“I Dream of Jeannie”’s Barbara Eden Denies Rumored Tension with “Bewitched’”s Elizabeth Montgomery (Exclusive)

Barbara Eden Silences Rumours of Discord with Elizabeth Montgomery (Exclusive)

Barbara Eden has recently spoken out exclusively to PEOPLE, refuting any claims of tension between herself and Elizabeth Montgomery during their time starring in I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched, respectively.

The 94-year-old actress clarified that the two only crossed paths in the early mornings at the Columbia Pictures lot while getting their makeup done. She mentioned that during those early hours, they were not engaged in lengthy conversations, stating, “We were not really Chatty Cathy at that time of the morning.”

Throughout the late 1960s, both iconic actresses led their successful sitcoms. Barbara Eden portrayed Jeannie in the NBC series, I Dream of Jeannie, which aired from 1965 to 1970, alongside Larry Hagman, Bill Daily, and Hayden Rorke. Simultaneously, Elizabeth Montgomery enchanted audiences as Samantha Stephens in the ABC series, Bewitched, which ran for eight seasons from 1964 to 1972, featuring Dick York, Dick Sargent, Agnes Moorehead, and David White in the cast.

Despite their high-profile roles, the alleged feud between the two actresses remains unsubstantiated. Elizabeth Montgomery passed away in 1995 after battling cancer at the age of 62, never addressing these rumours publicly.

In a recent interview with Fox News Digital on a Saturday morning, Barbara Eden reminisced about her time with Montgomery, expressing that she found her pleasant company despite their limited interactions due to their early morning schedules. She emphasized that their focus was primarily on work, with little time for personal conversations.

This is not the first time Barbara Eden has addressed these long-standing rumours. In 2013, she appeared in the Bewitched 60th Anniversary Special and shared that any perceived rivalry was a fabrication by the producers. She also mentioned that she and Montgomery bonded over shared experiences, such as being pregnant at the same time.

Barbara Eden welcomed her son, Matthew Ansara, in August 1965 with her then-husband, Michael Ansara. Tragically, Matthew passed away in 2001 at the age of 35. On the other hand, Elizabeth Montgomery had three children – Robert, William, and Rebecca – with her ex-husband William Asher, with two of them born just a year apart from Eden’s son.

As fans continue to speculate about the relationships between Hollywood legends, Barbara Eden’s candid statements shed light on the reality behind the scenes, showcasing a professional rapport between two iconic actresses of their time.

The legacy of Barbara Eden and Elizabeth Montgomery lives on through their timeless performances, reminding audiences of the talent and grace they brought to the screen during the golden age of television.