Barbara Eden Remembers the Magic of 'I Dream of Jeannie'
It’s been over 50 years since the first episode of I Dream of Jeannie aired, but for Barbara Eden, it feels like just yesterday. At a special screening of Captain Marvel hosted by the Cinema Society with Synchrony Bank & FIJI Water in New York City on March 6, the legendary 87-year-old actress opened up exclusively to Closer Weekly about some of her favorite memories from the iconic series.
Barbara reminisced about how filming the pilot episode was one of her most cherished moments. She recalled the chilly conditions during the pivotal scene when Jeannie's bottle washes up on the shore of a deserted island, where astronaut Anthony "Tony" Nelson, played by the late Larry Hagman, finds himself stranded. Despite the cold, Barbara wore her signature "skimpy outfit," which likely made her feel the temperature more than her co-star.
Despite the chilly conditions, Barbara described the experience as "so exciting and wonderful." She added that the chiffon costume, which she wore throughout much of the show's five-season run, was surprisingly comfortable because it was specially designed for her. This attention to detail helped make her portrayal of Jeannie so memorable.
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Five Seasons of Magical Memories
I Dream of Jeannie aired from 1965 to 1970, consisting of 139 episodes in total. Barbara played the titular Jeannie, a 2,000-year-old genie who falls in love with and eventually marries Tony Nelson. The beloved NBC sitcom not only captivated audiences but also spawned two made-for-TV movies and an animated series, though none reached the popularity of the original. The show remains a classic, beloved by fans of all ages.
