I Choose…Legendary Hollywood Lessons with Barbara Eden
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This is an iHeart Podcast. Hi, it's Jenny Garth. Feeling confident in my skin is non-negotiable, and that's why I choose Perricone MD. Their triple retinol renewal face and ice serums are my go-to. I use them every day, every night. I've seen such a difference in my skin. You might be thinking, can I use retinol in the summer? But I'm here to tell you that yes.

You can. I like to apply the retinol serums at night. Then I follow with a moisturizer and I never, ever forget that SPF during the day. Confidence starts with Perricone MD. Visit perriconemd.com and use code JENNY for 40% off your order for a limited time. That's perriconemd.com, code J-E-N-N-I-E. Okay, I love Third Love. For over a decade, they have been the leader in making the best bras on the market.

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ThirdLove thoughtfully designs solutions for every stage of your life. Visit thirdlove.com and use code podcast 15 for $15 off your order.

Hey there, Joel here. And I am Matt. We are from the How to Money podcast. Matt, summer is here. I could not be more excited for our annual family beach getaway together, my friend. Heck yeah, I'm excited as well. This year, we are taking our families on a joint vacation to St. Simons. This is off the coast of Georgia. That's right. The Atlantic coast. And we found an awesome Airbnb that's perfect for

For everyone, the kids that are excited about exploring the beaches and the historic St. Simon's Lighthouse, I want to check out the historic oak trees this year, too. Plus, we got a great pool at the Airbnb, which our kids are going to love. It is going to be a blast. I can't wait, man. And you know what?

That's what makes hosting in Airbnb so special. A stay at your place could be the highlight of someone else's vacation. So why not consider hosting your own home on Airbnb? With the co-host feature, it's easier than ever to manage your reservations and guests. Exactly, man. A co-host can handle everything for you, making hosting stress-free. Find a co-host at Airbnb.com slash host.

Summer weather is finally here, and so is Macy's Summer Style Sale. I'm talking 20 to 65% off. That sounds pretty hot to me. Grab some summer dresses from INC, a cute pair of sandals from Dolce Vita, and other top brands like French Connection and Steve Madden are also on sale, you guys. And if you're

And if you're planning on doing some hosting this summer, pick up the Cuisinart 12-piece cookware set and food processor. Shop the Macy's Summer Style Sale at macys.com or in store from June 19th through the 22nd. One thing about Chicago is it empowers you to want to live because it has so much love. If these walls could talk, they would say stability. They would say neighbors. They would say hope.

they definitely would say love. If these walls can talk, it would say family. JPMorgan Chase Community Development Banking understands that the buildings we invest in are more than just four walls. They are you. They are us. They are Chicago. You're listening to I Choose Me with Jenny Garland. Welcome back to I Choose Me, where we dive into the choices that shape our lives.

Today's guest is someone I've admired for decades and someone I had the chance to work with very early in my own journey here in Hollywood. In 1989, I starred alongside her in A Brand New Life, one of my very first TV shows, and it was an experience I will never forget. Barbara Eden is a Hollywood icon.

She starred opposite Elvis Presley, made memorable appearances on I Love Lucy, The Johnny Carson Show, Perry Mason, and Gunsmoke, just to name a few. I loved her work in How to Marry a Millionaire, the TV series.

So good. You should watch it. And of course, she became a cultural touchstone as Jeannie in I Dream of Jeannie. But behind the fame and sparkle is a woman who's made powerful, quiet choices throughout her life. Choices about identity, love,

resilience, and self-respect in an industry that hasn't always made those easy. She's also a New York Times bestselling author and most recently released a beautiful children's book called Barbara and the Gin. Today, we're going behind the curtain talking about what it really takes to build a life on your own terms and what Barbara's learned from a career and a life that

That has been anything but ordinary. Please welcome Barbara Eden to the podcast. Barbara, Barbara, Barbara, you have no idea how excited I am that you are sitting in front of me right now. I'm so happy to see you. Yeah, my daughter. It's been a minute. My daughter. My daughter. Mom.

Oh my gosh. We did Brand New Life together in 1989. Yeah. With Don Murray. With Don Murray. And I remember thinking, oh my God, I'm playing Barbara Eden's daughter. Yeah.

