Barbara Eden: 60 Years of Her Magical Life from 1964 to 2024

Barbara Eden then and now! From the beginning, there has been something very special about actress Barbara Eden and her connection with not only her famous TV persona on I Dream of Jeannie, but with the generations of fans who have taken her and the show to heart. Point to any other TV show that has lived on in reruns in the same way, and it’s likely you’ll find cast members who, for at least a time, were bitter and felt trapped by a role they couldn’t escape, yet were unable to benefit from it financially and hadn’t in decades.

Gilligan’s Island. Star Trek. The Brady Bunch. Batman. Even her Jeannie co-star Larry Hagman in his pre-J.R. Ewing days. Pick a show, you’ll find somebody who has fit the above description. But the other commonality is that there’s usually a time of reconciliation, where they come to grips with the reality around them, recognize that they’ve left their mark on the world, and start to fully embrace it all. But what separates Barbara from all of them — at least insofar as the outside world can tell — is that she never really went through that sort of period. Right from the start, she seemed to love the fact that we loved her and what she created. And typecasting? It never slowed her down.

Perfect example: After the series ended in 1970, she jumped into making one TV movie after another — as you’ll see below — and was able to explore the full breadth of her talents. Michael McKenna, who wrote the book The ABC Movie of the Week: Big Movies for the Small Screen, says, “It wasn’t like she veered off and started doing Lifetime movies or anything like that. She was making network TV films with pretty good casts.”

Barbara Proved the Skeptics Wrong

Which, he notes, drove home the point that she was someone who was established as a TV star, and while the public’s perception of her may have been as Jeannie, her work in those films proved that she was capable of much more. “The makers of these films,” he says, “loved the advantage of a recognizable face and that it gave them a leg up on the competition to be able to put her in different films no matter what genre it was.”

What follows is our celebration of Barbara Eden, focusing on the highlights of her career and not focusing on the personal (including her marriages and the loss of her son). Born on August 23, 1931, she began by singing in the church choir and with local bands. Just about 70 years ago she was also named Miss San Francisco and entered the Miss California pageant. From there, she scored a recurring gig on Johnny Carson’s series before he took over The Tonight Show, and she went on from there,  starring in movies, guest-starring on episodic television, and, of course, becoming a pop culture icon with I Dream of Jeannie.

More than sixty years. It feels like it’s passed with the folding of arms and the blink of her eyes.

‘The Wayward Girl’ (1957)

Barbara Eden plays a character named Molly in this drama. Before this, she had two uncredited roles in the 1956 films Back from Eternity and Bailout at 43,000. After this one, she appeared in the Jayne Mansfield and Tony Randall film, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? also released in 1957. (Republic Pictures)

‘Highway Patrol’ (1957)

Barbara guest stars on an episode of ‘Highway Patrol’ in 1957, playing Kathy O’Shea in “Hostage Copter” (Ziv Television).

‘I Love Lucy’ (1957)

Barbara plays Diana Jordan in the ‘Country Club Dance’ episode of ‘I Love Lucy’ (CBS Television Distribution). Do You Remember recently provided a behind-the-scenes look at the episode.

‘How to Marry a Millionaire’ (1957 to 1959)

Barbara’s first TV series, based on Marilyn Monroe’s film of the same name. Here she’s with co-stars Lori Nelson, and Merry Anders (Everett Collection).

‘Perry Mason’ (1957)

Barbara plays Carla Adrian in “The Case of the Angry Mourner” episode of Perry Mason (CBS Television Distribution).

‘Gunsmoke’ (1957)

“Romeo” aired on Gunsmoke in 1957 and Barbara played Judy Pierce (CBS Television Distribution).

‘Bachelor Father’ (1957)

Barbara appeared in the ‘Bentley and the Revolving Housekeepers’ episode of Bachelor Father, a series starring John Forsythe who she would reunite with in the 1990 TV movie Opposites Attract (MCA TV).

‘December Bride’ (1957)

Barbara Eden, Harry Morgan, and Dean Miller in the episode “The Other Woman” (Everett Collection).

‘Father Knows Best’ (1958)

In ‘The Rivals’ episode of Father Knows Best, which originally aired January 29, 1958, Barbara plays Marge Cobett. Here she’s seen with series star Elinor Donahue.

Barbara Marries Michael Ansara

In 1958, Barbara married actor Michael Ansara, who she would be with until their divorce in 1974 (Everett Collection).

‘The Lineup’ (1958)

Warner Anderson, Barbara, and Tom Tully in ‘The Samuel Bradford Case’ episode of this 1950 to 1960 police drama (Everett Collection).

‘A Private’s Affair’ (1959)

In A Private’s Affair, a trio of Army recruits prepare to compete on a TV talent show. Starring along with Barbara are Gary Crosby and Sal Mineo (20th Century Fox Film Corp./courtesy Everett Collection).

‘Twelve Hours to Kill’ (1960)

Someone in Witness Protection discovers the cops are working with the guy he’s testifying against. From left: Nico Minardos, Barbara Eden (20th Century Fox Film Corp./courtesy Everett Collection).

‘Flaming Star’ (1960)

It’s Elvis Presley, Barbara Eden, and Steve Forrest in this adventure set in the Old West. Barbara received positive notices for her performance (20th Century-Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection).

‘From the Terrace’ (1960)

Barbara was definitely moving up in terms of the quality of her projects, this one giving her the opportunity to work with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. (20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection).

