Barbara Eden shares the secret of her pregnancy from ‘I Dream of Jeannie’

Barbara Eden Reveals a Secret from “I Dream of Jeannie”

While reflecting on her time filming the first season of “I Dream of Jeannie,” Barbara Eden shared a personal tidbit that has remained under wraps for decades. Surprisingly, the beloved sitcom originally aired in black and white before transitioning to color, and Eden has now disclosed the reason behind this choice.

“I was going to have a baby,” Eden recently revealed. “They didn’t want to invest in color at first. I think they believed there might be complications, perhaps even thought I wouldn’t make it.” This insight sheds light on the concern surrounding the production during that time.

It had always been believed that showrunners were hesitant about the special effects and preferred to play it safe. However, the reality was more about concealing Eden’s pregnancy than technical limitations. “The same day I sold ‘Ginny’s Dream,’ the doctor informed me I was pregnant,” she explained. “It was exciting news, yes, but I was aware they would probably need to find a replacement.” Thankfully, Sydney Sheldon, the creator of the show, stepped in to manage the situation.

Eden welcomed her son, Matthew Ansara, on August 29, 1965. Just three months after the series premiered, the first color episode of “I Dream of Jeannie” aired on December 18, 1965. Eden starred in the show from 1965 to 1970.

Sadly, Ansara passed away in 2001 due to an accidental heroin overdose at the age of 35. Eden has opened up about the profound grief of losing her son, noting how they had struggled with infertility for years before his birth. “When Matthew was calm and happy, he was a beautiful person. Drug issues are, well, inexplicable,” she reflected.

In 2021, Eden spoke candidly about the heartache. “I don’t think there’s anything worse than losing your child,” she expressed. “The guilt and sadness linger. He was still my baby at 35.” She emphasized that discussions among parents facing similar struggles can be vital: “I think they should know that being firm with your kids isn’t wrong. Understanding their situation can lead to help, but ultimately, it’s their choice.”

Eden is conscious that the pain of losing a child may never truly go away. Instead of trying to “solve” that loss, she focuses on appreciating each day. “I’m fortunate. I have a wonderful support system, even a bratty dog!” she quipped.

Looking back on her career, especially on the 60th anniversary of “I Dream of Jeannie,” Eden noted she never felt overshadowed by her iconic role. “I enjoyed working on the show, and I was lucky to have opportunities alongside it, like performing in Las Vegas,” she added.

Reflecting on the show’s success, she suggested it was a combination of strong writing and a talented cast that created its magic. “There’s no single secret behind it. You could have great talent, but if the script isn’t there, it just doesn’t work. We were lucky.”