Barbara Eden Recalls Working With Elvis Presley And Larry Hagman, Claims They Had Chemistry

Barbara Eden reminisced pastimes working with Larry Hagman and the late King of Rock n Roll, Elvis Presley, detailing how well they got along during a recent chat with TV greats. With her I Dream Of Jeannie co-star, Larry, she already felt a spark between them from the moment he walked into the studio.

She was also really close with Elvis after they met on the set of Flaming Stars in 1960. Elvis allegedly made passes at her on the job, however, Eden denied the rumors saying they were just good friends. At the time, she married Michael Ansara, who was famous for playing Commander Kang in Star Trek: The Original Series.

Barbara Eden’s relationship with Larry Hagman

Eden recalled Hagman’s reaction when she once embraced him on set; although she intended it as a harmless, friendly gesture, he was startled and assumed something more to it. He undoubtedly had a soft spot for Eden, as he would get easily irritated with other colleagues but remained warm with her.

Hagman, who died from acute myeloid leukemia in 2012, was almost fired from playing Tony Nelson in I Dream of Jeannie, but Eden stood up for him and insisted he was worth it. The rest of the crew had issues with his perfectionism, but Eden thought it was admirable that he put his utmost best into everything.

Did Elvis and Barbara Eden date?

Elvis was famously involved with most of the ladies he worked with, including Anne Helm, and Ann-Margret, however, Eden says he never asked her out and gushed about Priscilla instead. He had just met Priscilla, who would become his wife years later, after leaving the army, and in Eden’s words, he was very happy.

Since Eden was married, Elvis confided in her about balancing his celebrity status with his brewing love life. At the time, he was worried about moving Priscilla from Germany to the U.S., but Eden assured him that they could make it work as a team. She recalled how much of a gentleman Elvis was, pulling out chairs for her and holding doors.