Barbara Eden

'Barbara Eden' (qv), born Barbara Jean Morehead in Tucson, Arizona, became one of America's most endearing and enduring actresses. A graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School in San Francisco, California, Eden would go on to study at San Francisco's City College as well as the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Elizabeth Holloway School of Theatre. While her aspirations as a singer motivated her during her early years for a career in music, it was her starring role in the NBC TV comedy series, _I Dream of Jeannie (1965)_ (qv) where 'Barbara Eden' (qv) immediately gained international acclaim.Although most remembered for her role as "Jeannie", 'Barbara Eden' (qv) has starred in more than 20 theatrical feature films and made-for-television films for at least four different movie studios: 20th Century Fox, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Columbia Studios, and Universal Studios, most notably in the film _Flaming Star (1960)_ (qv), when she acted as 'Elvis Presley' (qv)'s leading lady. Other films in which 'Barbara Eden' (qv) had a leading role were _Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961)_ (qv), _The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962)_ (qv), _Five Weeks in a Balloon (1962)_ (qv), _7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964)_ (qv) and _The Brass Bottle (1964)_ (qv). The Brass Bottle comedy movie led to 'Sidney Sheldon' (qv)'s creation of _I Dream of Jeannie (1965)_ (qv) comical TV series.In television, Eden made her first featured appearance on _I Love Lucy: Country Club Dance (1957)_ (qv), as the series was nearing cancellation (there were just two more episodes). Eden immediately landed a starring role in the television version of _How to Marry a Millionaire (1957)_ (qv), where she portrayed the same character role originated by 'Marilyn Monroe' (qv). Another memorable appearance came on _The Andy Griffith Show: The Manicurist (1962)_ (qv), featuring her in the character role, special guest-star, as well as her occupation being titled.In 1965, 'Barbara Eden' (qv) was cast the leading role in 'Sidney Sheldon' (qv)'s NBC sitcom, _I Dream of Jeannie (1965)_ (qv). It televised weekly, for five successful and humorous seasons with 139 episodes. After "Jeannie," 'Barbara Eden' (qv) went on to star in many other comical and family productions including _Harper Valley P.T.A. (1978)_ (qv) and _Chattanooga Choo Choo (1984)_ (qv) among other numerous highly rated made-for-television movies well into the 1990s. She has also acted in multiple western series and thrillers.Outside of her film and television works, 'Barbara Eden' (qv) headlined major hotel resorts and casinos including Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City and Las Vegas. She also was the star attraction at the MGM Grand, Harrah's, Caesar's Palace and on concert stages and legitimate theaters across the country.Utilizing her singing ability, Eden released an album titled "Miss 'Barbara Eden' (qv)" in 1967, for record company, Dot Records. She has also been a musical guest star in a wide range of variety television shows. Eden's appearances included 21 'Bob Hope' (qv) special shows, along with _The Carol Burnett Show (1967)_ (qv), _The Jonathan Winters Show (1967)_ (qv), _The Sonny and Cher Show (1976)_ (qv), _The Jerry Lewis Show (1963)_ (qv), _This Is Tom Jones (1969)_ (qv), _Tony Orlando and Dawn (1974)_ (qv), and _Donny and Marie (1975)_ (qv).During the Persian Gulf War, she traveled with 'Bob Hope' (qv) to the middle-east to perform for the combat troops and then continued on with Hope in a whirlwind eight-day, around-the-world USO tour entertaining servicemen during the Christmas season.To celebrate the 2002 Yuletide season, she responded to an invitation from President 'George Bush' (qv); Barbara journeyed to Washington D.C. and sang "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" at the annual White House "Lighting of the National Christmas Tree" event where she also hosted the show and pageant with President and Mrs. Bush for an audience of 6,000 cheering fans on the Ellipse near the White House.A multi-talent, Eden starred in the national touring musicals _The Sound of Music (1965)_ (qv) and _Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1998)_ (qv). In the latter production, she played Lorelei Lee, the character created on Broadway by 'Carol Channing' (qv) and performed by 'Marilyn Monroe' (qv) in the 20th Century Fox film version. Eden also toured vastly in various stage productions like 'Neil Simon' (qv)'s _Last of the Red Hot Lovers (1972)_ (qv), _The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)_ (qv), _Annie Get Your Gun (1967)_ (qv), _Wild Pacific (2009)_ (qv) and _Nite Club Confidential (1996)_ (qv). In the play "Love Letters," Eden reunited with her _I Dream of Jeannie (1965)_ (qv) co-star, 'Larry Hagman' (qv). The duo toured metropolitan and major cities, across the United States. Eden starred in 'Neil Simon' (qv)'s "The Odd Couple: Female Version", and "Social Security" (1985). She has also been seen in TV series like, _All Star Blitz (1985)_ (qv), _Entertainment Tonight (1981)_ (qv) and _Larry King Live (1985)_ (qv).In 2011, Crown Archetype, a division of Random House, published Barbara's memoir, "Jeannie Out of the Bottle," which debuted at number 14 on the New York Times Best Seller List and on Australia's Best Seller List, published there by Harper-Collins, Inc. The autobiography chronicle's Eden's colorful life and remarkable Hollywood career that spans more than 50 years.One of Hollywood's busiest actresses, Barbara filmed a starring role in _Always and Forever (2009)_ (qv), a movie filmed by and for the Hallmark Channel. The move was televised numerous times during the year it was filmed and released. On the road, she hosted productions of _Ballets with a Twist (1996)_ (qv), the new groundbreaking show that stars rotating celebrity emcees and dancers from _Dancing with the Stars (2010)_ (qv). 'Barbara Eden' (qv) has appeared recently in a recurring role on Lifetime's _Army Wives (2007)_ (qv) series, guest-starred on ABC's _George Lopez (2002)_ (qv), and enacted a recurring role on _Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996)_ (qv). During her long career, Barbara has starred in 25 feature films, five network TV series and 19 top-rated network made-for-television movies.Barbara has been featured in TV commercials for Old Navy, AT&T, and she introduced the Lexus SUV, which was later named Car of the Year by Motor Trend Magazine.People Magazine named Barbara "One of America's 200 Greatest Pop Icons of the 20th Century." She has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7003 Hollywood Boulevard near the front of the world famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre. She was named one of TV Guide's Most Popular Comedy Stars and has received Lifetime Achievement 'Awards' (qv) from the Broadcasters Hall of Fame, The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and the TV Land Television Network.When there is time in her crowded schedule, Eden works actively on behalf of numerous charities including The Trail of Painted Ponies Breast Cancer Research, American Cancer Society, the Wellness Community, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association, Save the Children and Childhelp USA.'Barbara Eden' (qv) resides with her architect/real estate developer husband Jon Eicholtz in the Benedict Canyon area of Beverly Hills.::Patterson Lundquist