Barbara Eden

Actress


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In her two-and-a-half-hour interview, Barbara Eden chronicles her start in television and her work on early television series including I Love Lucy. She discusses her first regular series role as "Loco Jones" on How to Marry a Millionaire. She then goes on to talk about her starring roles on I Dream of Jeannie and Harper Valley PTA. She speaks of reuniting with Larry Hagman for a six-episode stint on Dallas, and with Bill Daily in two I Dream of Jeannie reunion movies. Eden also discusses some of the many made-for-television movies she appeared in, as well as her then-current career plans. Jennifer Howard conducted the interview on April 25, 2000 in Beverly Hills, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"The most interesting person on screen is someone who's different." 

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Barbara Eden on changing her name to "Barbara Eden"
00:52
Barbara Eden on her guest appearance on the I Love Lucy episode "Country Club Dance"
02:57
Barbara Eden getting the role of "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie and her interpretation of the character
06:13
Barbara Eden on the perceived anti-feminist aspects of I Dream of Jeannie
01:27
Barbara Eden on her role in the feature film and series Harper Valley PTA
07:09
Barbara Eden on joining the cast of Dallas and reuniting with Larry Hagman
02:14
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On her early life and influences; on choosing to go to Los Angeles to start her performing career; on her first series role, in How to Marry a Millionaire
On her first series televsion role, on How to Marry a Millionaire; on her guest appearance on the I Love Lucy episode "Country Club Dance"; on guest-starring on various series; on the trajectory of her career, and on starring in the feature film "The Brass Bottle"

Chapter 2

On guest appearances on various dramatic series; on her feature film roles including "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" and working with producer Irwin Allen
On getting the role of "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie: on playing "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie
On working with Sidney Sheldon, and co-stars Larry Hagman, Bill Daily, Hayden Roarke, and others on I Dream of Jeannie
On filming the pilot of I Dream of Jeannie; on the "rules" for "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie; on the belly button "controversy"

Chapter 3

On the belly button controversy on I Dream of Jeannie; on how special effects were done and the look of the sets on I Dream of Jeannie; on a typical workweek on I Dream of Jeannie
On memorable episodes of I Dream of Jeannie; on Don Rickles and Bob Denver guest-starring on I Dream of Jeannie
On "Tony Nelson" and "Jeannie" getting married on I Dream of Jeannie, and on the end of the show; on starring in various made-for-television movies

Chapter 4

On some of her TV movie work including The Feminist and the Fuzz, The Stranger Within, Stone Street, and How to Break Up a Happy Divorce; on her role in the feature film and subsequent series Harper Valley PTA
On taking on the role of producer for made-for-television movies; on starring in Brand New Life; on joining the cast of Dallas and reuniting with Larry Hagman
On touring with Bob Hope for the Bob Hope Specials

Chapter 5

On hosting Championship Ballroom Dancing; on then-current projects; on the craft of acting
On the impact of I Dream of Jeannie; on her fan mail
On her mentor; on how she would like to be remembered
On b-roll pictures from her career- "Jeannie's" bottle from I Dream of Jeannie; with the cast of I Dream of Jeannie; as "Jeannie" in I Dream of Jeannie; on the set of Kismet; with Tim Conway; with Bob Hope
Shows

Andy Griffith Show, The

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Barbara Eden on guesting on The Andy Griffith Show
01:13

Bob Hope Specials

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Barbara Eden on touring with Bob Hope for the Bob Hope Specials
07:13

Burke's Law

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Barbara Eden on working on Burke's Law
01:22

Dallas

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Barbara Eden on joining the cast of Dallas and reuniting with Larry Hagman
02:14

Dr. Kildare

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Barbara Eden on guest-starring on the Dr. Kildare episode "If You Can't Believe the Truth"
02:12

Gunsmoke

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Barbara Eden on one of her first television jobs, on Gunsmoke
00:58

Harper Valley PTA

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Barbara Eden in her role in the feature film and subsequent series Harper Valley PTA
07:08

How to Marry a Millionaire

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Barbara Eden on her first series role, in How to Marry a Millionaire
05:54

I Dream of Jeannie

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Barbara Eden getting the role of "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie and her interpretation of the character
06:13
Barbara Eden on working with Sidney Sheldon, and co-stars Larry Hagman, Bill Daily, Hayden Roarke, and others on I Dream of Jeannie
06:11
Barbara Eden on filming the pilot of I Dream of Jeannie
03:52
Barbara Eden on the "rules" for "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie
00:39
Barbara Eden on playing "Jeannie's" sister on I Dream of Jeannie
00:40
Barbara Eden on the perceived anti-feminist aspects of I Dream of Jeannie
01:27
Barbara Eden on the controversy over showing her belly button on I Dream of Jeannie
01:09
Barbara Eden on the belly button controversy on I Dream of Jeannie
02:12
Barbara Eden on how special effects were done and the look of the sets on I Dream of Jeannie
08:01
Barbara Eden on a typical workweek on I Dream of Jeannie
01:46
Barbara Eden on memorable episodes of I Dream of Jeannie
07:52
Barbara Eden on Don Rickles and Bob Denver guest-starring on I Dream of Jeannie
01:18
Barbara Eden on "Tony Nelson" and "Jeannie" getting married on I Dream of Jeannie, and on the end of the show
02:51
Barbara Eden on the impact of I Dream of Jeannie
01:40

