Fans of “I Dream of Jeannie” still remember the magical chemistry between Barbara Eden’s playful genie and Larry Hagman’s straight-laced astronaut, Tony Nelson. But even after five seasons of laughter and lighthearted adventures, Eden says there was one major storyline she wishes had played out differently—and it involved the show’s ending.
In a recent interview, the 93-year-old actress revealed she was “very upset” when producers decided in Season 5 to have Jeannie marry Tony. While it might have seemed like a sweet, romantic resolution to viewers, Eden felt it went against everything her character had come to represent.
“She was a very independent creature. And very strong,” Eden explained, adding that many women told her over the years that Jeannie empowered them. “I said, ‘This is ridiculous. She can’t marry you. It’s ridiculous.’ But it was okay. It was still funny. People could relate, one way or another.”
Interestingly, the show’s creator, Sidney Sheldon, agreed with her. He later admitted that the marriage storyline was not his idea, but something the network insisted on. “I Dream of Jeannie” ran from 1965 to 1970, with the wedding episode airing on December 3, 1969.
Eden also shared another behind-the-scenes secret that might surprise even the most devoted fans—she was pregnant during the first season of “Jeannie.”
She and her then-husband, actor Michael Ansara, had been hoping for a baby for years. “Finally, I was pregnant,” Eden recalled. “I was so happy. I sat down there with a big grin on my face and said, ‘You know, I’m pregnant, and I can’t do your show.’”
But Sheldon didn’t want to recast. Instead, the production team found creative ways to hide her pregnancy. That meant costumes with extra layers, props strategically placed in front of her, and even an unusual on-set fix. She remembered being asked to wear a bikini for one scene. “I said, ‘I can’t wear that. I am pregnant.’” Eventually, they padded her tummy with a “tire” and covered it with towels.
Eden gave birth to her son, Matthew Ansara, in August 1965. Tragically, Matthew died in 2001 at age 35 from an accidental drug overdose. “When Matthew was clean and sober, he was such a beautiful human being, inside and out,” she said in 2021. “Drugs are inexplicable. It’s so frustrating.”
While Eden didn’t agree with every creative decision on the show, she has nothing but gratitude for the role that made her a household name. She’s embraced the joy “I Dream of Jeannie” brought to millions—and the encouragement it gave women in a changing era.
More than five decades later, the image of Jeannie popping out of her bottle with a sparkle in her eye and a heart for fun still delights audiences. For Eden, that magic—rooted in strength, charm, and a little mischief—will always be worth celebrating.