Sixties television icon Barbara Eden may have grown up in San Francisco before taking her career to Hollywood, but the 91-year-old actress still views her native 蜜柚直播 with much fondness.
鈥淚 was born there but my family left when I was around 3,鈥 Eden recalled from her home in Los Angeles. 鈥淚 remember our house was right next door to an empty lot with a horse on it, but that鈥檚 about all. Then we moved to El Paso, Texas, to live with my grandma and grandpa, and my mother remarried before we relocated to California. I love San Francisco, but I鈥檝e always felt 蜜柚直播 was my home and have been back over the years. Even as a little girl growing up, I knew that鈥檚 where I was from.鈥
Eden鈥檚 mother was born in El Paso and later moved to 蜜柚直播, but then the Depression hit.
鈥淢y grandfather was a contractor 鈥 a builder,鈥 she said. 鈥淗e moved to 蜜柚直播 because he was building a high school, which I think is still there. But after the Depression, it was probably for financial reasons that we left for Texas.鈥
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Growing up in San Francisco, young Barbara had dreams of becoming a singer, spending two years at the local Conservatory of Music and taking singing engagements with bands around the Bay Area. But after moving to LA in the early 1950s, her stunning beauty, charm, and talent inevitably led to Hollywood.
Best known for her role as the magical genie in the popular NBC 60s sitcom 鈥淚 Dream of Jeannie,鈥 Eden has delighted fans of the series with appearances at TV conventions and Hollywood autograph shows for decades. On March 31, she will present 鈥淥n the Magic Carpet鈥 in Newton, North Carolina, followed by an appearance in Clearwater, Florida, on April 2 (see for details).
鈥淚鈥檒l be interviewed on stage, show clips of my film and TV career, and take lots of audience questions,鈥 Eden explained. And while some actors who became closely associated with one standout role occasionally distanced themselves from that character, Eden never did.
鈥淲hy would I want to step away from it?鈥 she asked. 鈥淚鈥檓 lucky to have very polite fans and have loved meeting them over the years in so many cities.鈥
Even before she soared to fame with 鈥淛eannie鈥 during the second half of the 60s, Eden was traveling the country a decade earlier promoting her first regular starring role in the late 50s TV series 鈥淗ow to Marry a Millionaire.鈥 Based on the successful 1953 movie of the same name starring Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable, Eden played the ditzy blonde Grable character, Loco, which led to her returning in her mid-20s to 蜜柚直播 for the first time since childhood.
鈥淚 was under contract to 20th Century Fox and we were on tour promoting the show,鈥 she explained. 鈥淥ne of the stops was at a theater in 蜜柚直播. In fact, I was there more recently, and the theater manager had a photo of the three of us (Eden, Merry Anders, and Lori Nelson) that was still in his office.鈥
While always most closely associated with 鈥淚 Dream of Jeannie,鈥 Eden鈥檚 entertainment career has been extensive and broad with over 25 film roles, appearances in numerous TV movies and series, and a vast stage career that includes touring major U.S. cities, including 蜜柚直播 in the beloved play, 鈥淟ove Letters,鈥 first performing it with 鈥淛eannie鈥 co-star Larry Hagman.
鈥淚t鈥檚 beautifully written and has this wonderful arc from childhood to death as you follow the two characters who are life-long friends,鈥 said Eden. 鈥淚 have done that with Hal Linden and Barry Bostwick as well as Larry. It鈥檚 funny, sad and has everything in it and is a joy to perform.鈥
Eden is also an author, releasing her best-selling autobiography 鈥溾 in 2012. Two years ago, she also published her first children鈥檚 book, 鈥淏arbara and the Djinn,鈥 which perhaps not surprisingly features a young girl named Barbara and yes, a genie.
鈥淭he little girl is the protagonist and magically travels to different places and meets different people learning what is most important in life, which is kindness and understanding,鈥 she explained. 鈥淚鈥檝e loved to read ever since I was 3 or 4 when my mother and aunt would read to me. I thought how sad that children today just look at their phones and computers, so I wanted to give them a book to hold that can take them on an adventure using their imagination.鈥
While she has no plans for more books, don鈥檛 be surprised to see Eden appearing on stage again.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 have any dates, but I鈥檇 love to do 鈥楲ove Letters鈥 again,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 gratifying that people still want to see me perform and hear me talk about my career.鈥
21 蜜柚直播ans who have made a splash in Hollywood
Rex Allen
Rex Allen was in this 1950's television show "Frontier Doctor," along with numerous Disney movies.听
Former resident of 蜜柚直播 who grew up on a homestead 40 miles north of Willcox, Allen died Dec. 17, 1999 after being run over in the driveway of his 蜜柚直播 home.
