Watch: I Dream of Jeannie’s Barbara Eden Pulls Out of Appearance Due to “Sudden Illness”
Barbara Eden is taking a step back.
Shortly before the I Dream of Jeannie star, 95, was set to appear at theCinecon Classic Film Festival in Los Angeles Sept. 5, the event organizers provided an update.
“We’re sorry to share that, due to a sudden illness, Barbara Eden will no longer be able to appear in person at Cinecon tonight,” they wrote in a statement shared to Facebook Sept. 5. “Barbara is deeply regretful that she had to cancel at the last minute, as she had been very much looking forward to seeing everyone and celebrating with us.”
And even though Eden—who was the recipient of the Cinecon Legacy Award—wasn’t able to make it, festival organizers shared her All Hands on Deck and The Yellow Canary costar Pat Boone would accept the honor on her behalf.
“We know how many of you were excited to welcome Barbara,” they added. “We appreciate your understanding and join you in sending her our best wishes for a speedy recovery.”
Eden’s latest honor comes as she’s continued to expand her 70-year career in television and film. In fact, she recently noted she had no plans to slow down anytime soon, especially if the role felt right.
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“If it’s well written,” she told Entertainment Weekly in August, “I’d probably do anything. If it’s well written.”
Among one of her most treasured roles to date? For Eden, I Dream of Jeannie is one that still feels like magic to this day.
“The amount of happiness and warmth I feel when I think about ‘Jeannie’ is immeasurable,” she shared on Instagram last September. “Working with Larry [Hagman], Hayden [Rorke], Billy [Daily], Emmaline [Henry]… it was a such a magical time. I never would have thought, that Jeannie would still be with me, always, right over my shoulder after all these years. Yet, she’s still there! I wouldn’t have it any other way!”
Indeed, Eden considers her memorable role to be a “blessing.”
“As an actor, you know there is always a chance that any role you play might ‘stick’ to you long after you’ve moved on,” she continued. “I am so fortunate that Jeannie was such a good character to be ‘stuck’ with. I really like her and I truly love how much she’s meant to so many for such a long time.”
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