Barbara Eden is one of America’s most endearing and enduring stars. Her iconic “I Dream of Jeannie” NBC Television series, launched in 1965, became an instant hit. The network series ran for five seasons (139 episodes) and has been airing continuously on cable and in syndication in the United States and abroad for more than five decades.
Barbara’s most recent venture has returned her to the world of publishing. In August 2021, Barbara teamed up with writer Dustin Warburton and renowned illustrator Jason Moore to release her Debut children’s book Barbara And The Djinn published by Neighborhood Publishers. Barbara And The Djinn is a story of a little girl who takes a trip to her local library and finds herself transported into the book she’s reading and meets a genie (THE DJINN) who takes her on a magical adventure. The story is all about understanding people who are different and having empathy and love for them. One of the things the book emphasizes is selflessness.
No stranger to being author, Barbara’s wildly popular memoir Jeannie Out Of The Bottle, became a New York Times Best Seller in 2012. Published by Crown Archetype, a division of Random House, the autobiography chronicles Eden’s colorful life and remarkable Hollywood career, which now spans more than seven decades.
Barbara is one of Hollywood’s busiest actresses, appearing in a kaleidoscope of professional and personal activities. Film, television and theatre keep her busy as an actress with personal appearances, tours, numerous charitable events and home life, all of which are a part of her regular agenda.
Barbara’s activities include a memorable co-hosting of the fabulous 21st Annual Life Ball Charity Gala in Vienna, Austria, with special guests Elton John, Fergie, and former President Bill Clinton. Barbara also recently walked the runway for NYFW dressed in Designer Carmen Marc Valvo for the American Heart Association & Macy’s Red Dress Collection Runway Show which brings awareness and raises money for Women’s Heart Disease. Barbara celebrated the 50th Anniversary of her iconic show, I Dream of Jeannie by hosting a back to back 50 episode special on Antenna TV, as well as made her rounds on the TV Talk Show circuit which included a special I Dream of Jeannie Tribute and interview at her home away from home, NBC’s The TODAY Show. Barbara, a frequent guest on many of the television’s popular talk shows appeared on Oprah’s; Where Are They Now?, during the Season 6 premiere.
In 2016, Barbara Eden made her voice-over debut in Nickelodeon’s #1 Preschool Animated series Shimmer & Shine Guest starring as Empress Caliana.
Barbara ended 2017 on a high note when she was honored at New York City’s Gotham Hall along with 8 other media leaders by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation along with the International Radio & Television Society Foundation with the Giants of Broadcasting Honor for her contributions to television and film, including her iconic role in NBC’s I Dream of Jeannie.
On stage, Barbara headlined in Neal Simon’s female version of The Odd Couple in a three-year SRO 25 city tour. Other recent stage appearances included a special 10-week engagement at the celebrated New Theatre in Kansas City, starring in the comedy hit, Social Security directed by Mike Nichols in the role created on Broadway by Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis. In addition, Barbara also tours the country with her one-woman show, On The Magic Carpet with Barbara Eden, which plays select dates Nationally. In 2019, Barbara toured nationally, co-starring in A.R. Gurney’s celebrated 2 character play, Love Letters with Emmy & Tony Award-winning actor Hal Linden.
Topping off 2019 in a Yuletide way, Barbara starred in Universal Pictures Holiday film My Adventures with Santa.
During her illustrious career, Barbara has starred in 25 feature films, five network TV series, 19 top-rated network made-for-television movies including the Hallmark Television special Always and Forever and was a recurring guest star in Lifetime’s long-running Army Wives TV series.
She headlined at many of the major hotel resorts and casinos including Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City and Las Vegas where she headlined at the MGM Grand, Caesar’s Palace, Riviera, Frontier and Landmark Hotels and Casinos. She also top-lined a number of dates at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe and the Trump Resort Casino in Atlantic City among others.
Barbara made her television debut while a contract player at the studio starring in 20th Century Fox’s hit TV series “How to Marry a Millionaire” in the role Marilyn Monroe created in the motion picture version. She also starred in the hit movie “Harper Valley PTA” which subsequently became a popular NBC TV series. Other series included “Brand New Life” with Don Murray, “Liz Stonestreet” and the long-form dramatic TV movie “Visions of Murder”.
People Magazine named Barbara “One of America’s 200 Greatest Pop Icons of the 20th Century.” She has also been honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7003 Hollywood Blvd near the front of the world-famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. She was named one of TV Guide’s Most Popular Comedy Stars and has received the Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the TV Land Television Network.
To celebrate the 2002 Yuletide season, responding to an invitation from President Bush, Barbara journeyed to Washington D.C. and sang “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” at the annual White
House “Lighting of the National Christmas Tree” event where she also hosted the show and pageant with President and Mrs. Bush in attendance together with an audience of 6,000 cheering fans on the snow-covered Ellipse bordering the White House.
Barbara has been the featured spokesperson on National TV campaigns for Old Navy, AT&T and when she introduced the all-new Lexus SUV, which was later named Car of the Year by Motor Trend Magazine.
Earlier in her musical stage career, Barbara toured in numerous national musical productions including “Sound of Music” and “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” In the latter production, she played Lorelei Lee, the character created on Broadway by Carol Channing.
In motion pictures, Barbara essayed starring roles in a number of blockbuster feature films including “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea,” “The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grim,” “The Seven Faces of Dr. Lao” and “Flaming Star,” as Elvis Presley’s leading lady.
Barbara has guest-starred on more than 50 variety TV shows, hosted her own holiday ABC TV special, Love Is… Barbara Eden and appeared on 21 Bob Hope specials. During the Persian Gulf War, she traveled with Hope to the Middle East, performing in a whirlwind eight-day around-the-world USO tour entertaining servicemen during the Christmas season.
When there’s time in her crowded schedule, she works actively on behalf of numerous charities including The Trail of Painted Ponies Breast Cancer Research, the American Cancer Society, the Wellness Community, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association, Save the Children and Childhelp USA.
Born in Tucson, AZ, and raised in San Francisco, Barbara resides with her architect/real estate developer husband Jon Eicholtz and their Labradoodle Bentley in the Benedict Canyon area of Beverly Hills.