Linda Gray has been playing Sue Ellen Ewing on "Dallas" since 1978! The current reboot, started in 2012, is celebrating its season 3 premiere on TNT Aug. 18 at 9 p.m. This 73-year-old television icon shared her tips for staying young and vibrant and discussed the passing of "J.R." actor Larry Hagman back in 2012.

The reboot is "Dallas" on steroids, Gray said. It's full of new and interesting people with the old ones rolled in. All the new characters really started blossoming in season 2 and the show has taken on a new life, she said.

Her character, Sue Ellen (J.R.'s wife), has been through so much in 36 years!

"How can you squeeze another drop of something out of this poor little lady? She's been through everything... These writers, I don't know where they come from, they amaze me and they keep coming up with stuff for Sue Ellen," Gray said.

The loss of Larry Hagman has been "kind of weird" she said. He was the hub and core of the show (the only character to appear in every single episode of "Dallas" since 1978).

He knew he was sick, he knew his life was ending, he passed doing what he loved to do... All of us here on the planet, we want to be surrounded by the people you love and you want to be doing what you love to do. And that's what he did. He was surrounded by family... He passed playing the character he did so well. It was the role he was meant to play -- born to play.... Yes, there's a void and vacancy there, we miss him terribly."

What is Linda Gray's secret for staying so healthy and vibrant for 73 years?

I don't have any, she said. But, she says, "I'm doing what I love to do, I think there's an energy involved that keeps you young. Also, I'm a California girl. I exercise, I drink a lot of water and I eat right. That's the best I can do. Not any magical thing. It starts with you. If you do the right things for you, it will show on the outside."

Great advice.

Listen to the full interview:

More From 98.3 KEYW