'I Dream of Jeannie' Star Barbara Eden Reflects on Longevity as Celebrates 92nd Birthday
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Barbara Eden just turned 92 on Aug. 23 and has plenty to celebrate.
In a new interview with People to commemorate her birthday, the I Dream of Jeannie star reflected on the longevity of her career and how her passion for acting led to her success.
"All through the years, I've noticed that many people don't realize what a joy it is and what a gift it is to be able to work in an arena that you really love," she said. "So many people have to work in jobs they hate, and they have to do it just for sustenance, but aren't we lucky when we can study for something, enjoy it and know that other people enjoy it? I think that's a gift that life gives us, if we are willing to work for it."
While Eden hasn't taken much acting work in the past decade, she attends many fan conventions, where she's able to connect with those who've followed her work throughout the years.
She's currently scheduled to make appearances at the Rhode Island Comic Con, Hazzard Fest, and Christmas Con. Additionally, she'll host her own fan event "Barbara Eden - On the Magic Carpet," where she will show never-before-seen film clips and have a Q&A.
"They're the best fans in the whole world," she told People. "They're very well-read. They're good, nice people. When I get up on the big stage, I speak, and then I do the Q&A, I'm sometimes surprised. They know more than I do about my work!"
Some fans have managed to stand out more than others.
"There’s one young man who comes quite often to the conventions," Eden explained. "Then a question will come up, and I don't know the answer, and I say, 'Well, will you ask Bernard, please? He’ll know.' And he does. He knows exactly the day, the date, everything."
Another fan had the chance of a lifetime—becoming her friend. "I have a dear friend who started out as a fan, but now he and his husband are my dear friends,” she shared. "I was in Germany last fall at one of these conventions, he was there, because I was there. He took us to a Christmas [fair], and we had hot wine and went out to dinner. It was quite beautiful and cold, and they stayed with me the whole weekend. It was just wonderful."
As for how she's celebrating her birthday, Eden shared that she had dinner with husband Jon Eicholtz and close friends at a Beverly Hills steakhouse. The couple also had family over at their home for lemon meringue pie, accompanied by Eden's labradoodle Bentley.
Next: 'I Dream of Jeannie' Actress Barbara Eden Seems to Be Aging Backwards in Stunning Red Carpet Shots
