Willard "Digger" Barnes — Dallas: The Early Years Character Profile

About Willard "Digger" Barnes

Jock Ewing's lifelong rival and friend, founder of Barnes Oil, deeply entangled in the Southworth-Ewing triangle.

Willard "Digger" Barnes — Character Profile

Alignment

Hero

Species

Human

Abilities

Ranch management, Oil exploration, Physical endurance, Loyal leadership, Strategic rivalry

• Strength: 8/10
• Intelligence: 7.5/10
• Charisma: 7/10
• Morality: 8/10
• Influence: 8.5/10

Character Facts

Played by

David Marshall Grant

Appears in

Dallas: The Early Years (1986)

Role

Protagonist

Relationships (2)

• Willard "Digger" Barnes — Narrative Feud Investigator — J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman)

  Narrative device that contextualizes the historical rivalry for modern audiences.

• Willard "Digger" Barnes — Conflict Arch Rival — Jock Ewing (Dale Midkiff)

  Central antagonistic force driving the narrative's core tension.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Dallas: The Early Years

More characters from Dallas: The Early Years

• Jock Ewing (Dale Midkiff)
• Ellie Southworth Ewing (Molly Hagan)
• Jason Ewing (David Wilson)
• Deborah Culver (Angie Bolling)
• Aaron Southworth (Hoyt Axton)
• J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman)
• Garrison Southworth (Matt Mulhern)
• Seth Foster (Bill Duke)
• Ed Porter (Geoffrey Lewis)
• Amanda Lewis Ewing (Diane Franklin)
• Dr. Ted Johnson (Marshall Thompson)