Barbara Eden Slams Her Reported 'Feud' withBewitchedStar Elizabeth Montgomery as 'Producers' Invention'

Mar. 15, 2025

‘I Dream of Jeannie’ star Barbara Eden (left) in 1967; ‘Bewitched’ star Elizabeth Montgomery in 1970.Photo:Silver Screen Collection/Getty; ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Silver Screen Collection/Getty; ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

The Columbia lot was bustling during the mid 1960s. Not only did those two series film in the same “neighborhood,” but more notable titles of the day includingThe Flying Nun,The MonkeesandThe Partridge Familydid as well.

“I’d see her every morning. We were both pregnant together, we both had our babies around the same time,” Eden said.

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Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York on ‘Bewitched’ in 1967.Walt Disney Television via Getty

Despite popular belief, Eden said the two women “chatted a lot,” adding, “If there was any perceived rivalry, it was the producers' invention.”

TheBewitchedspecial also included a clip fromThe Flying NunstarSally Field’s 1996 appearance onThe Rosie O’Donnell Show, in which she recalled the dynamic in hair and makeup on the lot in the early mornings.

“It was a big room where everyone came every morning at their call, which was usually 6 in the morning, and you got made up with everybody. Barbara Eden was endlessly singing and I remember Elizabeth Montgomery …”

Imitating the actress grimacing, Field said Montgomery grumbled, “She doesn’t shut up!”

Larry Hagman and Barbara Eden on a 1969 episode of ‘I Dream of Jeannie’.Everett Collection

Everett Collection

The special noted that while Montgomery did have some frustrations withI Dream of Jeannie’s writers over similarities in storylines also seen onBewitched, her issues never extended to the cast of the show.

Bewitchedaired for eight seasons on ABC from 1964 to 1972. Montgomery starred as Samantha, a witch who marries Darrin (first Dick York, then Dick Sargent), a mortal man, and tries to acclimate to life as a suburban housewife.

source: people.com