Why ‘I Dream Of Jeannie’s’ Larry Hagman “Refused” To Talk With Barbara Eden

Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman captured viewers’ hearts with their onscreen chemistry on I Dream of Jeannie, but in real life, the actors did not always have the smoothest relationship. 

The comedy show I Dream of Jeannie aired from 1965 to 1970. During the show’s five seasons, Eden portrayed a 2000-year-old genie who falls in love with astronaut Major Tony Nelson, played by Hagman. While it is not a secret that Hagman could be challenging to work with behind-the-scenes, Eden admitted that there was a time her co-star gave her the silent treatment. 

? Today TV History: I DREAM OF JEANNIE Premiered 1965 NBC w/ @Barbara_Eden #LarryHagman. https://t.co/msOk6XFJk2 pic.twitter.com/sP7wM7hmkg

— TV Tango (@TVTango) September 18, 2016

Shortly after the actors’ characters tied the knot on the show, both Eden and Hagman knew the show was on its deathbed. In Eden’s book, Jeannie Out of the Bottle, the actress revealed that Hagman handled the stress of the show ending by isolating himself. The actor also stopped speaking to Eden. 

“He now spent most of his time hiding in his trailer,” Eden wrote. “He flatly refused to talk to me or anyone else. Not the most congenial way in which to co-star in a comedy series.”

Tony and Jeannie! #IDreamOfJeannie #LarryHagman #BarbaraEden pic.twitter.com/yUQcKJyd3t

— I Dream Of Jeannie (@TonyandJeannie) January 26, 2015

Despite the friction between the co-stars, Eden has a fondness for her role on the show. For more on Eden and her iconic character, check out the video below.