Why he's famous:听Arts 鈥 film, music 听
Notable accomplishment:听Allen, known as 蜜柚直播's cowboy, was an actor and a singer/songwriter. In addition to crooning country tunes, Allen starred in more than 30 movies, many of them with his beloved horse, Koko. He also starred in his own television series, "Frontier Doctor."听
Hailey Baldwin
Born in 蜜柚直播: Nov. 22, 1996听
Why she's famous: Model; Arts 鈥 tevevision听
Notable accomplishment:听 Baldwin is best known for her modeling career, as she has graced the covers of magazines like Vogue, W, and Harper's Bazaar. However, she also has made a brief cameo on Saturday Night Live and has appeared in multiple music videos.听
Her dad, Stephan Baldwin, was a well-known actor and her uncle, Alec Baldwin, is the star of 30 Rock and has often portrayed President Trump on Saturday Night Live.听
Mika Boorem
Mika Boorem, left, and Alexa Vega star in the film "Sleepover." Photo courtesy of MGM Pictures.听
Born in 蜜柚直播:听Aug. 18, 1987听
Why she's famous:听Arts 鈥 film 听
Notable accomplishment:听Boorem is most well known for her roles in the films "Blue Crush," "Sleepover" and "The Patriot."听
Brooke Burke
This July 27, 2012 file photo shows TV host Brooke Burke-Charvet at the "Dancing with the Stars: All Stars" panel at the Disney ABC TCA Day 2 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP, file)
Raised in 蜜柚直播:听Attended Sahuaro High School and Palo Verde High School
Why she's famous:听Arts 鈥 film, dance, television 听
Notable accomplishment:听Burke is known for winning season seven of "Dancing with the Stars" and later co-hosting the same show.听
Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford
Author Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford with her book 鈥淢iguel and the Amazing Alebrijes.鈥
Currently lives in 蜜柚直播听
Why she's famous:听Arts 鈥 writer听 听
Notable accomplishment:听听Capin Rivera-Ashford collaborated on projects for the Pixar film "Coco" with her son, Aar贸n Rivera-Ashford, of Los Angeles. They both also worked on her latest book, 鈥淢iguel and the Amazing Alebrijes,鈥 which is a related adventure book for 鈥淐oco.鈥
She also wrote the Spanish translation for the 鈥淐oco鈥 related adventure book 鈥淢iguel and the Grand Harmony鈥, written by Matt de la Pe帽a.
Kaylee DeFer
Actress Kaylee DeFer attends a special screening of "Young Adult" hosted by the Cinema Society and Dior on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)听
Born in 蜜柚直播:听Sept. 23, 1986听
Why she's famous:听Arts 鈥 film/television听
Notable accomplishment:听DeFer is most well known for her role as Ivy Dickens on the television series "Gossip Girl."听
Barbara Eden
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, left, delivers a speech next to U.S. actress Barbara Eden during the opening ceremony of the 21st Life Ball in front of city hall in Vienna, Austria, on Saturday, May 25, 2013. The Life Ball is a charity gala to raise money for people living with HIV and AIDS. (AP Photo/Hans Punz)
Born in 蜜柚直播:听Aug. 23, 1931听
Why she's famous:听Arts 鈥 film/television 听
Notable accomplishment:听Eden is most well known for her role as Jeannie on the television series "I Dream of Jeannie."听
Savannah Guthrie
FILE - In a Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011 file photo provided by NBC, "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie appears on the set during a broadcast, in New York. (AP Photo/NBC, Peter Kramer, File)
Lived in 蜜柚直播: Moved to 蜜柚直播 when she was 2.听Attended Amphitheater High School and the University of 蜜柚直播.听
Why she's famous:听Journalism 鈥 TV personality 听
Notable accomplishment:听Guthrie is known for her role as a co-anchor on the TV news show "Today."听
Dominic Janes
Dominic Janes.