And I also remember thinking, oh my God, I'm like two degrees away from Marilyn Monroe because of Dawn and Bus Stop. Oh, yeah. You know, I was just like in awe every day at work. Yeah. You know, Marilyn and I had the same stand-in. You did. Because we were under contract to Fox. And she was the character. That is cool. It was fun. You just have no idea how you were...

Oh, thanks.

But I was just glued to you and I wanted to see how you did everything. And you, I always credit you as being the one who taught me how to have set etiquette. Like you were the gold star in my mind. And I always tried to live up to just being like Barbara on set. Because it makes me feel so good. Yeah, you were so warm and welcoming and professional.

And I just, I really look back on that time so fondly. I remember watching you. I remember watching in the makeup trailer, not to be creepy, but I remember just watching you get your makeup done and watching the whole process. And I remember you used to get makeup on your hands. And at the time I was 16, I thought, why are they putting makeup on her hands? And now that I'm 53, I know why.

Yeah, yeah. I get the hand makeup now. Well, I've always had to do that even younger. Really? Because my veins are very blue. Mm-hmm. My mother is. You're fair. I used to say, why, why, mommy, why do I, she'd say, you're a blue blood. Okay. That's an answer. But I don't like them. I know. It's so true. They are very blue. Mine too. Yeah, yeah. Well, nobody knows because we always have our hand makeup on.

Um, I, I know that when you were younger, you've had this incredible career that has spanned decades. I know that when you were younger, before Hollywood, you wanted to be a singer and you studied singing and acting. When you study acting, you do everything, you know, a little bit of this, a little bit of that. I've seen you dance, so you've got it. Well, thank you. I, I, uh,

I have done it, but I had very little training. It was really acting, theater. How did you know you wanted to be a performer? Well, it wasn't something I thought about a lot. We had a lot of music in our house. My grandfather had been with the opera company in San Francisco at the turn of the century, and he always had...

well, classical music in the house. My mother sang a lot and we'd sing together doing the dishes. And it just sort of evolved. I was in the choir at church and one of my mother's friends said she should study music.

And we didn't have a lot of money at that time. But she gave me a $100 bill. Wow. And said, go. At that time, that was a lot of money. Yeah. And that started me. And then I got a job and I could pay for my own lessons at the Conservatory of Music in San Francisco. Wonderful. And one day, I was singing at home. And my mom came in and said, Barbara,

You're singing every note perfectly, but you don't mean a word you're singing. I think you should study acting. Oh, that's so good. So I was, I think I was 14 or 15 at that time. So I, I, uh, did. And, uh,

It was so helpful, so helpful for the singing and for the everything, you know. The performing. I'm sure you, have you studied? I have studied, yes. I studied dance and acting, never singing.

Yeah. They see me never dancing. What was it that you broke through? What was it you said, I want to be in the business? How did that happen? How did you come to be in it? Oh, I just wanted to make a living. Okay. Good reason. This is what I was going to do to make my living right away. I mean, there was no question about it. My teacher, Miss Holloway in San Francisco,

after I'd been with her for about, oh, I don't know, through high school and one year of college. In fact, she was the one that said, stop, you don't need college. She said she gave credit anyway, you know, and said, stop, come full time and study. Because I was in there at night after school. So I did. I did that for a couple of years.

And then again, she had me in her office and Barbara, you have to get out of the nest. I said, oh, really? She said, yes. She said, you're too safe. At that time, I was singing with dance bands around the Bay Area. And I was a member of Actors' Equity. I had done a lot of theater. And she said, either go to New York or LA, but there's nothing more for you here.

And I didn't know anyone in New York. I had an aunt and uncle in San Marino, right down the hill from you. And that's where I went. So I went from one nest to another. Yes, but you got a taste of that independence. I did when another friend or new person I met here said, you have to move to the studio club.

San Marino isn't going to get you anywhere. Where was the studio club? The studio club was in Hollywood. Haven't you heard about it? No. Oh, it was wonderful. It was wonderful. It had been started by, oh God, I can't think of her name now, an actor in the 30s, actress. And she said, young women need a place to stay. Where...

It isn't expensive, and they can get started. Anyone in the industry, writers, secretaries, actresses, could live in this place, but it was pretty tough to get in. It was difficult. No men were allowed above the first floor, which is a big change for today. But you were with your contemporaries. You were with people who were in the field, and...

