Barbara Eden, best known for making the world dream of genies, is celebrating her 92nd birthday on August 23. Even in her 90s, the star of I Dream of Jeannie looks wonderful. Eden, who became famous for playing a wish-granting genie, is still loved nearly 60 years after the show first aired.
Born during the Great Depression, Barbara Eden turned her early struggles into success. She began acting in 1956, appearing in films like A Private’s Affair and TV shows such as I Love Lucy. In 1960, she acted alongside Elvis Presley in Flaming Star, reaching international fame.
In 1965, Eden starred as Jeannie, a genie freed by astronaut Tony Nelson, played by Larry Hagman, in the sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. The show ran for five seasons, and her performance captured the hearts of fans around the world.
The same year she rose to fame, Eden and her husband, actor Michael Ansara, had a son, Matthew. Unfortunately, their 15-year marriage ended, which Eden believes contributed to her son’s struggles with drugs. Matthew began using heroin as a teenager, and despite efforts to help him, his battle with addiction continued for years.
Eden first noticed Matthew’s problems in 1984 when he moved in with his father. She sought professional help for him, but his addiction persisted. “He became the drug,” she said, describing the painful decision to lock him out when he was 20.
Over the years, Matthew went in and out of rehab. He married and studied creative writing but continued to relapse. Despite moments of hope, such as his roles in To Protect and Serve and Con Games, he could not escape his addiction.
On June 26, 2001, Matthew died from an accidental heroin overdose at 35. “He couldn’t do anything in moderation,” Eden said, reflecting on his life. Today, she continues to grieve the loss of her only child, finding comfort in the memories of his better days.
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