Let’s take a trip down memory lane. When Barbara Eden first stepped into her iconic role as Jeannie in I Dream of Jeannie back in 1965, people couldn’t stop talking about her outfit. The look she donned—complete with a belly-baring design—became a hot topic of conversation. But what exactly was all the fuss about? Well, Barbara, now 92, recently opened up about the controversy surrounding her famous costume and shared her thoughts on how it might be viewed differently today.
“Let me tell you, I wasn’t showing anything scandalous,” Barbara told Entertainment Tonight on Wednesday, July 10, with a laugh. “I had on tights, panties, and a full bra. Nothing too risqué, right?” she joked. This was the outfit she wore throughout the show’s five seasons, and yet, it sparked a national debate. Back then, even something as simple as a belly button could stir up some serious drama.
Barbara recalled how the chatter about her exposed belly button first surfaced when a journalist visited the set of the show. “It just became this big thing,” she explained. “You know, other actresses were known for glamorous parts of their bodies, like their legs or their hair. But me? I was known for my belly button. Not exactly the sexiest thing in the world, right?” she quipped. “It was all so silly. The standards and practices for films suddenly realized that I had a belly button I’d never shown before. Can you believe that?”
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“Looking back, it seems ridiculous,” Barbara added, emphasizing how times have changed. “If someone wore that outfit today, no one would bat an eye. It’s amazing how much societal norms have shifted over the years.”
In May 2013, Barbara decided to revisit her iconic role at the ripe age of 78 when she donned the Jeannie costume again for an appearance at the Life Ball charity event in Vienna. That night, the star-studded event featured legendary names like Elton John, Fergie, and Bill Clinton. “Putting the costume back on was such a blast from the past,” Barbara said. “And you know what? I still looked pretty good up there on stage in front of all those people!”
Barbara and Larry: A Lasting Friendship
I Dream of Jeannie may have wrapped up in 1970 after 139 episodes, but the bond between Barbara and her costar Larry Hagman endured long after the cameras stopped rolling. Working alongside Larry created memories that lasted a lifetime.
“Let me tell you, Larry and I were so in sync on set,” Barbara shared with Closer in February. “There was this perfect harmony between us, acting-wise. It was a joy and a challenge working with him. He was incredibly talented and so sweet to me. But let’s be honest, he could be his own worst enemy sometimes.”
Reuniting on Dallas
After their time together on the fantasy sitcom, Barbara and Larry reunited on Dallas in 1990 when she guest-starred on the show. Of course, Larry played the iconic J.R. Ewing for 14 seasons.
“The first day we were back on set, everyone was watching us,” Barbara reminisced. “Larry looked at me and said, ‘Isn’t this the strangest thing? It feels like we’ve never stopped working together.’ That’s just how natural our chemistry was.”
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The Loss of Larry Hagman
Larry Hagman passed away in 2012 at the age of 81 due to complications from cancer. He had appeared in the first two seasons of the Dallas revival before his untimely death.
“The last time I saw him, I was in Australia,” Barbara recalled. “He looked great, not at all sick. When I heard the news, it came as a real shock. Losing Larry after knowing him for over four decades was incredibly hard. He was more than just a colleague—he was a close friend.”
“Larry and I were meant to be together,” Barbara explained. “We clicked instantly. When he was feeling well, he was such a kind man. He truly was, and I loved him deeply.”
