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Barbara Eden Reveals Untold Stories From the ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ Set!

Closer Staff

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LOS ANGELES - 2016: Actress Barbara Eden poses for a portrait in 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry Langdon/Getty Images)

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of I Dream of Jeannie, actress Barbara Eden has exclusively revealed untold stories from the iconic show's set!

"When that camera started rolling, It was just heaven," the 85-year-old star told Closer Weekly in a recent interview.

But it didn’t start out that way. "Larry [Hagman] said I scared him to death!" Barbara recalled to Closer of their first rehearsal together. "I threw my arms around his neck and said, 'Oh, Master!' And he was like, 'What is this woman doing?'"

MORE: 'I Dream of Jeannie' Star Barbara Eden Conjures Up Her Ideal Beverly Hills House! (EXCLUSIVE)

"In one case, Larry was sitting on the sofa and I had to jump in the air and land on it with my hand under my chin. We rehearsed it and it worked beautifully," she said. But when it came time to film, she landed on Larry’s knee and cracked a tooth! "Oh, it was awful! Blood all over the place… We didn’t do anything like that again," she added.

barbara eden getty images

Barbara on I Dream of Jeannie in 1967.

Stunts aside, Barbara and Larry — who sadly died at age 81 in 2012 — had a great working relationship. "We were always on the same wavelength as far as truth and honesty and acting were concerned," Barbara told Closer Weekly.

MORE: Never Before Seen Photos and Untold Secrets From the Set of 'The Golden Girls' (EXCLUSIVE)

Both Barbara and Larry were unhappy with the network’s decision to have their characters wed in a 1969 episode. "It killed the show," the actress confessed.

barbara eden getty images

Barbara in 2012.

I Dream of Jeannie previously aired for five seasons on NBC from September 1965 until May 1970. Prior to landing the coveted role as lovable, 2,000-year-old genie Jeannie, Barbara made her showbiz debut at age 25 as a semi-regular on The Johnny Carson Show in 1956. She later appeared on popular shows including I Love Lucy, Gunsmoke, The Andy Griffith Show, and Route 66, just to name a few!

MORE: Untold Stories from 'SNL 40' — Find Out What Went on Behind the Scenes!

Today, Barbara is mostly retired from acting, though she often steps out to meet I Dream of Jeannie fans at events — how fun!

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