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Barbara Eden, "I Dream of Jeannie" Star, Celebrates 94th Birthday and Enduring Global Fanbase
4 Oct
Summary
- Barbara Eden, 94, reflects on the lasting success of "I Dream of Jeannie"
- Fans from around the world, including Russia, China, and Japan, continue to send her fan mail
- Eden says the show's magic and her character's signature move have transcended language barriers
As of October 4th, 2025, legendary actress Barbara Eden, best known for her role as the titular genie in the classic 1960s sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie," has just celebrated her 94th birthday. Over the past seven decades, Eden has been a fixture in Hollywood, but none of her roles can compare to the once-in-a-career part she played as Jeannie.
The NBC fantasy sitcom, which ran for five seasons between 1965 and 1970, catapulted Eden and her co-star Larry Hagman into television history, thanks to their undeniable on-screen chemistry. Even now, 60 years after the show's debut, Eden continues to make appearances at comic-cons and fan events around the world, captivating audiences with her iconic character.
"I think I had nothing to do with it. It was the audience," Eden tells PEOPLE of the show's lasting success. "I didn't realize, actually, how popular Jeannie was until several years after, and it still amazes me." The beloved actress reveals that she receives fan mail from all corners of the globe, including Russia, China, Japan, Poland, Italy, Germany, South America, and the U.K. – a testament to the show's universal appeal.
Fans often ask Eden to perform Jeannie's signature move to cast a spell, and some even do it back to her, demonstrating how the gesture has become cemented in pop culture history, transcending language barriers. "It's magic. They always want magic," Eden says. "Magic is good."
