Barbara Stock never expected to be let go from “Dallas,” the popular show. For two seasons, she portrayed Liz Adams, a savvy government employee linked romantically to Cliff Barnes, played by Ken Kercheval, and a friend to Bobby Ewing, played by Patrick Duffy. This prime-time soap was immensely popular during the 1980s.
Stock, who initially gained fame on “CHiPs,” viewed her role on “Dallas” as a remarkable opportunity, which ended much too quickly. “When someone told me in the restroom, ‘Hey, it’s your last day!’ I realized I was being let go,” she shared, reflecting on that moment with Fox News Digital, calling it a hit to her ego. “I obviously didn’t see it coming,” she admitted.
Looking back, the signs had been there; her final episode featured scenes where she was packing her suitcase. “There didn’t seem to be any indication I wouldn’t return. But, looking back, when a character starts packing, it might not be a good sign,” she recalled. It was heart-wrenching for her as she had hoped to participate in the show’s conclusion. “Dallas,” which debuted in 1978, chronicled the Ewing family and their fierce competition for oil wealth, inspiring the spin-off “Knots Landing,” which ran from 1979 to 1993.
The show concluded in 1991.
On the positive side, Stock pointed out that having a contract ensured she still got paid, even if not appearing in every episode. “I was able to pursue other jobs, so things worked out, but I felt a bit isolated. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and I loved going to work—there were no difficult personalities on set,” she explained.
Larry Hagman, who portrayed the infamous J.R. Ewing, once mentioned that his wife thought J.R. should have sought out a new love interest when the show ended. “It would’ve been interesting if I were J.R.’s last love,” Stock mused, though she didn’t dwell on it too much—“When it’s over, it’s over; I just moved on.”
Stock fondly remembered her time with the cast. “Larry welcomed me wholeheartedly. He was kind and very down-to-earth. As I was preparing to leave, I later learned it was because they had to wrap up other characters’ storylines first,” she noted, expressing her disappointment at not completing her contract, but ultimately feeling it was for the best.
She reflected fondly on her relationships, particularly with Patrick Duffy, who she admired greatly. “I bumped into him last year at a book signing, and it was such a joy to reconnect. He’s still active in theater, living a fulfilling life,” she said. Stock also spoke of her time working with the late Florence Henderson on “Murder, She Wrote,” recalling how wonderful it was to play mother and daughter, despite their physical differences.
She also formed a deep friendship with Robert Urich, her co-star from “Spenser for Hire.” “He was incredibly supportive, and our on-screen chemistry was genuine because we truly liked each other. Initially, I was nervous meeting him, but he made me feel comfortable right away,” she reflected.
Urich, who passed away in 2002 due to cancer, left a lasting impact on Stock. “I was devastated when he died. We had a nice conversation not long before. He thought he had overcome his illness; during a positive moment, he shared that he and his wife had adopted a child. It’s heartbreaking to think about how things turned out. He was taken way too soon,” she said.
Stock stepped back from acting in the early 2000s and has no regrets about that choice. “I found my passion for design. After my son was born, my husband and I wanted to focus on family,” she explained. Balancing the demands of acting with motherhood became increasingly challenging, especially after her husband’s lengthy work hours.
“I did film a few projects after he was born, but it was tough to juggle everything. Eventually, I realized my love for design offered me the chance to be home more often. It wasn’t a hard decision to make; I’ve been content with it since,” she shared.
While she’s not sure how the industry has evolved, her advice to aspiring actors remains grounded: “Study your craft and do what it takes to land a job. There’s no need for shortcuts like compromising one’s integrity to advance.”
