'I Dream Of Jeannie' Star Barbara Eden Unbottles Her Tragic Life in Memoir

By PopEater Staff Posted Jul 19th 2010 04:30PM

Life isn't quite a fantasy for 'I Dream Of Jeannie' star Barbara Eden. Now 75, the actress is penning a tell-all memoir called 'Jeannie Out of the Bottle' that details her public and private tragedies that came with her Hollywood fame, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. The book will also include intimate details about her two failed marriage, how she survived an abusive cocaine-addicted husband and her "emotional breakdown" following the loss of her only son to drugs.

"Like Jeannie, I've been bottled up long enough -- it's time for me to pop the cork and talk about the amazing people I've been fortunate enough to meet along the way, and the highs and lows of my everyday living," Eden said in a statement.

A source tells the National Enquirer that she "longed for what she didn't have - a happy family life," and it will all finally be revealed in her memoir, which is due out next year.

Although Eden will mostly be remembered as a smiling, naive genie on the '60s sitcom 'I Dream Of Jeannie,' Eden's life has been a roller coaster. She was born in Tucson, Arizona, and her parents divorced when she was three. The Great Depression deeply affected her family, who were unable to afford many luxuries.

Her start in Hollywood came after she starred in a play with James Drury. Film director Mark Robson, who later directed her in the movie 'From The Terrace,' had come to the play and wanted her for 20th Century Fox studios. She went on to star in 'The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm and 'Swingin' Along.' Her last film for 20th Century Fox was 'The Yellow Canary' in 1963; she left due to budget cuts.

Her personal life was littered with several upsets as well. Eden has been married three times. She met actor Michael Ansara in October 1957, as part of a blind date arranged by her publicist. They married in 1958. But the marriage began to fall apart when Eden had difficulty conceiving and her first pregnancy in 1961 ended in miscarriage.

Her son Matthew Ansara was born Sunday, August 29, 1965, during the of the first season of 'I Dream of Jeannie.' In the book, Eden reveals Matthew started smoking pot at 10, then began shooting heroin. He eventually died on June 25, 2001 at age 35 from a drug overdose.

Her third pregnancy ended abruptly in 1971 when she delivered a stillborn baby six weeks before her due date. Ansara and Eden divorced in May 1974. At this point, Eden reveals she had "an emotional breakdown."

Eden was married to her second husband, Chicago Sun-Times executive Charles Donald Fegert, from September 1977 to 1983. She married her third and current husband, a Los Angeles real estate developer Jon Trusdale Eicholtz in 1991.

The book's title also implies the book will have its share of 'I Dream of Jeannie' stories and what it was like portraying a 2,000-year-old genie who shacks up with a Florida astronaut, played by actor Larry Hagman. Eden plans dish about her encounters with celebrities including Elvis Presley, Warren Beatty, Clint Eastwood, Marilyn Monroe and Lucille Ball, The Hollywood Reporter confirms.

While many of the books more juicy details haven't been revealed, Eden is nervous about the public's reaction. "Quite frankly, it scared the dickens out of me," Eden told The NY Times. "I was quite frightened of doing this. I've been asked several times, and it's daunting to talk about yourself. It gets to the soft spots inside you ... I'll just hold my nose and jump in."

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Comments

(300)

Monday 19 July

By KT

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I dream of jeannie ?? What century was this show made in ?? Is she related to Betty white ?? there both the same age.

By gary

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

betty white is 88. if you were growing up in the 60's, barabara eden was young and beautiful. wait till you get there

By Sandy

I love Barbara Eden, she is great! I plan on buying her book.

By Debbie

Hey KT, the show was in the 60's. An era where there was talented people to watch on TV and in the movies. Nothing like today when ANYONE can get a show.
No, Barbara is not related to Betty White. Barbara is 75 and Betty is 88.

And listen kid, one day, IF you're very lucky, you will grow to be that age. You WILL NOT stay young forever so watch what you say about age.

By terry

KT : And your point is. . . .?
If it's not something or somebody YOU remember, then it's not important??

By Adele

Well, I can tell you're from the younger generation because you CAN'T SPELL!!! It is "they're"=they are. Not "there", which is the opposite of here. Doofus Maybe lovely Barbara can help you with that.

By Oldebutgoodie

I might ask the same of you, plus what planet are you from? Everyone knows about this wonderful show. But perhaps people of your era can't relate if there is no foul language and sex and nudity. Too bad the only thing out there worth watching now days is Fox news and the weather chanel!

By Dayna

KT is a simpleton. I have seen his/her posts before. Always stupid - nothing to contribute....ever.

By sandy

Don't be an idiot. Everyone ages, even you.

By flemingers

At 75, I think it is time to live your life for the people you love and keep your dignity and privacy. A "tell all" from a "star" of the sixties? Ridiculous, simply ridiculous. At 61, I can't imagine anything more unsavory than dumping my life into the internet age.

By RAMBO

YOU KNOW DAMN WELL WHO SHE IS, YOU WOULD WANT HER IN YOUR BOTTLE, !

By william goode

Whoever wrote this blurb didn't live during the depression. There were NO LUXURIES for the average person.

By CTG

Idiot

By L.L. Cool John

KT - Too bad you didn't get to see some good TV shows. I remember Barbara Eden being so beautiful on a late 50s or early 60s episode of Andy Griffith. She played a manicurist that Floyd (the barber) employed. The men of Mayberry were lined up around the corner to get their nails done.

By veronica

Obviously you weren't fortunate enough to grow up in the 60's when some of the best shows were on TV. I Dream of Jeannie was one of them. Barbara Eden was sexy, funny and everyone looked forward to tuning in. Don't be obnoxious, kiddo. Go back and what Miley Cyrus on Disney channel, nothing better on - so sad.

By Sheryl

And WHY would YOU have a problem with THAT???? Appreciate the living history around you! you show your ignorance & your unappreciation with elderly with your statement. And also for things just because you don't know -- LEARN! GROW! BETTER YOURSELF! Instead of demeaning...

By Ivan Teran

Yes, she was too darn lovely. I had a tattoo of her engraved on my arm and she still looks grrreat on my arm. I think all of us guys had a crush on her in the 60's. The Lord has kept her adrift this far and will carry her all the way through life.

By Shep Muncie

Its too bad Betty's son Barry isnt around to see her enjoying life

Thursday 22 July

By Joe

This idiot called KT needs to go to back to school...lololol!!! young and idiot,,what a shame...and by the way in what century were you born???

By Raejean

What grade are you in, KT?

Barbara Eden was a beautiful woman in the 60s and she probably still is. Ditto Betty White, for that matter.

Your perspective is that of an under-educated person born last week. Word has it that the world was turning many, many years before you got here to bless us with your unqualified and unsolicited opinions.

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