Barbara Eden Reveals Secrets of ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ | TODAY

It’s the 50-year anniversary of iconic sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie,” and star Barbara Eden spills secrets of the show to TODAY’s Willie Geist.
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Barbara Eden Reveals Secrets of ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ | TODAY

[@DaleRaby]

Some years ago I sent Barbara Eden a letter thanking her for her performance(s). I did not ask for anything, but a couple of weeks later I received an envelope from her with an autographed photograph of herself as Jeanie. What a class act she is!

[@DaleRaby]

***** I am not so delusional as all that. I am well aware that Barbara Eden likely never saw my letter... or perhaps she did. It was many years ago and she was not always as famous as she would be later in life. In any case, she could have easily tossed the fan mail unopened into the recycle bin, but she didn't. She either sent the photograph or paid someone else to do so, either way it puts her heads above the crowd. I use a typewriter to answer snail mail, she uses individuals on a salary that she pays for. The main difference is economies of scale. I reiterate: she is a class act!

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Dale Raby How did you know where to send it ???

[@jess4metoo]

Dale Raby I arrived late to a meet and greet and security wouldn't let us in. The guard left to ask her if she would accept two more fans. He came back and said she would if we would be quiet while they filmed a tv interview. We got in and got to see her do the interview. She signed my bottle and book, she was very kind. So, I believe she responded to your letter herself.

[@patrickshannon1547]

How much you want for it the signed autographed picture?

[@edwardmartinez199]

Jess4metoo I am sure she did she is a fine lady.

[@ashwinatresh4278]

Not only is she still beautiful, her mannerisms still retain and reflect Jeannie's sweet and charming disposition that millions across the globe fell in love with. What a woman!!

[@bigred8432]

I met her around three years ago, at an event. She is a friend of a friend. She was truly one of the nicest people I’ve ever talked to. We had a conversation for around ten minutes or so, until she was whisked off to do photos. She was gracious, classy and funny. Everything you hope she would be. There is no story to this, simply sharing that she is as wonderful as one night imagine

[@christinenunez7504]

Thank you 😀

[@anitakraft408]

You are blessed to have met her❤❤❤

[@00kt86]

She looks remarkable. What a beauty. Barbara Eden and Elizabeth Montgomery will always be my favorites.

[@tarakhalid5972]

00kt86 mine too!!

[@georgepenaloza1770]

Love her so much that I sculpted a replica of her Jeanie bottle hope I do it justice would like to know how to send her a pic for her to see it Being made

[@OldFartFilms]

You could try sending a message via her fan club. Link below. barbaraeden.net/contact-us

[@elenita7483]

I agree

[@Dogboy1960]

I suppose but it's a pretty unfair comparison in terms of beauty alone. This is always a subjective opinion and yours may not agree but...... Elizabeth Montgomery was beautiful in that "girl next door" way that you see somewhere most every day. Truth be told I know more than just a couple of women that are better looking. Barbra Eden on the other hand. Stunningly beautiful in a way you just never see very often at all, if ever, in everyday life.

[@stevenpatrickstone766]

She's 84 years old and looks fabulous !!!

[@heru-deshet359]

+Steven Patrick Stone That's a grandma I would definitely warm up in bed with.

[@snapdragon9300]

+Steven Patrick Stone yep, id still do her, and im half that!

[@yvonnespearing]

ya she had a lot of facelifts,,Im shocked she cant hardly smile,but still like her..lol

[@paulsumile2989]

JAGG KOUT

[@danseabreeze1404]

+JAGG KOUT I don't think she had "a lot" of facelifts, remember she's always been at her ideal weight, always worked out even now and you can see her neck and face that have aged but she still looks GREAT! Joan Rivers, now SHE had a lot of face-lifts! No eighty plus year old has tight plump smooth skin on her entire face, neck and hands like she did plus Joan looked like someone else in her youth from the facial changes. Barbara Eden still looks like Barbara Eden.

[@speedmifune7376]

I loved that they finally got together. I remember running home from school to make sure I didn’t miss reruns of the episodes and I couldn’t wait for them to finally be together. Season 5 is still my favorite and the one I rewatch the most

[@alziraneves7235]

I celebrated my 50 th birthday together with Jeannie. My party was a theme party with the cake in the shape of a bottle. There were pictures of the show on the walls. It was unforgettable. I live in Rio de Janeiro.

