Barbara Eden, 95, Drops Out of Film Festival at the Last Minute Due to ‘Sudden Illness’
Barbara Eden, 95, Drops Out of Film Festival at the Last Minute Due to ‘Sudden Illness’
Nicholas RiceSun, September 6, 2026 at 1:26 PM UTC
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Barbara Eden in April 2026.Credit: Paul Archuleta/Getty -
Barbara Eden dropped out of the Cinecon Classic Film Festival at the last minute this weekend
Event organizers said the actress’ absence was “due to a sudden illness”
Eden, best known for her I Dream of Jeannie role, was set to receive the Cinecon Legacy Award at the event on Sept. 5
Barbara Eden dropped out of a film festival at the last minute this weekend due to a “sudden illness.”
The actress, 95, was scheduled to attend the Cinecon Classic Film Festival in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 5, but canceled her appearance shortly before she was scheduled to appear.
“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,” event organizers announced through a Facebook post.
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“Barbara is deeply regretful that she had to cancel at the last minute, as she had been very much looking forward to seeing everyone and celebrating with us,” they continued.
“We know how many of you were excited to welcome Barbara. We appreciate your understanding and join you in sending her our best wishes for a speedy recovery,” added the Cinecon Classic Film Festival.
The Cinecon Classic Film Festival’s social media statement.Credit: Cinecon Classic Film Festival/Facebook
The Cinecon Classic Film Festival, which honors nostalgic movies, celebrated the 62nd edition of its annual event this year.
Taking place at the Landmark Nuart Theatre from Thursday, Sept. 3 to Monday, Sept. 7, it marked the festival’s first time at the venue.
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Eden was set to receive the Cinecon Legacy Award at the event on Sept. 5. Others who were also being honored with achievements included Nancy Kwan, Anna Maria Alberghetti and Lainie Kazan. (Alberghetti, 90, was also unable to attend in person.)
Pat Boone — who starred opposite Eden in two films, 1961’s All Hands on Deck and 1963’s The Yellow Canary — still honored the actress as planned. (Boone, 82, stayed and signed autographs for fans after a screening of All Hands on Deck.)
Barbara Eden in June 2026, Barbara Eden in ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ circa 1967.Credit: Paul Archuleta/Getty; Silver Screen Collection/Getty
Eden is best known for her starring role as the title character in the 1960s I Dream of Jeannie, a sitcom that followed an astronaut who found a bottle containing a 2,000-year-old genie.
Some other major projects of Eden’s include TV shows such as Harper Valley P.T.A. and How to Marry a Millionaire, as well as film roles in movies including Flaming Star, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and The Brass Bottle, among others.
Eden, who turned 95 on Aug. 23, recently told Entertainment Weeklyshe is open to pursuing more acting roles.
“If it’s well written, I’d probably do anything. If it’s well written,” the actress told the publication.
As for a specific role she would like to pursue? Eden admitted she would be open to something villainous, stating, “I could be really mean.”
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