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23 Aug 2023


Barbara Eden Portrait Session

LOS ANGELES - 2016: Actress Barbara Eden poses for a portrait in 2016 in Los Angeles, California. ... [+] (Photo by Harry Langdon/Getty Images)

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But yes! Everyone’s favorite, Barbara Eden, is celebrating her 92nd birthday today. Ms. Eden, of course, is remembered as Jeannie in the comedy classic I Dream of Jeannie, which is a go to favorite for both nostalgia seekers and a new generation of fans. But one of her earlier appearances was as the sultry Diana in the 1957 episode of I Love Lucy titled “Country Club Dance.” Who could forget Eden as Diana Jordan, the attractive niece of the Ricardos’ neighbors whom Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Ethel (Vivian Vance) encourage their husbands to dance with?

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In this episode of "I Love Lucy" titled "Country Club Dance", Barbara Eden as sexpot Diana Jordan ... [+] sets her sights on Desi Arnaz as Ricky Ricardo.

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In addition to I Love Lucy, Barbara Eden began on television with occasional appearances on half-hour variety series The Johnny Carson Show in 1955 and guest spots on series like The Millionaire, Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, Bachelor Father, and Father Knows Best.

I Dream of Jeannie was actually not Eden’s first regularly scheduled TV role. From 1957 to 1959, she appeared in the first-run syndicated sitcom How to Marry A Millionaire, the tale of three young women who move to the big city in search of wealthy men as potential husbands. The two-season series was based on the 1953 movie of the same name, which starred Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable.

In addition to her next set of guest-starring roles on TV series like The Andy Griffith Show, Dr. Kildare, Route 66, The Virginian, Rawhide and Burke’s Law, she made her mark on the big screen in movies like Swingin’ Along, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Brass Bottle, The New Interns and opposite Elvis Presley in Flaming Star).

Barbara Eden And Elvis Presley In 'Flaming Star'

Barbara Eden and Elvis Presley in publicity portrait for the film 'Flaming Star', 1960. (Photo by ... [+] 20th Century-Fox/Getty Images)

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Michael Callan And Barbara Eden In 'The New Interns'

Michael Callan with cast talking to Barbara Eden in a scene from the film 'The New Interns', 1964. ... [+] (Photo by Columbia Pictures/Getty Images)

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In 1965, Eden was cast in her career-changing role on I Dream of Jeannie. Not only did Eden play the blonde bombshell in the series, she acted as Jeannie's wicked twin sister — also named Jeannie. It ran for five seasons.

I Dream Of Jeannie

Barbara Eden in costume sitting on a multi-coloured pile of cushions in a publicity portrait for 'I ... [+] Dream of Jeannie', circa 1967. The sitcom starred Eden as 'Jeannie'. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

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Eden would later appear opposite her I Dream of Jeannie co-star Larry Hagman in TV movie A Howling in the Woods in 1971, and on the original Dallas for five episodes in the 1990-91 season. She also headlined sitcoms Harper Valley P.T.A. (based on the movie of the same name, and later retitled Harper Valley), which aired for two seasons from 1981 to 1982; and one season entry A Brand New Life in 1989-90.

I Dream Of Jeannie, 1960Er, 1960S, Bezaubernde Jeannie, Fernsehen, I Dream Of Jeannie, Television, Us Serie, Us Series

Life before J.R. Ewing on "Dallas": Larry Hagman and Barbara Eden were a perfectly matched couple. ... [+] (Photo by FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images)

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In addition to comedy, Eden abandoned her innocent Jeannie persona for a number of dramatic television movies, including The Stranger Within (1974) and Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model? (1977). There was also more innocent made-for television fare, including The Secret Life of Kathy McCormick (1988) and Opposites Attract with John Forsythe in 1990. And, not surprisingly, there were two I Dream of Jeannie reunion movies: I Dream of Jeannie...15 Years Later in 1985, and I Still Dream of Jeannie in 1991.

2nd Annual TV Land Awards - Show

HOLLYWOOD, CA - Barbara Eden (left) and Larry Hagman present an award on stage at the 2nd Annual TV ... [+] Land Awards held on March 7, 2004 at The Hollywood Palladium, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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In 1988, Eden received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to television. And, in 1990, the University of West Los Angeles law school granted Eden an honorary doctor of laws degree.

From 2000 to 2004, Eden starred in the national touring production of the play The Odd Couple: The Female Version playing the role of Florence Unger opposite Rita MacKenzie as Olive Madison. And, in 2011, Eden she her memoir Jeannie Out of the Bottle, which chronicles her personal life and Hollywood career of more than 50 years, and includes intimate details about her life (including the tragic passing of her son Michael Ansara from a drug overdose in 2001).

Barbara Eden Signs Copies Of Her Memoir

HOLLYWOOD, CA - JULY 28: Actress and author Barbara Eden signs copies of her new book "Jeannie Out ... [+] Of The Bottle" at the Egyptian Theatre in 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Beck Starr/FilmMagic)

FilmMagic

Eden also co-wrote a children’s book, Barbara and the Djinn, which focuses on the adventures of a young girl named Barbara who discovers and releases a wizardly genie.

Of course, this is only a capsule summary of Barbara Eden’s many contributions to the world of media. And today we all wish the beloved Ms. Eden a Happy Birthday!

4th Hollywood Beauty Awards - Arrivals

LOS ANGELES, CA - Barbara Eden attends the 4th Hollywood Beauty Awards at Avalon Hollywood on ... [+] February 25, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

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