'I Dream of Jeannie' Icon, 93, Recalls Sexism She Faced in Hollywood
'I Dream of Jeannie' Icon, 93, Recalls Sexism She Faced in Hollywood originally appeared on Parade .
Barbara Edenhas seen a few things in her many decades of success in Hollywood.
But the legendary I Dream of Jeannie star, 93, recalled how challenging it was in her early days, particularly due to the sexism she faced. In a new interview on the June 17 episode of Jennie Garth's I Choose Me podcast, the TV icon recalled an executive telling her she needed bigger breasts to succeed.
"He knew my background. I told him everything, where I studied, what I did, how many plays I'd done, and I was a member of Actors Equity," she recalled. "And he looked at me and he said, 'You're just not Hollywood.' "
Eden continued, explaining how the man showed her a picture of his daughter.
"I just listened, and he said, 'This is what they want,'" pointing to the picture. "Big tits."
Eden went on to explain that the man told her she was "just not pretty enough. You're just not what they want.' "
(Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)(Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
Eden was devastated by the incident, but she didn't let it stop her from pursuing her dreams of success as an actress.
"I went back to my aunt and uncle's home, and then I cried. And then I thought, not everyone looks alike," she explained. "You need different characters for every play. What is going on here? I don't care. I'll be a character actress. I don't care if I'm not pretty enough."
Garth was pretty shocked by the incident, replying, "I've heard some stories, but I think that one tops it."
Eden, of course, went on to groundbreaking success. She played the role of Jeannie for five years and became a household name.
'I Dream of Jeannie' Icon, 93, Recalls Sexism She Faced in Hollywood first appeared on Parade on Jun 17, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