I know when there was an audition, we all raced out and auditioned for it. What was that like living in a home with women that were young actresses all wanting the same thing? It was wonderful. It was? Okay, good. It was wonderful, yeah. In fact, my roommate, Barbara Wilson, and I would go on this. She'd get an audition, and I'd go with her. I'd get one. She'd go with me, the two of us. Oh, that's so nice. It was amazing.

At one time, she was a brunette, beautiful, beautiful young lady. We went on the interview and they said, well, of course, these are very small parts I'm talking about. I'm not talking about starring in the role. And the director who was interviewing us said, well,

I guess I just have to take both of you. That paid off. Yeah, the two of us. We had a good time. It was wonderful. You always knew what was going on, you see. You were at the hub. You were right in the middle of it all. That sounds so fun. Well, they also gave you breakfast and dinner.

I rarely ate there because I was out in the street looking for work. But yeah, it was a wonderful place. I'm so sorry. The building is still there. But I guess no one wanted... Well, everything changes, doesn't it? Yeah. Yeah. Everyone wants their own little apartment. I...

I would rather have all the women around. Yeah, that sounds really fun. I can imagine how fun that must have been. You came up in a time when women in Hollywood were often cast as symbols. They were beautiful or they were charming, but they were rarely taken seriously as equals. Did you feel that? No. No, I didn't.

When I first came down, and I was still staying with my aunt and uncle, there's a man at Warner Brothers I was sent to meet. He was head of casting. And I talked to him. He talked to me. He knew my background. I told him everything, you know, where I studied, what I did, how many plays I'd done. And I was a member of Actors' Equity. You know, okay? And he looked at me and he said, you're just not Hollywood.

I said, you know, I'm a very young girl holding my gloves. And I just listened. And he said, this is what they want. He showed me a picture of his daughter with big tits. Wait a second. Well, I want to tell you, right now that doesn't seem like much. But then, I mean, my father, my uncles never said that word. No. I never heard that word in my life. But he said, but you're just not pretty enough.

It's just not what they want. So I went out to the car. My uncle had driven me. I didn't know how to drive when I came down here either. And holding back the tears, told my uncle what was said. He was ready to go back in and have words. But interestingly enough, like eight months later...

I was going to the coach at Warner Brothers. He had seen me somewhere and said, work with me. And I said, okay. And so I would go on the lot. And one day I was walking to where I was going to study. And I heard, hey, hey, you, hey. And I

couldn't pay attention because first of all, I wasn't under contract there. And I thought he's going to throw me, somebody's going to throw me out. He said, you with the yellow pants. I had yellow pants on. That was you. And I turned around and it was that man. He should be nameless. I know his name. It's forever. Yeah. He said, are you going up to so-and-so's room for the class? I said, yes, I am. He said, we're going to test you.

The same man that told me I wasn't pretty enough. I didn't have big tits. What blows me away about that story is not that he said big tits. It's that he showed you a picture of his daughter. Yeah. That just, there's no, I can't wrap my head around that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well. Wow. And look at you. So now he's ready to test you. Yeah. Just the same person. It's interesting. I mean, yeah.

Yes, you were so young and so fresh to the biz, the Hollywood biz. Hollywood, yeah. I mean, that must have been pretty devastating. It must have gotten in your head a lot. Oh, it did. I went back to my aunt and uncle's home and then I cried. Yeah. And then I thought, not everyone looks alike. You need different characters for every play. What

What is going on here? I don't care. I'll be a character actress. I don't care if I'm not pretty enough. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That is just crazy. I've heard some stories, but I think that one tops it. Hi, it's Jenny Garth. Feeling...

Feeling confident in my skin is non-negotiable, and that's why I choose Perricone MD. Their triple retinol renewal face and eye serums are my go-to. I use them every day, every night. I've seen such a difference in my skin. You might be thinking, can I use retinol in the summer? But I'm here to tell you that yes.

You can. I like to apply the retinol serums at night. Then I follow with a moisturizer and I never, ever forget that SPF during the day. Confidence starts with Perricone MD. Visit perriconemd.com and use code JENNIE for 40% off your order for a limited time. That's perriconemd.com, code J-E-N-N-I-E. Okay, I have to tell you about something.