Born in 蜜柚直播:听Feb. 11, 1994听
Why he's famous:听Arts 鈥 film/television 听
Notable accomplishment:听Janes is known for his role as the younger version of Dexter on the television series "Dexter."听
Ben Patrick Johnson
Ben Patrick Johnson. Photo by Eric Raptosh / photo courtesy of Ben Patrick Johnson
Born in 蜜柚直播:听June 30, 1969听
Why he's famous:听Arts 鈥 voice-over artist 听
Notable accomplishment:听Johnson has lent his voice to many television programs during his career, including serving as the announcer for the television series "Judge Joe Brown."听Before you say you've never heard of Ben Patrick Johnson, ask yourself the following: Do you watch Fox or CBS? Are you a fan of the NFL Network? Have you been to the movies at all within the last five years? If you answered yes to any of these questions, chances are you've caught Johnson's baritone promoting the next big feature film or upcoming season of "House" or "Fringe."听
Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson appears as Major Matthew Q. Shepherd in the syndicated television series "Soldier of Fortune, Inc." (AP Photo/Rysher Entertainment, Will McGarry)听
Born in 蜜柚直播:听Oct. 24, 1959听
Why he's famous:听Arts 鈥 film 听
Notable accomplishment:听Johnson is known for his role as "Ted Baker" in the 1989 Steven Spielberg-directed film "Always."听
Daniel Kennedy
Daniel Kennedy, 19, plays Lutz, the flamboyant valet to the prince in the UA production of "The Student Prince" on June 18, 2003.听
Born in 蜜柚直播:听Oct. 24, 1983听
Why he's famous:听Arts 鈥 television 听
Notable accomplishment:听Kennedy is known for his role as "Pete Cortlandt" on the television series "All My Children."听
Gavin MacIntosh
Gavin MacIntosh arrives at the 2015 Radio Disney Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Saturday, April, 25, 2105 in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Salangsang/Invision/AP)
Born in 蜜柚直播:听March 22, 1999听
Why he's famous:听Arts 鈥 television 听
Notable accomplishment:听MacIntosh is known for his role as "Connor Stevens" on the television series "The Fosters."听
Taryn Manning
Actress Taryn Manning attends the PaleyFest: Made In NY - "Orange Is The New Black" panel discussion at The Paley Center for Media on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)听
Born in 蜜柚直播:听Nov. 6, 1978听
Why she's famous:听Arts 鈥 film/television 听
Notable accomplishment:听Manning is known for her role as Tiffany Doggett on the Netflix television series "Orange Is the New Black," for her role as Janeane in the film "8 Mile" and for her role as Ellen Martin in the film "A Lot Like Love."听
Lee Marvin
Lee Marvin
Former resident of 蜜柚直播听
Why he's famous: Arts听鈥 film/television 听
Notable accomplishment: 听Marvin听won an Oscar in 1965 for his role in "Cat Ballou."听The tough-guy actor who owned a home in the Foothills and died in 蜜柚直播 in 1987, banged around town in a pickup truck - one frequently headed either for a hardware store or the dump.听Neighbor Jane Loew Sharples remembers the time Marvin pulled weeds in her front yard. The actor shied away from most public appearances in 蜜柚直播, the exception being annual fundraisers for wildlife rehabilitator Sarah Gorby.
Larry Pine
"The Grand Budapest Hotel" is nominated for Best Picture in the 87th Academy Awards. Ralph Fiennes (left) and Tony Revolori star in "The Grand Budapest Hotel." (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Born in 蜜柚直播:听March 3, 1945听
Why he's famous:听Arts 鈥 film听
Notable accomplishment:听Most recently, Pine played "Mr. Mosher" in the film "The Grand Budapest Hotel."听
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt signs autographs at 蜜柚直播's Symphony Cotillion Ball on Nov. 23, 1977. Photo by Lew Elliott / 蜜柚直播 Citizen
Born in 蜜柚直播:听July 15, 1946听
Why she's famous:听Arts 鈥 music 听
Notable accomplishment:听Ronstadt was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2014. She has also earned 11 Grammy Awards.听
In July 2014, President Obama presented Ronstadt with one of 12 2013 National Medals of Arts and Humanities.
One of Ronstadt's most well-known albums is "Heart Like a Wheel," released in 1974.
Garry Shandling
Garry Shandling, host of the 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000. (AP Photo/Mark J.Terrill)听
Lived in 蜜柚直播:听Attended Palo Verde High School听
Why he's famous:听Arts 鈥 film 听
Notable accomplishment:听Shandling won an Emmy Award for outstanding writing for a comedy series in 1998 for "The Larry Sanders Show."听
Martin Spanjers
Martin Spanjers, 11, a 蜜柚直播an, on Sept. 11, 1998.听
Born in 蜜柚直播:听Feb. 2, 1987听
Why he's famous:听Arts 鈥 film/television 听
Notable accomplishment:听Spanjers is known for his role as "Rory Hennessy" on the television series "8 Simple Rules." He's also appeared on television shows such "Grey's Anatomy," Malcolm in the Middle" and "True Blood."听
Kate Walsh
Kate Walsh arrives at the 16th annual GQ "Men of the Year" party in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Lived in 蜜柚直播:听Attended Catalina Magnet High School and Rincon High School
Why she's famous:听Arts 鈥 film/television 听
Notable accomplishment:听Walsh is best known for her role as Dr. Addison Montgomery in the TV shows "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice."听
Parker Young
Parker Young, a cast member in the new television series "Enlisted," poses at the premiere screening of the show on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014, at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Born in 蜜柚直播:听Aug. 16, 1988听
Why he's famous:听Arts 鈥 television 听听
Notable accomplishment:听Young attended Catalina Foothills High School in 蜜柚直播. He is known for his role as "Ryan Shay" on the television series "Suburgatory." He's also appeared in episodes of "Mad Men" and "CSI: NY" and starred in "Enlisted."
Here are some of the notable people celebrating birthdays today, including Barbara Eden, Jeremy Lin, Linda Thompson Rick Springfield, Woody Paul and more.
Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama and has written features, columns and interviews for numerous magazines and newspapers. See .
