Financial advice rubs Barbara Eden the right way
By Larry Getlen • Bankrate.com

Barbara Eden created what is surely one of television's great icons. The title character of "I Dream of Jeannie" was America's fantasy woman from 1965-1970, as viewers relished Eden's manipulative domestic dominance over her "master," Maj. Anthony Nelson, played by Larry Hagman. With the success of "Jeannie," it's easy to forget that she had a substantial career before and since.

Eden did her first film in 1956, when small parts in movies such as "Back From Eternity" and "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" led to almost 20 roles of various importance in films of various quality. After "Jeannie," Eden became something of a TV-movie queen and appeared or starred in several other series. These included "Harper Valley P.T.A." and "Dallas," where she guest-starred opposite Hagman as an old flame of J.R. Ewing's out to settle a score.

In addition to her vast TV career and the movies, Eden has also spent much time on stage, most recently as Florence Unger in an all-female version of Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple."

Speaking to her proves her to be as charming and friendly as one would expect from Jeannie. She dwells on the happy moments, is warm and almost bashful -- so it's jarring to hear of the tragedy that has marked her last year.

In June 2001, Eden's only child, 35-year-old Matthew Ansara, was found dead in his car of an accidental heroin overdose. Since then, Eden has spoken out frequently against the dangers of drugs and addiction, appearing on shows such as "20/20" to share her story.

Eden spoke with Bankrate about some of the business lessons she's learned throughout her career.

BANKRATE.COM: The type of money top performers make from sitcoms now is outrageous.

Barbara Eden: I think it's wonderful. They deserve every penny they're making.

Bankrate: During Jeannie, were you making money on that level?

Eden: Oh, it was peanuts. But I was very well paid for the time.

Bankrate: What type of money would top sitcom actors make back then?

Eden: Everything's relative. When I think about what my dad made working for the telephone company, my salary was outstanding. For actors who work six weeks a year, it's a good living.

Bankrate: You often hear about unscrupulous people trying to take advantage of young, successful performers. Did you encounter that?

Eden: No. My success came later. I truly was very well known before I did Jeannie. I did a lot of feature films. And, I was married to a man who was no dummy, and a good actor. After I got Jeannie, I acquired a manager, but that was only because I spread out to other things. I needed a manager to hold the fort for all the different things I was doing. It wasn't just acting. So I didn't have that problem. But also, I did a film -- two films, actually -- with Peter Lorre, and I would always have lunch with him. He would talk to me like a Dutch Uncle. He would say to me, "At this time in my life, I shouldn't have to be working. I should be able to take it easy now." But, he said, "I trusted a business manager, he was my friend, and I gave him power of attorney." He said to never, ever let anyone sign your checks but you. Know exactly what's going on. Make your own mistakes. I knew that, but it was good to hear it from someone, and it stayed with me through the years.

Bankrate: So you always had good financial advice?

Eden: I have tried to, yeah.

Bankrate: Are you into investing?

Eden: No. I'm in bonds. I've been in munis all my life. I don't gamble. My husband (Los Angeles developer Jon Eicholtz) gambles. He follows the stock market, he has his own money, he does with it as he wishes. But I don't think actors should do that because our business is gambling. We never know when we're going to work. Although I've been very lucky, as people point out to me. I have always had an income. I always worked. But actors, in general, I don't think you should. I think you should be very conservative and cautious.

Bankrate: So you never got into the whole tech stock craze?

Eden: Never. My retirement fund is a bit more of a maverick than my personal trust fund, but even that is T-Bills ... things like that.

-- Posted: April 18, 2002