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Summer weather is finally here, and so is Macy's Summer Style Sale. So this is your chance to save some money while updating your summer wardrobe. You know I love a good deal. I'm talking 20 to 65% off. That sounds pretty hot to me.

Grab some summer dresses from INC, a cute pair of sandals from Dolce Vita, and other top brands like French Connection and Steve Madden are also on sale, you guys. And the deals don't end there. Stay cool at night with some summer-friendly bedding by Hotel Collection. And if you're planning on doing some hosting this summer, pick up the Cuisinart 12-piece cookware set and food processor.

Shop the Macy's Summer Style Sale at macys.com or in store from June 19th through the 22nd. One thing about Chicago is it empowers you to want to live because it has so much love. If these walls could talk, they would say stability. They would say neighbors. They would say hope.

They definitely would say love. If these walls can talk, it would say family. JPMorgan Chase Community Development Banking understands that the buildings we invest in are more than just four walls. They are you. They are us. They are Chicago. Summer is the season of love.

Summer Lovin', here we come. If you're old enough to remember Summer Lovin', you're old enough to find an I Do Part Two. Listen each week as our hosts make it their goal to find you the next true love of your life. Jenny Garth, Jana Kramer, Alexia Napola, Cheryl Burke, Jen Fessler, Kelly Ben Simone, Amy Robach, and TJ Holmes are dedicated to helping you fall in love.

Again, it's time to make it hot, hot, hot this summer. Listen to I Do Part 2 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Okay, so how did you choose to hold on to your identity in the face of that story and when everybody was trying to define you by your looks? I don't think I noticed it. You know, I began to get small roles. And then...

The real breakthrough for me was the Laguna Theater. I did a play there with John Drury. I don't know if you remember John Drury. He was very popular. And it's a two-person play. So if they came to see John, they came to see me too. And by the way, I found out about it through the Hollywood Studio Club because I

Several of the girls said, you know, John's looking for someone to do this with him. And nobody wants, no one wanted to do a play. Well, that was, you know, I was raised on them and that was equity. So I said, okay, I'll do it. I'll do it. And because I did that, they found me at Fox, 20th Century Fox, because I was shocked. I was so surprised. I got really good reviews, which is amazing.

Lovely. I don't think I've had any of that good since. But yeah, they brought me in and tested me and put me under contract. Under contract at Fox. And I've always said it was my finishing school.

You know, for acting, it taught me the camera, taught me lights, things I'd never think about. How old were you? Oh, God, I don't remember now. Were you in your teens? 20? No, no. No, I was...

Young for my age. Yes. Very wet behind my ears. We all start there. Yeah. We all start there. What are some of the hard lessons that you have faced when you look back and you were trying to find your way in Hollywood? Well, first of all, you don't pay any attention to anything anyone says. Mm-hmm.

Because you will get so much criticism, negativity, or too much, you know, a puff thing. So just be true to yourself. Block all that out. You must be true to yourself. In life, you have to be true to yourself. But if you recognize the fact that you're being judged, get rid of it.

Leave it in the wings. Don't be judged. How do you do that? How do you leave it in the wings? I don't know. You just do. You just do. Just do. Just go, gone. That's all right. Because I've had too many experiences where they've been proven wrong. I love that you've proved them wrong all these years. It's so good. Well, thank you. Yes. Yes.

You are such a knockout. Can I say that? You're a babe. You're a hottie. Hey, you think so? Yeah, you are gorgeous. But when Hollywood was new and shiny, like we talked about, did you find it difficult in the face of what that man told you? Did you find it difficult to be taken seriously?

In the Hollywood world? No. The most difficult thing for me was getting an SAG card. And because I would go on an interview for small parts, you know, things. And they'd ask me if I belonged to the union. I belonged to Actors' Equity, not Screen Actors Guild, you know. And I wouldn't say, I wouldn't tell them that I did belong to Actors' Equity.

And they didn't tell me either if, you know, the union thing. Because if you belong to equity, you automatically could be an SAG at that time. I didn't know it. It took me a while before I had a part in a film where they were willing to do all the paperwork to get me my SAG card. That was the most difficult thing for me. Dealing with the negativity or the

I didn't have a problem with that, really. I know people have talked a lot about the casting couch. Yeah. But I didn't. You didn't experience it? Never had that problem. No. Oh, I love that. Ever. Did you? No. And I feel as if we are a very narrow category of women that didn't have to deal with that. I guess so. I just never did.

