Larry Hagman knew he was close to death days before he passed away.

The 'Dallas' star lost his battle with cancer aged 81 last month and when his friend and co-star Linda Gray visited him in hospital, he told her he knew he wouldn't survive until Christmas.

She told 'Entertainment Tonight': ''He said, 'I've got two weeks to live!' We went, 'What are you talking about? Come on, we've got a scene on Monday ... you're not going anywhere. That was the last time we saw him.''

Linda insists her friend's final days were not upsetting because he had accepted his fate and knew he had lived a long and full life.

She added: ''He didn't do sad. He wanted everything to be glorious. He wasn't afraid of dying.''

Linda has previously explained the beloved actor - who was best known for playing villainous J.R. Ewing in oil drama 'Dallas' - had invited his entire family and friends to his hospital bedside in Medical City Dallas Hospital, Dallas, so he could be surrounded by loved ones on Thanksgiving (22.11.12).

She added: ''He'd gotten to speak with everyone in the family individually. Then it was like, 'OK, I'm done.' ''

Linda has also revealed Larry expected death to be like taking drugs.

She said: ''He was very open about having done LSD and he'd say, 'I'm not afraid of dying. I've gone to the other side and I know it's wonderful.' ''