Anyone watching TV in the 1970s, or re-runs in the following decades, probably loved the popular sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie” starring Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman. In the hit TV show, Eden played a genie that had been released from a bottle when the bottle was rubbed by a handsome young astronaut (played by Hagman). By rubbing the bottle, Hagman’s character freed Jeannie from her bottle and he, therefore, became her “master,” and she was utterly devoted to him from day one. Much of the plot centered around Jeannie always being in trouble for using her powers, usually for good, but sometimes being mischievous.
When she wasn’t using her powers, she was busy trying to get “master” to fall in love with her, which he eventually did, and the two married. The show was enormously popular and ran for five seasons, with a whopping 139 episodes. She’s best known for this role, but Eden has had a long and diverse career in film, stage, and TV. Born in Tuscon, Arizona on August 23, 1931, Eden moved with her family to San Francisco, California when her parents divorced. For years, her birth year was incorrectly reported as 1934, but records show that 1931 was her actual birth year. It was common for studios to lie about an actress’s age.
“Good night”
Barbara Eden pic.twitter.com/VxHJHW5MOB
— Hello George （feel free to chat in English） (@ryochikun22) October 11, 2020
Growing up as she did in the Great Depression, Barbara Eden’s family was greatly affected by poverty. One thing her mother, Alice, did to entertain her children was to sing to them. Barbara started singing in the church choir, and later, she got gigs singing in local nightclubs, where she earned $10 a night. When she was 16 years old, she earned a spot with Actor’s Equity, and later studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music to try to improve her singing.
Look who it is! Jerry Mathers! I saw him recently at the Motion Picture Mothers Holiday Luncheon. -B #LeaveItToBeaver pic.twitter.com/ZX9UdjM1gY
— Barbara Eden (@Barbara_Eden) December 21, 2016
During this period, Eden also studied acting at the Elizabeth Holloway School of Theatre, and she graduated from high school in 1949, later studying theater at the City College of San Francisco.
oh, I could never forget Barbara Eden! #FrightClub pic.twitter.com/cNtdyl20Oi
— Kirk (@WorkWithKirk) October 1, 2020
It’s hard to believe that this legendary lady is 89 years old, and we wish her many happy returns of the day.
