Iconic I Dream of Jeannie star Barbara Eden, 94, worked with the legendary Elvis Presley on one film relatively early in her career. The pair’s Western film Flaming Star debuted in 1960, and all these years later, she still gushes over the actor when thinking about him.
Eden talked to People about her experience working with Presley. “I remember how good he was. He was a fine actor,” she recalled.
She added that his role in Flaming Star “was a part that required good acting, and he did it, boy.”
Not only does Eden rave about Presley, but she also shared, “The whole thing was a beautiful piece.”
“I just think people didn’t recognize or appreciate what a fine actor he was, and a lovely, lovely man.”
Barbara Eden, People
Eden also shared some tidbits about the experience of filming Flaming Star. She revealed she “didn’t make any money” with the movie’s initial release. She explained that, in part, that happened because Presley’s fans didn’t like that he didn’t sing in the film. It was not a big blockbuster.
Due to fans’ frustrations over the lack of singing, Eden and Presley reconnected to film an additional scene that was added to the movie. She joked, “It was supposed to be [me] dancing,” and showed Presley with his guitar as Eden was “hopping around the table.”
“I just loved working with him,” Eden recalled.
She remembered Presley having his father and friend visit them on the film set, and they would “play their guitars and sing in between shots.”
While appearing on a panel at the August 2022 Christmas Con, Eden further reflected on working with Presley. People noted that Eden called Presley “a delight, “fabulous,” and “so wonderful.”
Eden noted that Presley was “a gentleman” with her. She added that she “didn’t have a romance with Elvis like most of his leading ladies did.”
Their dynamic was not a romantic one, but Eden recalled that they talked a lot, and he would get her a chair when she came onto the set. “Actors don’t do that. You can sit on the floor, they don’t care,” she explained, pointing out how Presley was different.
She also recalled Presley mentioning “this girl in Germany” he had recently met, who would eventually become his wife, Priscilla Presley. “I’m not too sure, she’s awfully young,” Eden recalled the actor admitting at the time.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.