Unless they chose to do that. I knew a lot of girls that got jobs because of it, but they didn't get the important work. They didn't get the one line or the two lines or whatever. It really sounds like you had your eye on the prize and you were very focused about what you wanted. And like you said, just continue to be true to yourself. Yeah. Yeah.

That's all we're here for. I mean, we're all individuals and different individuals. And like I should have told that man at Warner Brothers, you know, there are a lot of different kinds of people. And they have to be in a movie or whatever you're doing and play the part. They were looking for something very specific at that time, it sounds like. I had another time. Yeah.

This is after I did have my SAG card and I finally had an agent. And the reason I had an agent is because of the studio club. I heard about an actor who wanted, who was being interviewed, but he needed a girl to do a scene with him. And none of the girls at the club wanted to do it. And I said, okay, I'll do it. I'd do anything at that point. And because I worked with him,

As I was walking out, the agent came over to me and said, you're pretty good. And I said, thank you. And he said, who's your agent? I said, I don't have one. And he said, oh, you do now. That's how I got an agent. Wow. That's how it happens. Yeah. The right place at the right time. That's true. And he, at one time, then I started acting in small parts and things. And there was an interview at CBS. Yes.

And they wanted a blonde, sexy blonde, you know. Yeah. So I had one dress that was sexy. One dress, you know, the spaghetti straps. And he said, wear the dress on the interview. I said, okay. So I went to CBS. By then I could drive. I'd drive a car. And it was cold. And I had a white fluffy coat. And I went up and

Got up into the room. Oh, well, outside it was cold. Inside it was colder. CBS. Went in and had an interview with the director. Told him, you know, what I'd done, where I'd studied, blah, blah, blah, you know.

He said, thank you very much. I went back and, oh, I didn't take the coat off. You kept the coat on in the room. I kept the coat on. Because you were cold. Yeah, I was cold. And when I got back to the studio club, my agent called and said, what happened? I said, well, I didn't get it. I know I didn't get it. He said, they told me you didn't get it. Tell me what you did. And I said, well, I think part of the reason may be I didn't take my coat off. Yeah.

But in a couple of weeks, this was the Johnny Carson show. He was not the nighttime show. He had a daytime thing. And he said, Barbara, they want to see you again. Take off your coat. Oh, boy. So I said, okay. And I did. It was freezing cold. LA can be cold, you know. I took the coat off in my car and walked in.

Had the interview with the same director, you know. And I know again, I could tell, you can tell. You can tell. And I was walking down the hallway and there were some men at the water stand. And as I walked by, they made lesser remarks, you know. I just kept walking. And then one of them detached himself and took my arm and said, you don't mind, do you? And I said, no, I don't mind.

What's to mind? You know, we're here in a hallway and I'm going to the elevator. That's okay. And we were talking back and forth, joking. And I got into the elevator and he stopped it. And he said, were you in seeing the director? I can't remember the director's name at this time. I said, mm-hmm. He said, did you get the job? I said, mm-mm. I don't think so. And he said like that.

And that's how I got started. In the elevator. Well, that's how really I did 14 or 15 of those shows. I think mainly because I was used to live audiences, you know, and I'd done a lot of theater. But yeah, and he apologized to me, the director. He said, I'm so sorry. He said, I fell into that.

habit that directors or casting people do of thinking that they're not actors, that they can't be something else other than what they are. I wanted a dumb blonde who could sing off-key and

You studied at the conservatory. You were extremely intelligent. Little did he know. But he said, I just realized you were an actor. You could act and do those things. Be stupid. Yeah. Yeah.

That's the best story ever. Isn't it interesting? I mean... And if you hadn't been open to that gentleman in the hallway... I wouldn't have had the job. And weren't, you know, so easygoing and delightful to just on a human level, you wouldn't have gotten it. Yeah. Who was this guy at the water cooler? You know something?

Later years, he was one of the producers. He was the producer. Okay. But he was on one of my films. I've forgotten his name. I'm sorry. That's okay. So long ago. Well, he was the producer. That's enough. Yeah. I love that story. Oh, my gosh. Hi, it's Jenny Garth. Feeling unwell.