‘Swingin’ Along’ (1961)

A couple of conmen (one played by Peter Marshall, who would become the longtime host of The Hollywood Squares) try to win a songwriting contest, and Barbara is Carol, their choice for the singer (Copyright ©20th Century-Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection).

‘All Hands on Deck’ (1961)

While commanding his Navy ship, Pat Boone gets romantically involved with Barbara Eden’s character, and (conveniently) manages to work in a couple of songs (20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection).

‘Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea’ (1961)

The underwater sci-fi adventure that would spawn the 1960s TV series of the same name. Pictured here are, sitting, Walter Pidgeon and Peter Lorre, and, standing from left: Robert Sterling, Barbara Eden (20th Century Fox Film Corp./courtesy Everett Collection).

‘The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm’ (1962)

It’s a look at the lives of the Brothers Grim, Wilhelm, and Jacob. Barbara plays the character of Greta Heinrich (MGM).

‘Five Weeks in a Balloon’ (1962)

Barbara with Andy Griffith in season two’s “The Manicurist” (Everett Collection).

‘Cain’s Hundred’ (1962)

Peter Mark Richman, Harold J. Stone, and Barbara in this crime drama’s season one episode ‘Savage In Darkness’, (Everett Collection).

Barbara Bowling, Because … Why Not?

‘Saints and Sinners’ (1962)

Barbara with series star Nick Adams in this show about New York as seen through the eyes of a newspaper staff. The episode is ‘Daddy’s Girl’ (Everett Collection).

‘The Yellow Canary’ (1963)

Barbara is a woman whose marriage with her husband is falling apart when their son is a victim of kidnapping (20th Century Fox Film Corp./Courtesy: Everett Collection).

‘Dr. Kildare’ (1963)

Barbara and Richard Chamberlain in the episode ‘If You Can’t Believe The Truth…,’ which aired in Season 3 (Everett Collection).

‘Rawhide’ (1963)

Series star Clint Eastwood with Barbara in the two-part ‘Damon’s Way’ in Season 7 (Everett Collection).

‘7 Faces of Dr. Lao’ (1964)

Tony Randall and Barbara Eden star in this fantasy adventure; Randall, of course, would go on to play Felix Unger in The Odd Couple (Everett Collection).

‘Quick, Let’s Get Married’ (1964)

In a nutshell, the plot of this one has members of a bordello helping a thief track down the buried treasure. Barbara stars alongside Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland (Everett Collection).

‘The Brass Bottle’ (1964)

Maybe Barbara is having visions of things to come in this fantasy involving a genie (Burt Ives) and reteams her with Tony Randall (Everett Collection).

‘The New Interns’ (1964)

Barbara is one of the nurses in a huge hospital, with other nurses and doctors played by Dean Jones, Telly Savalas, Michael Callan, Stefanie Powers, and Dawn Wells — who would not only play Mary Ann on Gilligan’s Island but become one of Barbara’s closest friends (Everett Collection).

‘Ride the Wild Surf’ (1964)

It’s all about romance and surfing. Pictured above, from left, are Susan Hart, Shelley Fabares, and Barbara (Everett Collection).

‘I Dream of Jeannie’ (1965 to 1970)

Barbara and Larry Hagman star in this show about … ah, we’re messing with you. If you don’t know Jeannie, odds are you wouldn’t be reading this in the first place. Perfect example of Classic TV! (Everett Collection).

The Baby! (1965)

Barbara Eden, with her and Michael Ansara’s newborn son, Matthew Ansara, August 1965 (Everett Collection).

Matthew Ansara, seen here with his parents, is about two weeks old in this photo (Everett Collection).

‘The Jerry Lewis Show’ (1967)

Barbara, seen here with Jerry Lewis, guest-starred on the NBC series during its 1967 to 1969 run (Everett Collection).

‘Kismet’ (1967)

Jose Ferrer and Barbara lead the 1967 TV movie adaptation of the musical of the same name. Set in ancient Bagdad (Barbara should feel right at home!), the intersection of commoners and kings occurs as a princess falls in love with a beggar (Everett Collection).

Madison Square Garden Special Event (1968)

An event celebrating the opening of Madison Square Garden pits Bob Hope against boxing champ Rocky Marciano, with Barbara standing by as nurse and Bing Crosby serving as a referee (EverettCollection).

‘Changing Scene’ (1970)

Barbara Eden and David Hartman are the title characters who conveniently end up in a situation where they become roommates, their individual viewpoints clashing with the others. Sounds more dramatic than it really is; it’s a comedy (ABC).

‘A Howling in the Woods’ (1971)

It’s an I Dream of Jeannie reunion (sort of) as Barbara and Larry come together as a married couple who may or may not be encountering a wolf creature in the woods (NBCUniversal).

‘The Woman Hunter’ (1972)

The play ‘Blithe Spirit’, from left: Concetta Tomei, Roger Mueller, Barbara Eden, Jane MacIver, Susan Dafoe. The show was performed at the Lincolnshire Theater in 1977.

‘Harper Valley PTA’ (1978)

Barbara is single mom Stella Johnson, who takes on an ultra-conservative small town. The film spawned the TV series of the same name (April Fools Productions/Courtesy Everett Collection).

MGM Grand Hotel Event (1978)

From left: Jane Powell, Fred MacMurray, Barbara Eden at an event for the MGM Grand.

‘The Girls in the Office’ (1979)