[@hosanaakujur8706]

I'm a die hard fan of this and I used to watch it when I was a kid. Today it's the year 2019 and I'm still watching it. Thanks to KZbin for allowing all the series in full 💜🎀

[@nannie2846]

2023 and I am still watching it. I am old enough to have watched the episodes when they aired for the first time. Loved it then and still love it now!

[@sunlitweb]

She's wonderful, and still ravishing. What a gorgeous woman.

[@Merely]

This woman is all class. I grew up watching IDOJ and it remains my happy place. She lost her only son, and unfortunately, I lost my son as well, when he was 23. Barbara carries on, as we have to, and I will always hold her close to my heart. xo

[@Chahlie]

I didn't know that about her son. I lost my youngest before he was 20- no matter how it happens it's something that ties moms together.

[@GodConsciousness]

I'll always love "I Dream of Jeannie"! Love you Barbara Eden and RIP Larry Hagman.

[@darreylhenderson702]

I meant Miss Eden after seeing her here in Kansas in a play, and afterwards I got the chance to meet her. She could not have been more sweet. We even took a picture together with our backs against each other doing the Jeannie pose! An amazingly humble, talented and beautiful individual!!

[@DA90027]

she just turned 85 and looks amazing more like in her 60s she is also a sweet person which adds to her charisma

[@georgepenaloza1770]

Money and plastic surgery honey

[@sgillman16]

Adrenochrome

[@tiradoentertainmentllc.2517]

Thank you Barbara and Larry for soooo much joy as a young teen and now as a middle ager! Love ya'll forever! You are a critical part of my childhood.

[@YvetteUgalde]

I absolutely ADORE Barbara Eden. She is LEGENDARY!

[@billeudy8481]

Me too, what’s not to love?

[@mf5531]

as a child in the 60's, that was my favorite show! my mother made me a costume just like hers and i LOVED playing Jeannie . it was nice to see this interview .

[@rexiiforsure9558]

My uncle who died last year said he the watched I Dream of Jeannie after school when it was in re-runs in the 70's, he really liked it, the show because he always said he had the crush on her

[@FreeSpeechisMyRight10]

The fact that she embraces the Jeannie character instead of denouncing it speaks volumes.

[@anthonyalger1994]

I had the biggest crush on Barbra Eden!.. Don't even get me going... What little boy didn't dream of Genie... She set the TV on fire.

[@stephenwatkins9198]

Ha ha I still love her.

[@claudiosouza4293]

Jeannie é o gênio ela era muito linda e ainda continua

[@chowman007]

Crush indeed. Love her everything. Perfect!

[@Obsurdious]

Anthony Alger Probably the ones that knew how to spell her name properly

[@SORGIGERMANICO]

i did also. id still hit it though lmfao

[@jonchaney]

Oh my god I love here. She is still Jeanie. Barbara looks fantastic.! What a lady. Damn.

[@blackhatter011]

Oh my god I love there.

[@RG-xi3rd]

Growing up this was my favorite show. I always loved her energy, enthusiasm and smile. Glad to see she is still doing well and embraces the Jeannie years. I still watch the reruns even now (2023). Larry and her made a great team and it was sad to see the show end when it did.

[@ghfever4445]

She looks AMAZING!

[@Shenruss]

She is _sooooooooo_ so wonderful! I was born almost 20 years aftter this show first came out, and still was a fan of it, and Barbara's charm and wamrth was a big part of that. Miss Tony, but it's good to see her going so well.

[@volb9817]

Jeanni, Samantha Stevens, Lucy... they are eternal characters. They will live on in our hearts and in the futur générations to come. So much love to you Barbara xox

[@charliebowman785]

Her voice is so powerful and her eyes and her smile, and all about her............one in a million.

[@bbee8829]

The show is a classic because it was played with charm. If it was done today, it would be filled with profane language and nudity. I miss the good old days. Hagman and Eden were class acts.

[@echozgus]

different times but you can see black people comedies since the seventies with few white people

[@echozgus]

some of them not all

[@joepalermo3836]

B : your sadly mistaken !

