midkiff in Dallas: The Early Years...
, who had just started making his fortune in the oil business. When problems during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
threatened her family's Southfork Ranch
Southfork Ranch
Southfork Ranch is a conference and event center located near Plano, Texas; it contains the Ewing Mansion, which was the setting for the 1978 - 1991 television series Dallas. The ranch is located at 3700 Hogge Drive in Parker, Texas.-History:...
, Miss Ellie married Jock who prevented the bank's foreclosure
Foreclosure
Foreclosure is the legal process by which a mortgage lender , or other lien holder, obtains a termination of a mortgage borrower 's equitable right of redemption, either by court order or by operation of law...
on the ranch. While she initially married Jock to save Southfork, she grew to love him and they remained married for over forty years until his death in 1981. The couple had three sons, J.R.
J.R. Ewing
John Ross Ewing, Jr., more commonly known as J. R. Ewing, played by Larry Hagman, was a central, nefarious figure on the hit CBS television series Dallas . J. R...
, Gary
Gary Ewing
Garrison Arthur Ewing was a character in the CBS television series Knots Landing and Dallas. The character of Gary Ewing was played most notably by Ted Shackelford and briefly played by David Ackroyd .-Dallas:...
and Bobby
Bobby James Ewing
Robert James Ewing, commonly called Bobby Ewing, is a fictional character central to the long running TV soap opera Dallas. The youngest son of Jock and Ellie Ewing, he was portrayed by actor Patrick Duffy between 1978 and 1991, although both the actor and the character left the show briefly during...
.
In 1979, Miss Ellie was diagnosed with breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
and underwent a mastectomy
Mastectomy
Mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely. Mastectomy is usually done to treat breast cancer; in some cases, women and some men believed to be at high risk of breast cancer have the operation prophylactically, that is, to prevent cancer...
and fully recovered. In 1980, she learned that ranch foreman Ray Krebbs
Ray Krebbs
Raymond "Ray" Krebbs, was a character in the popular American television series Dallas, played by Steve Kanaly . Ray Krebbs is the illegitimate son of Texas oil baron Jock Ewing and U.S. Army nurse Margaret Hunter....
was Jock's illegitimate son from an affair with an Army nurse named Margaret Hunter in England during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. This revelation caused tension in Miss Ellie and Jock's marriage, as she felt that Jock had replaced Ray for their second son Gary
Gary Ewing
Garrison Arthur Ewing was a character in the CBS television series Knots Landing and Dallas. The character of Gary Ewing was played most notably by Ted Shackelford and briefly played by David Ackroyd .-Dallas:...
. The tension almost led Miss Ellie and Jock to divorce, but they reconciled and in 1981, they had a second honeymoon in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. Miss Ellie also accepted Ray him into the family, even though she was not his biological mother.
Shortly thereafter, Jock went to South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
on a mission to help the U.S. government explore oil in the jungle
Jungle
A Jungle is an area of land in the tropics overgrown with dense vegetation.The word jungle originates from the Sanskrit word jangala which referred to uncultivated land. Although the Sanskrit word refers to "dry land", it has been suggested that an Anglo-Indian interpretation led to its...
. In 1982, on his return, Jock was involved in a helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
crash and reported to have been killed, although his body was never recovered.
In 1983, Miss Ellie went to court to overturn the terms of Jock's will, which set up a fierce and bitter competition between two of their sons, J.R. and Bobby, for control of Ewing Oil. Miss Ellie lost the case after failing to convince the court that Jock was mentally incompetent at the time he wrote his will.
Before Jock's death, Sue Ellen Ewing left J.R., taking John Ross to live at the Southern Cross Ranch near San Angelo, TX, the home of her new boyfriend, rodeo
Rodeo
Rodeo is a competitive sport which arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain, Mexico, and later the United States, Canada, South America and Australia. It was based on the skills required of the working vaqueros and later, cowboys, in what today is the western United States,...
cowboy Dusty Farlow. In an attempt to steal back John Ross, J.R. took Miss Ellie on a visit, where she first met Dusty's father, Clayton Farlow. Later, she and Clayton settled a problem caused by J.R. involving Clayton's refineries. When Clayton helped Sue Ellen as she reconciled with J.R., he and Miss Ellie became friendly and eventually started dating. In 1984, two years after Jock's death, Miss Ellie married Clayton Farlow
Clayton Farlow
Clayton Farlow was a main character in the popular American television series Dallas, played by Howard Keel .Clayton Farlow, along with his sister Jessica, were raised on the Southern Cross Ranch in San Angelo, Texas. Jessica was wild in her teenage years and developed a serious violent mental...
, despite the attempts of J.R. and Clayton's sister, Jessica Montfort, to stop the wedding.
In 1986, a man named Wes Parmalee claimed that he was in fact her presumed late husband, Jock, who had actually survived the helicopter crash, but underwent extensive plastic surgery which drastically altered his appearance. Miss Ellie was torn between believing Wes' claims and this put a strain on her marriage to Clayton. Eventually, Wes confessed that he was a fraud.
In 1990, Miss Ellie and Clayton went on a tour of the Orient
Orient
The Orient means "the East." It is a traditional designation for anything that belongs to the Eastern world or the Far East, in relation to Europe. In English it is a metonym that means various parts of Asia.- Derivation :...
. While overseas, Miss Ellie decided not to return to Dallas because she was tired of dealing with all the headaches and heartaches from J.R.'s and Bobby's lives. She deeded Southfork ranch to her youngest son, Bobby.