'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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Tags: barbara eden, i dream of jeannie

Comments

(300)

Monday 19 July

By V. Diaz

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

claudia...nothing is more tragic in life than losing a child...

By J

Barbara Eden was UNBELIEVABLY HOT in the '60s and still lovely now. And I bet she would have given it all up to have her son back. It is a testament to her character that she was able to survive an abusive husband and a string of tragedies with such dignity.

By Gordy

She had nice abs (perfect for a woman), not muscular but toned. The rest of her was perfect as well. I loved the show as a kid and still watch re-runs when I can.

By Lloyd

Well, Barbara Eden was as beautiful and sexy as a woman can get. She and Elizabeth Montgomery were a pair of very hot blondes from the 60's TV scene. For a young boy, they were just beautiful and fun to watch. I hope Barbara's last years are pleasant and rewarding. There's no reason not to like her and wish her well.

By jeantopete

Well, I want to write a book really really bad; and I am 71 - few years shy of Barbara - which makes me really really jealous because when I was 25, and she was 29, she looked so much bettr than me; sigh... the reason I want to write a book is because I like to write - but it doesn't mean I have any idea how to get it published; I think that everyone has a story to tell; everyone; so, with that, I'm off and into my "Word Program" to start my book. Wish me luck! Ha Ha!!! Seriously though, losing her child was horrible and to the one thing most of us as parents don't want to happen to our child. I have a 42 year old beautiful daughter who is 6 years clean after her drug addictions and alcohol that began when she was 14 years old. She lost her first born's father to his drug and alcohol addiction at 38 years old. Beautiful boy. Had a great future in the Navy - excelled at it. Unfortunately the drugs took him eventually. I don't take for granted at all that my child was able to turn her life around. The years were awful filled with pain at the misery the drugs caused to all concerned, her own children the most. She has moved on with a great understanding of her creator and the purpose in life she has found as someone who sees life without the drugs. Not easy. Have great admiration for those who clean up. Their's is a day-to-day life with the struggle always there. I'm sure at this point that Barbara has put it all to rest. Bless her heart for her story.

By zmzeke

Right on! She was and is still a lady. I hope all goes well with her book.

By JoJo

Vote down Vote up Report this

What a stupid snap poll question: "Should Mel Gibson move back to Austrailia?". Why the hell should he? He's an American and has every right to live here. With THAT logic, I guess the brainiacs creating the snap polls want Austrailia to revert back to a penal colony.

What a bunch of dummies.

Sunday 15 May

By Robert

I'm all for Mel Gibson staying here too. Now if Obama would talk about moving back to Kenya, I'd definitely be for that!!!

By Howard

Looking forward to reading her biography, but mostly for the happy times of her life. It should be a good guide for anyone who may decide to review their own past.

By Lisa

Who in the world wrote this piece? Did they even graduate high school? And which editor published it after his/her neglectful review? Both the writer and the editor should be fired...

Just two examples...
"details about her two failed marriage"
"son Matthew Ansara was born Sunday, August 29, 1965, during the of the first season"

Unacceptable.

Lisa

By JanetteMcCormack

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I picked up on this as well,maybe the writer and the editor are also on drugs??

By billyjack43

Barbara is the most talented,beautiful and perfect woman I have ever seen.
Great actress..
I would vote for her to be president..

Be well Barbara

Tuesday 20 July

By JimiB

I second that nomination!

By JAY

Barbra is beautiful person who made people happy wish her well.

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

ALL YOU ENGLISH MAJORS NEED TO GET A LIFE......

By Chris Vinson

Best of luck Barbara. You were charming then and you still are. Thanks for all the great entertainment.

By Chris

How about proof reading your work before publishing it. It's very annoying to read articles with so many mistakes.

By ENID

hey just for the record, i'm very young and Ikno about the show she used 2b in "I Dream Of Jeanie"
it was a cute show and i hav i think the 1st season on DVD
not all the young ppl of my generation are ignorant, jus sayin
dont tell me my grammar sux, im typin this quik & its easier to shorten things up
I can spell perfectly fine when it's necessary.

By MEW

It is actually necessary any time your writing for all to see and read...

By Sally G

MEW:
I was agreeing with you until you used “your” for “you’re”: I could tell that ENID was using “text language”; I don’t appreciate it in a public forum that has no limitations on characters, but if you are going to criticize, please proofread first! :)

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