[@ironworld9822]

I totally agree. Everything in shows today is hyper-sexualized and profane. That era was definitely, most definitely, a much better time to live in I think. You can clearly see that moral standards have declined since then, and as time goes on it becomes worse and worse.

[@alexsdb9712]

No. It is not a generational thing, but it is a question of QUALITY. Very poor and lacking today. TV, movies, music, etc. Just look at the comments in KZbin videos, Facebook, blogs and forums. Always comments such as "TV sucks today" "what happened to movies?" "It was better back then", etc.

[@SEFYH]

Wow!! Barbara still looks good!

[@cmcb09]

SEFYH She's had extensive work done over the years, but she also still hits the gym 3 days a week. Hard to believe she'll be celebrating her 84th birthday next month.

[@SEFYH]

Yeah, she definitely had some work done, but she didn't over do it like some...It looks good on her!

[@thebaby1933]

+Chris Johnson I knew she had something done! she looks amazing don't get me wrong, but my sister is a huge fan and I kept asking her "are you sure?" She kept denying but I'm glad someone else's see a little touch up on her

[@ellenw391]

She looks FABULOUS!! Everyone in (and out) of the industry should take note. There is nothing wrong with the infamous "having some work done" as long as you still look like YOU and avoid pillow cheeks, trout lips etc. Of course, she was stunning to begin with, which probably helped!! But who cares about "work", she looks simply amazing, regardless of years! And she has always come across as a truly kind soul

[@Xerxez22]

+Ellen W 👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼...

[@TheSandmanShane]

The most beautiful lady in the history of TV.. Jeannie was in a class all by herself.

[@edwardmartinez199]

How can anyone not love Barbara Eden she is and always will be a goddess to me. Such a sweet person.

[@sarahmichaels2117]

I loved I dream of Jeanie! Every little girl wanted to be Jeanie. She is still beautiful! Would love to see her act again. Blessings to her and her family!

[@barbaraeggleston6858]

84 years young and she's looks fabulous I really loved the show she is a television icon

[@stanleymcintyre8870]

Classic tv show, hard to believe its 50 years now, funny how time flies.

[@chanchi62]

In this video she might be "84" - is that right? She was born 1931....... it's unbelievable

[@LarryBanks85]

Wow this woman is 84 years old and still looks great I wish I was blessed like her!

[@azharuddinshaikh2320]

Thank you for entertaining us and making our childhoods better Jeanie..I wish you even longer life and good health..lots of love❤️

[@jc6594]

Happy 85th Birthday Barbara Eden

[@justinmartyr4420]

*Wut is the

[@glennfeuer7408]

She is not 85, she is 83.

[@nachocat32]

2019 and it showed up in my recommended videos , what a fantastic women she is , can't believe anyone would thumbs down this ...

[@ndingo]

No matter how old Barbara Eden gets she will still be as beautiful as ever

[@GodManCan]

What a gem of a soul she is.

[@marksanders9048]

I remember seeing Barbara and Wolfman Jack at Knotts Berry Farm in the 70s, she can sing and dance as well! That was great!

[@TheSMCSS1234]

2017, still loves her

[@ds99]

As sweet as ever! She embraces her TV character which I admire her for doing.

[@RoyalMasterpiece]

Love her and always loved I Dream of Jeannie. I wish Larry Hagman was also here to celebrate. This was a great show. She is a legend. Love her necklace, too.

[@yasmine5105]

It really is great to see her being interviewed about the show. Good for her! She looks great and she took care of her self threw the years!

[@mariolyndennis522]

She is Beautiful with a Bubbly Spirit, with a wonderful smile. Really love that show 😍

[@CutestHeidi]

This show and I love Lucy were the BEST

[@robertrusso4498]

I wouldn't spit on I love Lucy if it was on fire.

[@windhammer1237]

Why? Because she was a Communist?

[@georgepenaloza1770]

She was in one the last episodes of I love lucy

[@silas122801]

Barbra you are so special to all of us.

[@devanshibatavia5403]

I still watch this show everyday when i come home from work. I have watched all the seasons and episodes gazillion times yet i cannnot get enough of it. Jeannie is such a character that it makes you go into her world and the fictitious character seems real. I love major Nelson too lovely show they should have a remake of it

[@ana-mariaduran9051]

WHO WAS THE ACTOR THAAT OPEN THE MAGIC B OTTLR NO SABEMOS QUE FUE DE ESE ACTOR YA MURIO?????

