Barbara Eden's Life in Pictures

Mar. 15, 2025

Barbara Eden.Photo: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images; Matt Baron/Shutterstock

If you’ve ever dreamed of Jeannie, chances are you’ve dreamed ofBarbara Eden. The television star gained major fame for the role of the otherworldly icon, though picked up many credits and accolades on the way.On her 93nd birthday on Aug. 23, 2024, take a look at her life in photos.

If you’ve ever dreamed of Jeannie, chances are you’ve dreamed ofBarbara Eden. The television star gained major fame for the role of the otherworldly icon, though picked up many credits and accolades on the way.

On her 93nd birthday on Aug. 23, 2024, take a look at her life in photos.

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Barbara Eden’s Life Before Acting

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Barbara Eden on T’he Andy Griffith Show'

Courtesy Everett Collection

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Barbara Eden in ‘Flaming Star’ with Elvis Presley

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Throughout the early 1960s, Eden starred in a handful of other films, includingThe Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm,Five Weeks in a BalloonandSwingin' Along. After starring inThe Yellow Canaryin 1963, she left 20th Century Fox and took on more television roles.

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Barbara Eden on ‘I Dream of Jeannie’

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The show, which centered on an astronaut (Larry Hagman) who falls in love with a genie (Eden), ran for five seasons from 1965 to 1970 and is regarded as Eden’s most notable role.

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Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman’s Friendship

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DuringI Dream of Jeannie, Eden developed a close friendship with her costar Larry Hagman, who played Anthony “Tony” Nelson.

The two later reunited onscreen in 1971’s ​​A Howling in the Woods,in which they played a married couple. She also had a guest-starring role on Hagman’s seriesDallasin 1990. In March 2006, the two reunited on stage for a production ofLove Lettersin New York.

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Barbara Eden in ‘Harper Valley PTA’

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07of 14Barbara Eden’s Theater CareerPaul Natkin/Getty ImagesShortly after starring onHarper Valley, Eden joined the national tour of the Tony Award-winning musicalWoman of the Year.In the ’90s, she performed in a handful of stage productions includingSame Time, Next Yearwith Wayne Rogers in 1991 and the national tour ofLast of the Red Hot Loverswith Don Knotts in 1993.She later starred in the national touring production of the playThe Odd Couple: The Female Versionfrom 2000 to 2004.

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Barbara Eden’s Theater Career

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Shortly after starring onHarper Valley, Eden joined the national tour of the Tony Award-winning musicalWoman of the Year.

In the ’90s, she performed in a handful of stage productions includingSame Time, Next Yearwith Wayne Rogers in 1991 and the national tour ofLast of the Red Hot Loverswith Don Knotts in 1993.

She later starred in the national touring production of the playThe Odd Couple: The Female Versionfrom 2000 to 2004.

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Barbara Eden and Michael Ansara’s Marriage

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The couple had one son together, Matthew Ansara, who tragically died of a heroin overdose on June 25, 2001.

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Barbara Eden and Charles Fegert’s Marriage

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10of 14Barbara Eden and Jon Eicholtz’s MarriageRon Galella, Ltd/Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesIn 1991, Eden married her third husband, ​​real estate developer Jon Eicholtz. The couple has been together for 30 years andcurrently resides in Beverly Hills.“I’m really lucky,“she told PEOPLE in October 2021. “I have dear friends. I have a wonderful family, a very supportive husband. Yes, I’m very happy.”

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Barbara Eden and Jon Eicholtz’s Marriage

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In 1991, Eden married her third husband, ​​real estate developer Jon Eicholtz. The couple has been together for 30 years andcurrently resides in Beverly Hills.

“I’m really lucky,“she told PEOPLE in October 2021. “I have dear friends. I have a wonderful family, a very supportive husband. Yes, I’m very happy.”

11of 14Barbara Eden’s MemoirBeck Starr/FilmMagicIn April 2011, Eden released a memoir titledJeannie Out of the Bottle. The book, which debuted at No. 14 onThe New York TimesBest Seller List, chronicled both her career and personal life, including her marriages to Michael Ansara, Charles Fegert and Jon Eicholtz, as well as the heartbreaking death of her son Matthew Ansara.

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Barbara Eden’s Memoir

Beck Starr/FilmMagic

In April 2011, Eden released a memoir titledJeannie Out of the Bottle. The book, which debuted at No. 14 onThe New York TimesBest Seller List, chronicled both her career and personal life, including her marriages to Michael Ansara, Charles Fegert and Jon Eicholtz, as well as the heartbreaking death of her son Matthew Ansara.

12of 14Barbara Eden’s Star on the Hollywood Walk of FameRon Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesOn Nov. 17, 1988, Eden was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her work in television.

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Barbara Eden’s Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

On Nov. 17, 1988, Eden was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her work in television.

13of 14Barbara Eden in ‘My Adventures with Santa’Universal StudiosEden’s most recent acting role was in the 2019 Christmas filmMy Adventures with Santa, in which she played Mrs. Claus alongsideDenise Richardsand Patrick Muldoon.

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Barbara Eden in ‘My Adventures with Santa’

Universal Studios

Eden’s most recent acting role was in the 2019 Christmas filmMy Adventures with Santa, in which she played Mrs. Claus alongsideDenise Richardsand Patrick Muldoon.

14of 14Barbara Eden Turns 92Michael CaulfieldOn her 92nd birthdayon Aug. 23, 2023, Eden told PEOPLE she planned on going to dinner with her husband and friends in Beverly Hills — with some lemon meringue pie in place of birthday cake.In 2024, Eden has had several fan expo events scheduled, with another one coming up in Orlando in September. For the actress, these affairs are precious opportunities to connect with her loyal fans, who travel from far and wide to glimpse and connect with her.“They’re the best fans in the whole world,” she told PEOPLE. “They’re very well-read. They’re good, nice people. When I get up on the big stage, I speak, and then I do the Q&A, I’m sometimes surprised. They know more than I do about my work!”

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Barbara Eden Turns 92

Michael Caulfield

On her 92nd birthdayon Aug. 23, 2023, Eden told PEOPLE she planned on going to dinner with her husband and friends in Beverly Hills — with some lemon meringue pie in place of birthday cake.

In 2024, Eden has had several fan expo events scheduled, with another one coming up in Orlando in September. For the actress, these affairs are precious opportunities to connect with her loyal fans, who travel from far and wide to glimpse and connect with her.

“They’re the best fans in the whole world,” she told PEOPLE. “They’re very well-read. They’re good, nice people. When I get up on the big stage, I speak, and then I do the Q&A, I’m sometimes surprised. They know more than I do about my work!”

source: people.com