You may think you know Barbara Eden, the charming actress who enchanted viewers for years with
her unforgettable role in "I Dream Of Jeannie."
After all, who could forget her bewitching presence as she popped in and out of her magical
bottle?
But, as the world recently celebrated her 92nd birthday, it turns out there's a lot
more to Barbara than meets the eye.
After many decades of silence, the magnetic actress is finally spilling the beans, confirming
long-swirling rumors, and diving deep into her colorful life and celebrated career.
In today's facts-packed video, prepare for a dizzying journey into Barbara Eden's past
that goes far beyond her genie costume and TV magic.
From untold stories of her encounters with Elvis Presley and JFK to her views on booze
and the Hollywood party scene—discover how these elements shaped her career.
Plus, we'll unveil the well-kept secrets from the set of "I Dream Of Jeannie," and finally
answer the burning question—why was the iconic show really canceled?
Join us for this revealing look into Barbara Eden's life as Facts Verse Presents: Barbara
Eden Turns 92 and Now She Confirms the Rumors
Eden’s Rise To Television Fame
Before becoming a household name as the iconic Jeannie in "I Dream of Jeannie," Barbara Eden
navigated a circuitous path to fame.
Born in Tucson, Arizona, on August 23, 1931, Eden's family soon relocated to San Francisco,
where she cultivated her love for singing and acting.
Enrolling in San Francisco's City College, Eden studied theater arts, which would ultimately
become the bedrock of her career.
In those early days, she performed in local clubs, took roles in theater productions,
and gradually began getting television roles, building both her skill set and her network
within the industry.
It was not a straight shot to the big time, though.
Eden faced a string of minor roles in television shows and movies, including westerns and dramas,
always floating on the periphery of fame.
Then came the career-defining moment that would make her a cultural icon: landing the
role of Jeannie in the TV show "I Dream of Jeannie" in 1965.
What Eden Says Ruined The Show
Between 1965 and 1970, "I Dream of Jeannie" graced the small screen for a total of 139
episodes, a period that saw massive transformations in television technology.
While the series initially debuted in black and white, later installments took advantage
of advancements and were shown in vibrant color.
Even the earliest episodes didn't miss out on this revolution—as they were eventually
retrofitted with a color palette.
The end of the "I Dream of Jeannie" era was not a simple fade to black.
While the series gained immense popularity for its daring love story between a mortal
astronaut Tony Nelson and a 2000-year-old genie named Jeannie, its cancellation in 1970
was the outcome of a specific event—the on-screen marriage of its lead characters.
Larry Hagman, who played Tony, seemed to be constantly taken aback by the dilemma of his
character, an astronaut whose career could be jeopardized at any moment by his relationship
with a mystical being.
His sidekick Roger, however, was more than eager to embrace the magical world, which
according to Hagman, created a delightful chemistry among the cast.
The show's aforementioned downward shift happened in the fifth season when Tony and Jeannie
finally tied the knot.
Barbara Eden has expressed in both recent and past interviews her immense dissatisfaction
with this writing choice, stating that the marriage disrupted the show's credibility.
In her eyes, Jeannie's non-human status juxtaposed with Tony's mortality was the very essence
of the show.
Hagman likewise echoed her sentiments, revealing in interviews that he wasn't surprised by
the show's decline in ratings after the wedding episode.
The show's creator, Sidney Sheldon, was apparently also vehemently opposed to the marriage, attributing
the series' fall from grace to this ill-advised storyline.
Despite the collective disagreement from cast and creators alike, the network remained adamant,
proceeding with the storyline that ultimately led to the show's cancellation.
So, while "I Dream of Jeannie" may be remembered for its entertaining dynamics and on-screen
chemistry, it was the loss of this very tension that turned out to be its undoing.
Tragedy After Tragedy
Barbara Eden has faced numerous trials and personal tribulations that extend far beyond
the confines of a TV set.
Her life off-screen has been marred by countless hardships that would've surely broken weaker
spirits.
In the late 90s into the early 2000s, her beloved son, Matthew Ansara, faced the debilitating
challenge of homelessness and addiction, an ordeal that gripped Eden's heart as a mother.
The pain was magnified when she received the devastating news of Matthew's untimely passing
in June of 2021, under circumstances best left unspoken but deeply mourned.
Barbara was not immune to the lure and pitfalls of Hollywood lifestyle.
She witnessed the effects of substance abuse firsthand, notably in her close friendship
with "I Dream of Jeannie" co-star Larry Hagman.