[@devanshibatavia5403]

aNA-mARIA dURAN His name was Larry Hagman. Character name was Tony Nelson. He was an Astronaut

[@BrotherDerrick3X]

@@devanshibatavia5403 most people remember him more as JR Ewing than as Major Nelson.

[@nannie2846]

@@BrotherDerrick3X Not me. I only ever saw about 3 or 4 episodes of Dallas, but I have watched every episode of I Dream of Jeannie multiple times!

[@rosewassel5811]

I always loved Jeannie, my favorite sitcom. Barbara was a fantastic Jeannie.. I never missed any of her shows. I still watch her on tv.

[@vickyimmortal5374]

It always make me remember past time.I am from Nepal but i watched this in 90'S in Sony Entertainment Television as I was child.I was lucky.I really love Jeannie(Barbara Eden) And Larry Hagman and also all the characters in this show....I really miss........

[@Ninad009]

she is so beautiful

[@MrTokeda]

I've loved this show since I was in kindergarden...such magic! and Barbara is beautiful inside and out, I always wanted to meet her

[@alfonsoleitonorellano2095]

Que linda, es mi preferida y aun la veo en el programa me reencanta 😘❤️ Dios la llene siempre de mucha salud y paz

[@danlaslo8965]

Still the graceful,funny and talented girl I knew in the 60s.Love you Barbara!

[@dynodon100]

AND she IS as sweet as she looks to be.Everyone loves her! ME TOO !!!

[@azahzuddin1493]

Brings back my childhood memories with Tv shows.Simple sweet entertainment.

[@iolandabrunelli3858]

I just bought the whole collection of I Dream of Jeannie on Amazon! I’m very happy! Now I can watch the show anytime I want! Thanks to Amazon!

[@AwesomeBeatles]

Gorgeous, beautiful and talented Barbara Eden. Every guy my age loved her and fantasized about her.

[@harlow743]

She was such a joy as Jeannie,,,highly loveable

[@nancyhoralia]

She is still better looking than Julia Roberts.

[@chowman007]

raul gomez, u got that right. Compare them when they were both starting n she'll still ahead.

[@danseabreeze1404]

LOL, not nice... BUT TRUE! : D

[@rosayashiromacedoaguilar391]

Barbara is more beautiful than Julia

[@gmoney9961]

That’s not a very high bar! Roberts has those flared horse nostrils and that GIANT mouth. BE is a timeless beauty.

[@MrAmitkr007]

Julia Roberts is far better looking than her. Her nose is too small

[@gracecw]

I’m 15 and I ADORE this show

[@antoniotiberi3157]

Beautiful, elegant and a timeless role model.

[@cookingworldworld3405]

This show aired here in India in 1996 thru 1997 on Sony TV.I was a child of around 7-8 that time. I use to watch this with my Mom and after doing my homework in the evening with some snacks. I can never ever forget that time.

[@glenpage162]

I remember seeing I Dream Of Jeannie r-runs in the Summer of 72' when I was 6 years old-even then she just amazed me!

[@AshishGupta-fy4rz]

Always Love and respect for this beautiful lady

[@anitakraft408]

After all these years she still looks amazing she's a beautiful person inside and out God bless Barbara Eden❤❤❤

[@irn2flying]

A remarkable lady. So timeless, classy, and beautiful ! Such a delight.

[@xchadx123112]

I met Ms .Eden when I was 12 years old @ Hess's Department Store in Allentown, PA. She was warm and gracious after being on her feet all day greeting the public, emceeing their annual flower show, signing autographs, etc. You could tell she was exhausted, but was stiil so sweet and kind to every one, including me! as for her current youthful appearance, she doesn't look a day oder then the day I met her in 1966!!

[@gilbertorosales5317]

I was a little kid when that tv series came to life...for a mexican kid living in Mexico...WAS FANTASTIC...to see a nicest side of life...when you grow old and find out about the way this life really is...with crimes and wars.,.divorces and selfishness, you wish to get back to those marvelous childhood days... Yes...A GREAT INSPIRING SHOW...nowadays, nothing close to I dream of Jeanie..thanks Barbara...thanks Larry...