I Dream of Jeannie… 15 Years Later

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Barbara Eden on reprising her role as "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie… 15 Years Later and I Still Dream of Jeannie
03:03

I Love Lucy

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Barbara Eden on her guest appearance on the I Love Lucy episode "Country Club Dance"
02:57

Perry Mason

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Barbara Eden on guest-starring on Perry Mason
00:43

Rawhide

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Barbara Eden on guest-starring on Rawhide with Clint Eastwood
01:46

Route 66

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Barbara Eden on guest-starring on Route 66 and The Virginian
01:03
Topics

Censorship / Standards & Practices

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Barbara Eden on the controversy over showing her belly button on I Dream of Jeannie
01:09
Barbara Eden on the belly button controversy on I Dream of Jeannie
02:14

Characters & Catchphrases

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Barbara Eden getting the role of "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie and her interpretation of the character
06:13

Creative Influences and Inspiration

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Barbara Eden on her mentor
01:18

Gulf War

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Barbara Eden on touring with Bob Hope's USO tour in the Persian Gulf
01:34

Historic Events and Social Change

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Barbara Eden on the perceived anti-feminist aspects of I Dream of Jeannie
01:27
Barbara Eden on touring with Bob Hope's USO tour in the Persian Gulf
01:35

Pivotal Career Moments

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Barbara Eden on her mentor
01:18

Pop Culture

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Barbara Eden getting the role of "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie and her interpretation of the character
06:13

Representation on Television

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Barbara Eden on the perceived anti-feminist aspects of I Dream of Jeannie
01:27

Television Industry

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Barbara Eden on the controversy over showing her belly button on I Dream of Jeannie
01:09
Barbara Eden on the belly button controversy on I Dream of Jeannie
02:14

War

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Barbara Eden on touring with Bob Hope's USO tour in the Persian Gulf
01:35

Women

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Barbara Eden on the perceived anti-feminist aspects of I Dream of Jeannie
01:27
Professions

Actress

View Profession
Barbara Eden on one of her first TV jobs on Gunsmoke
02:54
Barbara Eden on the craft of acting
04:25

Performers

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Barbara Eden on the craft of acting
04:25
Genres

Comedy Series

View Genre
Barbara Eden on her first series role, on How to Marry a Millionaire
05:54
Barbara Eden on her guest appearance I Love Lucy
02:57
Barbara Eden on guesting on The Andy Griffith Show
01:15
Barbara Eden on starring on I Dream of Jeannie
21:20
Barbara Eden on starring as "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie
26:34
Barbara Eden in her role in the feature film and subsequent series, Harper Valley PTA
07:08

Daytime/Primetime Serials

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Barbara Eden on joining the cast of Dallas
02:14

Legal Dramas

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Barbara Eden on Burke's Law
01:22

Medical Dramas

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Barbara Eden on guest-starring Dr. Kildare
02:12

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

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Barbara Eden on touring with Bob Hope for the Bob Hope Specials
07:15

Western Series

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Barbara Eden on one of her first television jobs, on Gunsmoke
00:58
Barbara Eden on guest-starring on Rawhide
01:48
People

Irwin Allen

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Barbara Eden on starring in the Irwin Allen feature films "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" and "Five Weeks in a Balloon", and various other feature films
05:57

Lucille Ball

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Barbara Eden on her guest appearance on the I Love Lucy episode "Country Club Dance"
02:57

Bill Daily

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Barbara Eden on working with I Dream of Jeannie co-star Bill Daily as "Roger Healey"
00:41

Clint Eastwood

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Barbara Eden on guest-starring on Rawhide, starring Clint Eastwood
01:48

Andy Griffith

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Barbara Eden on guesting on The Andy Griffith Show
01:12

Larry Hagman

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Barbara Eden on working with I Dream of Jeannie co-star Larry Hagman as "Major Tony Nelson"
01:46
Barbara Eden on reuniting with Larry Hagman for Howling in the Woods, and other made-for-television movies
07:34
Barbara Eden on joining the cast of Dallas and reuniting with Larry Hagman
02:14

Bob Hope

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Barbara Eden on touring with Bob Hope for the Bob Hope Specials
07:18

Don Knotts

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Barbara Eden on guesting on The Andy Griffith Show and working with Don Knotts
01:12

Don Rickles

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Barbara Eden on Don Rickles' guest appearance on I Dream of Jeannie
00:45

Hayden Rorke

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Barbara Eden on working with Hayden Rorke as "Colonel Alfred E. Bellows" on I Dream of Jeannie
00:26

Sidney Sheldon

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Barbara Eden on working with I Dream of Jeannie creator/producer Sidney Sheldon
01:29

Aaron Spelling

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Barbara Eden on working with Aaron Spelling on Burke's Law
01:22

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