Who Is Barbara Eden?
Barbara Eden is a celebrated actress best known for her iconic role as Jeannie, the magical genie, in the classic television sitcom I Dream of Jeannie (1965-1970). Her portrayal alongside Larry Hagman captured the hearts of audiences and solidified her status as a television legend. Eden began her acting career with her film debut in Back from Eternity (1956), followed by numerous film and television appearances throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Early Life
Barbara Eden was born Barbara Jean Morehead on August 23, 1931, in Tucson, Arizona. Raised in San Francisco, she demonstrated a flair for performance early in life. Eden was a cheerleader in high school and pursued singing as a teenager, performing as a pop vocalist. She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1949.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Eden built her career with appearances in several films and television productions. Her first film role was an uncredited part in Back from Eternity (1956). She later starred in the television adaptation of How to Marry a Millionaire (1957), based on the popular movie of the same name.
Eden’s versatility as an actress was evident in her guest roles on widely beloved shows, including I Love Lucy, Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, and Route 66. She also starred in a pilot for The Barbara Eden Show, though it was never broadcast. Her work during this period paved the way for her breakout success in I Dream of Jeannie.
Barbara Eden: A Career Marked by Iconic Roles and Personal Resilience
Barbara Eden’s most renowned role came in 1965 when she was cast by writer Sidney Sheldon to star in the hit sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. This followed the enormous success of Bewitched, and Eden was chosen to play the title character, a genie in a bottle, co-starring alongside Larry Hagman as Major Anthony Nelson, a NASA astronaut. The premise of the show centered on Major Nelson discovering a mysterious pink bottle on a desert island after a crash-landing, only to release a beautiful blonde genie—Eden’s Jeannie—who believes he is her master. The pair’s adventures unfolded in Cocoa Beach, Florida, with the quirky use of Jeannie’s mystical powers often leading to comedic and unpredictable outcomes. With the addition of Major Nelson’s friend, Major Roger Healey, the trio worked to keep Jeannie’s true nature a secret. Eden’s on-screen chemistry with Hagman contributed to the show’s enduring appeal, and the sitcom, which aired from 1965 to 1970, developed a dedicated fanbase.
Following the passing of Larry Hagman in November 2012 due to cancer complications, Eden fondly recalled their first day of shooting together, remembering the cold weather on Zuma Beach and the moments that would form the foundation of their lasting friendship. “From that day for five more years, Larry was the center of so many fun, wild, shocking… and in retrospect, memorable moments that will remain in my heart forever,” she said.
Beyond I Dream of Jeannie, Eden has continued to make occasional appearances, often with a playful nod to her iconic role. In 1997, Columbia Pictures announced plans for a film adaptation of I Dream of Jeannie, where Eden was slated to appear as the new Jeannie’s aunt. Although the film was initially scheduled for release in 1998, it has yet to be produced.
Later Career
After her breakthrough role in I Dream of Jeannie, Eden took on another prominent role in the 1981 film Harper Valley P.T.A., based on the hit country song. Eden portrayed Stella Johnson, a single mother raising her teenage daughter in the small town of Harper Valley, Ohio. The film was adapted into a television series, which aired for two seasons in 1981 and 1982.
Eden also authored two memoirs—Barbara Eden: My Story, published in 1986, and Jeannie Out of the Bottle, released in 2011—offering fans a closer look at her life and career.
Personal Life
Eden’s personal life has been marked by both triumphs and tragedies. She married actor Michael Ansara in 1958, and the couple had one son, Matthew Michael Ansara, born in 1965. The marriage ended in divorce in 1974. Tragically, Matthew died of a drug overdose in 2001. Eden’s second marriage, to Charles Donald Fegert in 1977, ended in divorce in 1983. She married Jon Eicholtz in January 1991, and the couple remains together.
Barbara Eden’s enduring legacy in the entertainment world is defined by her iconic role as Jeannie, as well as her continued resilience and contributions to television and literature.