Feeling confident in my skin is non-negotiable, and that's why I choose Perricone MD. Their triple retinol renewal face and eye serums are my go-to. I use them every day, every night. I've seen such a difference in my skin. You might be thinking, can I use retinol in the summer? But I'm here to tell you that yes.

You can. I like to apply the retinol serums at night. Then I follow with a moisturizer and I never, ever forget that SPF during the day. Confidence starts with Perricone MD. Visit perriconemd.com and use code JENNIE for 40% off your order for a limited time. That's perriconemd.com, code J-E-N-N-I-E. Summer weather is finally here. And so is Macy's Summer Style Sale.

So this is your chance to save some money while updating your summer wardrobe. You know, I love a good deal. I'm talking 20 to 65% off. That sounds pretty hot to me.

Grab some summer dresses from INC, a cute pair of sandals from Dolce Vita, and other top brands like French Connection and Steve Madden are also on sale, you guys. And the deals don't end there. Stay cool at night with some summer-friendly bedding by Hotel Collection. And if you're planning on doing some hosting this summer, pick up the Cuisinart 12-piece cookware set and food processor.

Shop the Macy's Summer Style Sale at macys.com or in store from June 19th through the 22nd. One thing about Chicago is it empowers you to want to live because it has so much love. If these walls could talk, they would say stability. They would say neighbors. They would say hope.

they definitely would say love. If these walls can talk, it would say family. JPMorgan Chase Community Development Banking understands that the buildings we invest in are more than just four walls. They are you. They are us. They are Chicago.

Hey there, this is Matt and Joel. We're from How to Money. Yeah, man. So buddy, Kate and I, we've got our anniversary coming up and we are planning an outdoor hiking and dining trip. We might even check out some art galleries this time. Sounds amazing. Very cultured. Do you have a destination in mind? Not yet, but we are thinking somewhere out west. And of course, we'll be looking for an Airbnb to stay in. It's

great to find a place that feels like home while we are out there exploring new areas. Totally. And you know, while you're enjoying your trip, you could list your own place on Airbnb. With the co-host feature, it's easier than ever to manage your reservations and guests, making hosting stress-free and allowing you to make some extra money. Find out how much at Airbnb.com slash host. This

This is Jenny Garth from I Do Part Two. Can't afford Ozempic? Try Wagovi from Future Health. Just $199 and FDA approved for weight loss. No insurance or tricky syringes needed, just results. Visit futurehealth.com. That's future without the E and start losing weight this week. Future Health Weight Law.

Data based on independent studies sponsored by Future Health. Future Health is not a healthcare services provider. Meds are prescribed at provider's discretion. I think as women, there's that line between being admired and being respected. I feel like I'm going to, I know what you're going to say to this. We're often misunderstood, such as that story. Did you find yourself having to push back to prove yourself in that regard?

That you deserved respect? No. No. I just expected it. No, I don't think there was ever. There might have been in San Francisco when I was very young, when I was a teenager, but not in Hollywood. Not in Hollywood. I didn't have that. I think I was very lucky. I might have had an angel on my shoulder. Maybe you had a genie. Or perhaps I didn't accept it.

I don't know. I didn't pay a lot of attention to what a lot of people were talking about. I'd been to that guy at Warner Brothers and I had CBS. Yeah. So I just didn't allow that negativity to come near me. I think that's what it is. You're making me think. Now, hold on. Let me give you some time. Just because you think you're my daughter. Yeah.

Why is that though? Because this business can breed insecurity. And as a woman, I definitely battled with a lot of things regarding that. But you sound like you came in with a true knowledge of who you were and what you were worth. Do you think that was instilled in you by your family, by your mom, by your dad? Oh, definitely. Definitely. And I was raised more by women.

My dad was there, but my grandmother was there. My aunt, the one who lived in San Marino, would always come through San Francisco. And my mother, my mother's sister. Oh, definitely. Yeah. But I think we all have insecurities. We all have a little spot in our psyche that...

Oh my God. Do I look all right? Am I doing this all right? Absolutely. That little voice. Yeah. Yeah. It's always there. What advice would you give women today who are feeling boxed in by expectations or stereotypes? Are you talking about actors or just generally speaking? I think just women. Just as a woman. Yeah. Well, I would say get out of the box. You know? Yeah.

