Back in 1965, when Barbara Eden first stepped into the iconic role of Jeannie in "I Dream of Jeannie," it was hard not to notice her eye-catching outfit. Now, at 92, Barbara opens up about the chatter surrounding her character's belly-baring costume and shares her thoughts on how things have changed since then.
“Let me tell you what I was wearing—tights, panties, and a full bra,” Barbara recalled with a laugh during an interview with Entertainment Tonight on July 10. She was reminiscing about the five seasons she donned that legendary outfit. It wasn’t just any costume—it became a symbol of its time.
According to Barbara, the uproar about showing her belly button on television began when a journalist visited the set. “It became a big deal,” she explained. “I’ve joked with people that while others are known for glamorous body parts, I’m famous for my belly button. It’s not exactly the sexiest feature, but back then, the standards and practices for TV suddenly realized I had one they hadn’t seen before.”
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Looking back, Barbara finds it amusing. “It was ridiculous,” she admitted. “In today’s world, no one would bat an eye at such a thing. Times have certainly changed.”
In 2013, at the age of 78, Barbara slipped back into Jeannie’s iconic outfit for the Life Ball charity event in Vienna. That night, the star-studded audience included Elton John, Fergie, and even Bill Clinton. Wearing the costume again was like stepping back in time, and she looked as stunning as ever on stage, proving that some looks never go out of style.
Remembering Larry Hagman: A Lifelong Friendship
The show "I Dream of Jeannie" wrapped up in 1970 after 139 episodes, but the bond between Barbara and her co-star Larry Hagman lasted long beyond the credits. Their collaboration on the fantasy sitcom created memories that stayed with them for life.
“I’ve never worked with anyone who understood me so well,” Barbara fondly remembered in a February interview with Closer. “It was pure joy and a challenge to work with him. He was incredibly talented and always kind to me. But sometimes, he was his own worst enemy.”
Their professional relationship didn’t end with "I Dream of Jeannie." In 1990, Barbara and Larry reunited on the set of "Dallas," where she guest-starred. Larry, of course, was the iconic J.R. Ewing for 14 seasons.
“The first day back on set, everyone was watching us,” Barbara reminisced. “Larry looked at me and said, ‘Isn’t this strange? It’s like we’ve never stopped working together.’”
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A Heartfelt Loss
In 2012, Larry passed away at the age of 81 due to complications from cancer. He had appeared in the first two seasons of the "Dallas" revival before his untimely death.
“The last time I saw him, I was in Australia, and he seemed fine,” Barbara shared. “It was a shock when I heard the news. Losing Larry after knowing him for over four decades was tough. He was more than a colleague—he was a close friend.”
“Larry and I were meant to be together,” Barbara reflected. “We clicked instantly. When he felt good, he was one of the kindest men I’ve ever known. I loved him deeply.”
