At 91, Barbara Eden remains vibrant and active, over 50 years since her iconic role in ‘I Dream of Jeannie.’

At 91, Barbara Eden continues to enjoy an impressive seven-decade-long career, remaining active and vibrant.

Known for her roles as an actress, singer, and producer, she is most famous for starring in “I Dream of Jeannie,” which debuted in 1965, though her on-screen career began a decade earlier.

Generations of viewers have enjoyed *I Dream of Jeannie*, the beloved 1960s sitcom about an astronaut who discovers a 2,000-year-old genie. Despite the whimsical plot, Barbara Eden’s talent and charm as Jeannie kept audiences entertained. Though it’s hard to believe, Barbara is now 91 years old! Although she hasn’t appeared in her iconic harem outfit for a while, she remains active and well.

However, Barbara’s life has not always been easy. Born in 1931 in Tucson, Arizona, she moved to San Francisco after her parents’ divorce and studied singing at the Conservatory of Music. As a child, she performed in small local bands, but soon decided to explore acting as well.

“Barbara, you don’t sound like you mean a word you’re singing,” her mother once said. “I think you should also study acting,” Eden recalled. Once she realized acting was a good fit, she moved to Los Angeles, landing roles on some of the biggest shows of the 1950s.

Her screen debut came in 1955 as a semi-regular on *The Johnny Carson Show*, but it was her role in *I Dream of Jeannie* that catapulted her to fame.

The Arizona-born star played Jeannie, a mischievous genie freed by astronaut and USAF Captain Tony Nelson, portrayed by Larry Hagman.

“We just clicked. We had the same rhythm. Whatever we did, it felt right,” Eden explained.

“I liked him. Some actors are hard to connect with, but I never felt that way with Larry. He was always present.”

She portrayed Jeannie for five years, also appearing as Jeannie’s mother and her evil sister. The character’s harem costume, considered slightly daring for the time, added to Jeannie’s iconic status.

“NBC executives were quite nervous,” she told *Today* in 2015, around the show’s 50th anniversary. “They became strict about the navel being shown.”

According to Eden, her friend, columnist Mike Connolly, added to the legend’s mystique by teasing her about it, and an earlier interview with *The Hollywood Reporter* helped fuel the tale.

“When Mike started joking about my belly button, it spread like wildfire worldwide. We had fun with it, but I never expected it to become a big deal.”

The famous outfit cemented Eden’s status as a TV sex symbol for many, with notable admirers including John F. Kennedy, who once sent her his phone number, and Elvis Presley.

“I threw away the paper, but I wish I’d kept it,” she shared in her 2011 memoir, *Jeannie Out of the Bottle*.

Throughout her career, Eden has appeared in over 50 films, and at 91, she continues to work.

In 2019, she portrayed Mrs. Claus in her latest movie, *My Adventures with Santa*. That same year, she made her stage debut as Melissa Gardner in the play *Love Letters*.

“I feel young!” she said, grateful to be working in a profession she loves. “I feel sorry for people, like my father, who had to work jobs they didn’t enjoy. I love my work and still do.”

Up until recently, Eden regularly attended spin classes and lifted weights at the gym. Now, she has a trainer who visits her home for resistance training and takes walks with her.

“I have many friends,” she said. “I remain socially active.”

She even had an appearance planned for March 2022.

“If I’m still around, I’ll be there!” she joked.

In addition to performing, Eden enjoys writing children’s books. She co-authored *Barbara and the Djinn*, a story about a young girl named Barbara who embarks on magical adventures with a genie, much like her iconic role.

She hopes her books encourage children to appreciate reading, “because all they do now is stare at their phones!”

Eden dismisses the notion that *I Dream of Jeannie* might seem outdated to modern audiences.

“Come on, this is a timeless story,” she said. “*One Thousand and One Nights*? It’s a delightful, magical fantasy.”

“And let’s be honest, Jeannie was always in control. She wasn’t submissive at all.”

Barbara Eden’s extraordinary life is a testament to her energy and positivity. She truly shows that age is just a number.

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