The 'Immortal' Magic of 'I Dream of Jeannie' Star Barbara Eden: Through the Triumphs & the Tragedies

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A few years back, Barbara Eden, now 93, beloved star of the 1960s sitcom, I Dream of Jeannie, made headlines when she donned her original genie outfit for a charity benefit. Then 78-year-old, the actress still looked stunning in her pink harem pants, midriff-baring top, and high ponytail that made her a television icon 60 years ago. The audience went wild when former President Bill Clinton soon joined Eden on stage after she summoned him by crossing her arms, nodding, and giving her signature blink.

Brave Battles

Barbara Eden has always remained brave in dealing with the ups and downs of her personal and professional experiences before, during, and after she became TV’s most beloved genie.

Upbeat in public, and never one to wallow in self-pity, Eden’s brave face camouflaged a not-always-magical carpet ride behind the camera. For one, Jeannie co-star Larry Hagman was a prankster and troublesome on the set. He would urinate on stage, complain about scripts, and came to loath playing Anthony Major Nelson, Jeannie’s astronaut master-turned-spouse. When Hagman succumbed to cancer in 2012, Eden recalled only the good things, like her first day of filming with Hagman in the frigid air of Zuma Beach. For five more years, Eden said, “Larry was the center of so many fun, wild, shocking…and in retrospect, memorable moments that will remain in my heart forever."

As will her son, whose tragic death left her devastated and scarred for life.

A Closer Look

In 2001, Matthew Ansara, 35, Eden’s only child, fathered by actor Michael Ansara (her first of three husbands), was found dead in a car parked in a suburban service station in Los Angeles. The young Ansara, a fitness trainer and actor, robust and thought healthy, was discovered slumped over the steering wheel by an attendant. There was no trauma to his body and the cause of death was in question. That is until a drug overdose proved to be the cause. Furthering the trauma, Eden was helping her son ready for an intended marriage.

Through it All

Through it all, Barbara Eden, at 93 years young, continues to carry on courageously with her remarkable life and career.