Barbara Eden Cancels Festival Appearance After Sudden Illness

Actress Barbara Eden canceled her appearance at the Cinecon Classic Film Festival in Los Angeles at the last minute Saturday after becoming suddenly ill.

Eden, who turned 95 on Aug. 23, was scheduled to attend the festival on Sept. 5 and receive the Cinecon Legacy Award. Organizers announced shortly before her appearance that she would no longer be able to attend in person.

“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,” festival organizers said in a Facebook post.

The organizers added that Eden was disappointed to miss the event and had been looking forward to meeting fans and celebrating with them.

“We know how many of you were excited to welcome Barbara,” they said, while asking fans to join them in wishing the actress a speedy recovery.

The 62nd Cinecon Classic Film Festival is being held at Los Angeles’ Landmark Nuart Theatre from Sept. 3 through Sept. 7. The festival celebrates classic and nostalgic films and is being held at the theater for the first time this year.

Eden was not the only honoree unable to attend. Actress Anna Maria Alberghetti, 90, also missed the festival in person. Nancy Kwan and Lainie Kazan were among the other stars being recognized.

Despite Eden’s absence, her longtime co-star Pat Boone still paid tribute to her. Boone, 82, starred alongside Eden in the films All Hands on Deck in 1961 and The Yellow Canary in 1963. He attended a screening of All Hands on Deck and stayed afterward to sign autographs for fans.

Eden remains best known for playing the magical genie Jeannie in the hit 1960s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. The series followed an astronaut whose life changes after he discovers a bottle containing a 2,000-year-old genie.

Over her long career, Eden has also appeared in television shows including Harper Valley P.T.A. and How to Marry a Millionaire. Her film credits include Flaming Star, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and The Brass Bottle.

Despite being 95, Eden has said she is still interested in acting. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, she said she would consider taking on another role if the script was strong.

“If it’s well written, I’d probably do anything. If it’s well written,” Eden said.

When asked what kind of role might interest her, Eden revealed she would even consider playing a villain.

“I could be really mean,” she joked.