You can't let other people affect you or it just can't be done. You can't do that. I don't know what else to say. First of all, I think you have to do your job well. Whether it's a wife or a mother or an actor or a scientist, a teacher, whatever you're doing, do it well or be interested enough to...

do it. And then you'll feel good about yourself. It's, um, and also recognize that we're all connected. I believe this. I think all humans on earth are all connected by one. Uh, I don't want to get into religions and things, but, but I do feel that, that it is, uh, we're all a manifestation of a greater power. And, um,

Realize that. When you're working, for instance, since I'm an actor, that's my job. But when you're working with someone who might be a little different, I think you have to just keep recognizing what connects the two of you. Just know it.

And when you know it, it makes it so much better, makes everything work out well. Then you feel better about yourself. And when you feel good about yourself, you're unstoppable. Yeah, you're productive. You're productive. Yes. It's easier. You're not in the box. You're not in the box. Because there is no box. There is none. That's great. No, don't recognize it. You're so strong, Barbara.

Sometimes. Okay, let's go to 1960. Okay. You ready? That was a very good year for you, by the way. You were working all the time. All the time. In 1960. I mean, you were doing two, three, four films a year pretty much every year. But I noticed in 1960 you had a lot of credits. You were doing a movie opposite Elvis Presley. Yes. Flaming Star. Yeah. So good. Yeah.

What was it like working with someone on that global level of stardom? It was just like working with any other actor. And he was lovely. Just the sweetest, really wonderful. You know, when I would come on the set, he'd run and get me a chair. Actors don't do that. No, they don't. It's a gentleman. No, we're all working in our little thing, but he was...

He was a gentleman. His mama brought him up right. And he was fun to talk to. We would talk for a long time when the lights are being set up because, you know, it takes a while. And he told me about his mother and

And then he asked me, because at the time I was married to Michael Ansara, who was very well known at that time. I don't think anyone knows him now, but at that time he was. And Elvis was a huge fan of Mike's. And he asked me, how can you be married and still be in the light like you are? And what I told you.

It's a job. The two of us work. He works, I work. But it's not, you know, it's just like any other job. It's like going to the office for us. Really? Yeah. So nothing gets in the way. And he said, well, he said, you know, I've met somebody I really like a lot, but I don't know how I can bring her into this. Mm-hmm.

well, what is this? This is nothing. This is how we work. This is how we make our living. And I said, no, you know, it's, I told her this actually. Are we talking about Priscilla? Priscilla, yes. Lovely, lovely woman. Just a sweetheart. Yeah. And I said, just know that it's your work. Of course, you know, I think

His work was a little different than with the camera. You know, I've done my stint in Las Vegas. Yeah, it's a different, that is a different world. But in my ignorance, I said, you know. It's just a J-O-B. Yeah. I mean, when you look at that career and everything,

the pain that Elvis seemed to go through because of his personal life. Do you ever think that there can be just too much fame for one person? No, I don't think it's the fame. I really don't. I think it's being steered in the wrong direction by people around you. You know, as I said, true to yourself, he was, it broke my heart.

to hear about him. And actually I followed him on a, because as I was doing Jeannie, I was also working in Vegas singing. I don't know if you knew that. At the same time? Yeah. Wow. Well, in between, you know. In fact, I think I did a movie a year and then I do three weeks in Vegas doing my act. And I was in Reno at a, in singing there and I got a cold.

like kind of I have right now. And they took me to a doctor in Reno and gave me a shot. I don't know what it was, but they did. And it cleared up the congestion and everything. It was a miracle. And the man who took me to the doctor said, I don't want you to ever see this doctor again. And I said, why? He said, he's just, don't do it. He said, he's Elvis's doctor. Hmm.

And he said, he travels with him. But he said, I have seen Elvis's bottom. And he said, it's like a pin cushion. So it's very destructive. He loved to sing. He loved to perform. But I think the people around him expected too much out of him. Too much. And he was willing to do it because he loved it so much. Mm-hmm.

Beautiful, beautiful human being. Just so sad. Yeah. Yeah. Okay, Barbara, I have so many more things I want to talk to you about. I just can't stop. I think we're going to have to make this a two-parter. So everybody keep an eye out for the second part of this incredible conversation with Barbara Eden. Hi, it's Jenny Garth. Feeling...

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