[@kayo5011]

At the age of 14 I still watch the re-runs still now.

[@joesmith-jb4ls]

Gosh! I was always in love with Barbara. Truly a beautiful woman in every sense of the word.

[@anafigueroa6374]

And a real Lady!

[@scottex8370]

She is just as hot as ever.

[@charlesdavis9165]

ScottishLion83 ewaw

[@kennethhunt248]

YOUR NASTY SCOT TEX83

[@railgun]

She is my favorite TV personality for many years I love watching her show I did notice that no one mentioned her in the movie "The 7 Faces of Doctor Lo" she was great in that movie as well. Staring the Late Tony Randell. Another fabulous movie I love for many years.

[@robertlworley]

I love that show!! Just plain silliness and fun!

[@ameliadiaz8040]

How fun were these sitcoms for all the family! These one and Bewitched.

[@TecladistadoYoutubeRivaLima]

Como ela é maravilhosa, não existe como não se apaixonar por ela na idade que esteja! Que simpatia e sorriso lindo!

[@jackiebo41963]

I Love I Dream of Jeannie since I was a little Girl. She looks GREAT!!

[@patrickoriley8382]

I LOVE Barbara Eden!!!!!

[@bjmartinez6808]

OMG she was gorgeous then and she's still gorgeous now. The most beautiful woman in show business and the world 😍

[@nrwing1986]

I watched I dream of Jeannie every day after school growing up and will never forget meeting Barbara Eden at the Salt Lake Comic Con

[@warrenknight9276]

Truly unique and fabulous programme, especially so at that time. Oh my yes indeed so thank you Barbara Eden. ××××.

[@mojomojo5779]

I was a very young boy when the show started. I thought she was the most beautiful woman on earth.

[@bigblockjalopy]

well, she was

[@chowman007]

She still is in her age bracket. She is the essence of sweetness even though there have been tragedy in her life.

[@Vanessa-cn4mz]

She is still beautiful and gorgeous.

[@donnakowalski2622]

Wow Barbara is still so beautiful. And shes so sweet... ❤

[@felixgonzalez5519]

So nice to see her again. One of my favorite shows 😍

[@itsgr82bdum34]

No secrets were revealed here. Always nice to see Barbara anyhow

[@kaly237534]

she looks great for her age used to watch the show back in the 80s..

[@johnf.kennedy7339]

Love this lady.

[@WSenator1]

Ms. Eden, from a man who was in junior high school, at the dawn of his hormones acting up, when this show premiered, and who watched it virtually every week it came on, he and his hormones thank you!

[@brucejones5527]

I still watch your show

[@scrappinSAS]

Love, love, love I Dream Of Jeannie!!!!!

[@Lorgayle1]

A classic beauty inside and out!! I have always admired Barbara Eden.

[@daniellebycoskie8262]

Barbara Eden is most definitely a classy lady. I always enjoyed her show, " I dream of Jeannie". I don't think this interview was done very well though on her behalf. The interviewer seemed very detached and aloof. I don't think he can relate very well to that era. She should have been interviewed by someone who showed more interest in who she really is

[@geo-george1375]

Yes, I agree with you.

[@normanmoar167]

She was so beautiful and still is I Loved watching this show it still ran re-runs in the early 80's

[@CGKf35]

Love her!

[@King_Colombia_Inc]

To this day, Barbara is still living and breathing. Thank god. :D

[@JyotiSingh-ij2df]

my childhood favorite programme ...i love this serial so much 😙😙😙

[@EasySounds]

Barbara Eden is such a sweet person. And I love the theme by Hugo Montenegro with its jazz-pop and latin elements so typical of the 1960s. Did you know that the first season actually had another theme? A little like with Magnum P.I. which also changed its original theme.

[@ameliadiaz8040]

So was its spin-off series Simon & Simon.

[@ednasanchez7559]

I love Dream of Jeanie for ever. I was a child when the show started. I have the complete season at home. Once I told my dad that I wanted Jeanie's outfit. And always playing her magic she used. Was wondering fun

[@billkeogh639]

I've had a crush on Barbara Eden since I was about 8 years old. I'm 58 now.

[@sanmcnellis94]

Truly a wonderful, beautiful lady.