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Who played the roles of Bobby and Pam Ewing in the popular TV show, Dallas?

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PATRICK DUFFY / VICTORIA PRINCIPAL - entertainment illustration
PATRICK DUFFY / VICTORIA PRINCIPAL — entertainment

The on-screen romance between Bobby Ewing and Pamela Barnes was a central element of the long-running television drama *Dallas*. The roles of these star-crossed lovers were memorably portrayed by Patrick Duffy and Victoria Principal. Their characters' marriage in the first episode united the rival Ewing and Barnes families, setting the stage for years of conflict and drama. The chemistry between Duffy and Principal was a key component of the show's success, making their "Romeo and Juliet" storyline a fan favorite.

The actors' tenures on the show were as dramatic as their characters' storylines. Patrick Duffy left *Dallas* in 1985, and his character, Bobby, was killed off. A year later, in a now-famous television moment, Duffy returned to the show. The entire previous season was explained away as a dream his character's wife, Pam, had experienced. This "dream season" remains one of the most talked-about plot twists in television history.

Victoria Principal departed the series in 1987. Her character, Pam, was severely injured in a car accident and subsequently disappeared, leaving Dallas and her family behind. Unlike Duffy, Principal did not return to the role for the remainder of the original series or for the 2012 reboot, stating that she wanted to leave the legacy of Bobby and Pam's tragic love story undisturbed. After leaving the show, Principal focused on her production company and a successful line of skincare products.