The Truth Revealed: 7 Shocking Ways Barbara Eden And Elizabeth Montgomery’s ‘Feud’ Was Fabricated

For decades, the legendary rivalry between *I Dream of Jeannie* star Barbara Eden and *Bewitched* icon Elizabeth Montgomery has been one of Hollywood’s most enduring myths. It was a classic "blonde vs. blonde" showdown, a supernatural sitcom battle waged across two major television networks in the competitive 1960s. The public believed a fierce, behind-the-scenes feud simmered between Jeannie and Samantha Stephens, the two most powerful magical women on TV.

However, in recent years, and as recently as late 2025, Barbara Eden has repeatedly and definitively shut down the speculation, revealing that the rumored tension was nothing more than a narrative manufactured by the media and network publicity departments. The truth about the relationship between the two actresses is far more amicable—and fascinating—than the fiction. This is the definitive look at their parallel lives, their competing shows, and the surprising reality of their off-screen bond.

The Parallel Lives: Barbara Eden and Elizabeth Montgomery Biography

The lives of Barbara Eden and Elizabeth Montgomery mirrored each other in their rapid ascent to TV stardom, yet their backgrounds and career paths offered subtle differences that fueled the public’s desire to pit them against one another. Both women became cultural icons, forever cemented in television history by their roles as magical, blonde housewives.

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Barbara Eden (Jeannie)

• Full Name: Barbara Jean Morehead
• Born: August 23, 1931, in Tucson, Arizona.
• Early Career: Began as a singer in bands and studied acting at the Elizabeth Holloway School of Theatre. She appeared in films like *Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea* (1961) and *The Brass Bottle* (1964), the latter of which is often cited as a precursor to *I Dream of Jeannie*.
• Iconic Role: Jeannie in *I Dream of Jeannie* (1965–1970).
• Key Co-Star: Larry Hagman (Major Tony Nelson).
• Later Career: Starred in numerous TV movies and the series *Harper Valley P.T.A.* (1981–1982). She remains active in Hollywood and public appearances today.
• Honors: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1988).

Elizabeth Montgomery (Samantha Stephens)

• Full Name: Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery
• Born: April 15, 1933, in Los Angeles, California.
• Early Career: Born into Hollywood royalty, her father was actor/producer Robert Montgomery. She began her career in the 1950s, appearing on her father's show, *Robert Montgomery Presents*. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in the film *Johnny Cool* (1963).
• Iconic Role: Samantha Stephens in *Bewitched* (1964–1972).
• Key Co-Stars: Dick York (Darrin Stephens I) and later Dick Sargent (Darrin Stephens II).
• Later Career: After *Bewitched*, she moved into dramatic roles, starring in acclaimed TV movies like *A Case of Rape* (1974) and *The Legend of Lizzie Borden* (1975). She was a highly respected dramatic actress.
• Passed Away: May 18, 1995, at the age of 62.

The Great Sitcom War: Why the Rivalry Myth Took Hold

The alleged "feud" between the two stars was a perfect storm of timing, circumstance, and marketing. It wasn't about personal animosity, but rather a fierce battle for Nielsen ratings supremacy that played out in the media. This competition created a compelling narrative that the public eagerly consumed, even though the actresses themselves were largely uninvolved.

1. The Similar Premise and Timing

The core reason for the comparison was the uncanny similarity of the shows. *Bewitched* premiered first in 1964, featuring a powerful, magical blonde woman (Samantha) married to a mortal man (Darrin) and trying to live a normal suburban life. *I Dream of Jeannie* arrived a year later in 1965, presenting a powerful, magical blonde woman (Jeannie) constrained by a mortal man (Major Tony Nelson) and trying to live a normal life. This close resemblance was too much for the media to ignore, immediately framing the shows as direct competitors in the "magical sitcom" genre.

2. The Shared Production Lot

In a twist that fueled the rumors, both series were produced by the same studio, Screen Gems (a subsidiary of Columbia Pictures), and were filmed on the same lot in Hollywood. This proximity meant the two lead actresses were often physically near each other, giving the press ample opportunity to invent stories of awkward encounters or backstage tension. The reality, as Eden later confirmed, was the opposite: they would occasionally cross paths and share pleasantries.

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3. The Network Ratings Battle

*Bewitched* aired on ABC and was an immediate smash hit, becoming a Top Ten show for several seasons. *I Dream of Jeannie* aired on NBC. The competition between the networks was intense, and publicizing a "rivalry" between the two lead stars was a brilliant, albeit misleading, marketing strategy to draw viewers. While *Bewitched* generally won the ratings war, the press coverage focused on the star power of both women.

The Ultimate Truth: Barbara Eden’s Recent Denial (2025 Update)

The most compelling and modern information—the antidote to the 60-year-old myth—comes directly from Barbara Eden. At 94, the actress has been remarkably candid in recent interviews, particularly around the 60th anniversary of *I Dream of Jeannie*, finally putting the persistent rumors to rest.

4. They Shared a "Lovely Bond"

Eden has been clear that she and Montgomery had a perfectly cordial relationship. She stated that despite the media’s attempts to create a "catfight," they were friendly when they saw each other. "We didn't have an ongoing feud," Eden told *People* magazine, emphasizing that the narrative of tension was entirely fabricated. They shared the unique experience of being the female leads on two of the most popular, yet similar, shows of the era.

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5. The Focus on the Male Co-Stars

Another fascinating difference that often gets overlooked is the dynamic with their male co-stars. While Eden and Larry Hagman (Major Nelson) had a strong, though sometimes rocky, working relationship, Elizabeth Montgomery's show saw a dramatic mid-series change in the role of Darrin Stephens, moving from Dick York to Dick Sargent. This behind-the-scenes drama on *Bewitched* often overshadowed any manufactured rivalry with Eden, shifting the focus to the internal struggles of the Stephens family.

6. Contrasting Character Archetypes

While both were "magical blondes," their characters represented subtle yet key differences in the domestic comedy genre. Jeannie was an obedient, wish-granting servant to her "Master," Major Nelson, embodying a more traditional, subservient female role (though often subverting it). Samantha Stephens, on the other hand, was a wife who actively chose to suppress her magic for the sake of her mortal husband, Darrin, but often used it to solve problems, representing a slightly more rebellious, independent spirit within the constraints of marriage. These differences offered critics and fans distinct angles for comparison, but not for conflict between the actresses.

7. The Enduring Legacy of Friendship Over Feud

The final truth is that the "feud" was a great story, but a poor representation of reality. Barbara Eden has consistently stated that she greatly admired Elizabeth Montgomery's talent and work. The enduring legacy of both actresses is not one of rivalry, but of parallel excellence. They paved the way for future generations of powerful female leads in fantasy and comedy, forever linked not by a fight, but by their simultaneous, magical dominance of the 1960s television landscape. Their friendly, professional relationship is the real, and now confirmed, story.