His struggles with alcoholism revealed the darker side of fame, offering Eden a cautionary
tale that she'd remember throughout her life.
Eden’s Failed Marriages
Navigating the highs and lows of matrimony seemed like a script Barbara Eden couldn't
quite perfect.
Her first walk down the aisle was with actor Michael Ansara.
While this union brought forth her son Matthew, the marriage was fraught with differences
that could not be reconciled.
Despite their love and the joys of new parenthood, the couple eventually succumbed to the pressures
of their divergent lives, leading to a heartbreaking dissolution of their marriage.
It was a pattern that sadly repeated itself.
Hope twinkled once again when Barbara tied the knot with Charles Fegert, a Chicago Sun-Times
executive.
Initially, the marital horizon looked promising, filled with shared laughter and the chatter
of fresh beginnings.
Yet, the script flipped once more, this time accelerated by Fegert's struggles with health
and wellness.
This, too, ended in separation, leaving Eden to once again pick up the pieces.
With each marriage's end, she found herself rewriting the narrative of her personal life,
searching for a story that ended with happiness ever after, instead of tearful goodbyes.
Her Mother’s Cancer Battle
Navigating the corridors of hospitals and the maze of treatments became a regular part
of Barbara Eden's life as her mother battled cancer.
The experience took a significant emotional toll on her, as she balanced her demanding
career with the heart-wrenching reality of her mother's deteriorating condition.
After a relentless fight, her mother passed away in 1986, leaving Eden with a profound
sense of loss, a void that no amount of professional success could fill.
The loss of her mother was more than just another hurdle in a life fraught with challenges;
it was a seismic event that shifted her perspective on life and its fragilities.
Her mother's passing became a harsh reminder that not even stardom could shield her from
the universal pains of human existence.
Eden and Elvis Swapped Relationship Advice
Before she conjured magic on screen in "I Dream of Jeannie," Barbara Eden had the unique
experience of working with Elvis Presley in the 1960 film "Flaming Star."
While many of Elvis' leading ladies often became romantically linked with him, Eden
reminisced that their relationship was nothing but professional.
In an interview at Christmas Con in Pasadena, she hailed the King of Rock and Roll as "a
gentleman," stating that Elvis would courteously offer her a chair on set — an act not common
among actors.
As the lights were adjusted between shots, Elvis would bring out his guitar and serenade
the cast and crew, creating a congenial atmosphere.
Their conversations often veered towards Eden's marriage at the time to Michael Ansara.
Elvis questioned how she maintained her marital equilibrium amid the glitz and glamour of
Hollywood.
She recalled telling him that they treated acting as their job, and nothing more.
Little did Eden know, Elvis was already contemplating a future with a girl he met in Germany, who
would later become Priscilla Presley.
Years later, Eden and Ansara found themselves in the audience of one of Presley's iconic
Las Vegas shows.
To Eden, that performance stands as a vivid memory of Elvis in his prime.
In fact, she once described it as the most thrilling thing she’d ever seen.
She Turned Down JFK
Barbara Eden's unexpected meeting with John F. Kennedy happened in a place where most
of us are typically just looking to pass the time: an airport.
The year was 1967 and she was shopping for candy at a New York airport when a stranger
approached, offering to introduce her to JFK.
Although Kennedy was bundled up in a heavy coat, obscuring her full view of him, the
two exchanged polite greetings.
Just as she was about to leave, Kennedy handed her a piece of paper with his contact information
and whispered for her to call him.
In one recent interview where this episode was discussed Eden candidly admitted that
she discarded the paper—a decision she now wishes she could take back.
This brief but memorable encounter adds another dimension to Eden's tapestry of experiences
with prominent men.
It's worth noting that despite the temptations that came with such encounters, Eden had her
reasons for maintaining a distance.
In JFK's case, she was married at the time, which certainly played a role in her decision
not to pursue further contact.
Moreover, Eden felt that many of these men, regardless of their own fame and stature,
didn't see her as a complete person, a sentiment that likely influenced her choice to keep
her interactions polite, yet detached.
And there you have it, folks—the incredible behind the scenes journey of Barbara Eden,
a woman who rose through the ranks of Hollywood to captivate us all as the unforgettable Jeannie.
Her life story is as fascinating as any genie's tale, complete with its highs and lows, magic
and reality.
What's your favorite Barbara Eden moment, or what do you find most inspiring about her
story?
We'd love to hear from you!
So go ahead and share your thoughts in the comments section down below.
Let's keep this conversation going!
And as always, thanks for watching!