Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman undeniably shared a special chemistry. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of "My Beautiful Genius," Eden revealed previously undisclosed details about her first encounter with her co-star.
The enduring success of "My Beautiful Genius," which has been re-released on several occasions, is a testament to its timeless appeal. Debuting on television in 1965, this NBC series has continued to captivate audiences for an astounding 57 years, introducing new generations to the enchanting tale of love and whimsy between Jeannie and Anthony Nelson.
Starring Barbara Eden, Larry Hagman, and Bill Daily, the show spanned five seasons and featured two exclusive television movies. Renowned for its lighthearted and comedic narrative, the dynamic chemistry between the lead characters has remained a focal point of praise, and it all began in a rather peculiar manner.
How did the fateful meeting between Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman come about?
In the documentary "I Dream of Jeannie: Out of the Bottle," which aired on television in 2005 to celebrate the series' 40th anniversary, Sidney Sheldon, the series creator, recounted the story of how Larry Hagman became part of the show.
"I didn't know him. I think I was working on a soap opera at the time. But I recall someone from NBC suggesting that we should meet him, so we reached out to him. He demonstrated his perfection, responding to humor swiftly," Sheldon shared.
Barbara Eden also reminisced about her initial encounter with Hagman. She revealed that her spontaneous gesture initially "startled" her co-star. "I rushed up to him, embraced him, and planted a kiss on his cheek," she recounted. "He told me I had given him quite a shock. It all occurred when I was informed that he was a remarkable young man, and the producers wanted us to meet. He came to the studio where I was working. Between takes, I visited my dressing room, and we ran through a few scenes, including the moment when Jeannie and Tony share a kiss. I did it, and it totally took him by surprise," Eden shared.
This impromptu kiss marked the inception of the electric chemistry between the leads of "My Beautiful Genius." Regrettably, of the three primary stars, only Barbara Eden remains with us. She is currently 91 years old, whereas Larry Hagman passed away at the age of 81 in 2012, and Bill Daily at 91 in 2018.
The Tragic Loss of Barbara Eden's Second Son
In 1971, after the conclusion of "My Beautiful Genius," Barbara Eden found herself expecting her second child while her firstborn, Matthew, was six years old. However, a heartbreaking tragedy unfolded as she recalled, "I carried my second son for nearly eight months before the doctors delivered the devastating news that he had passed away in the womb."
