5 Explosive Facts About Barbara Eden’s Vengeful Role On Dallas And Her Iconic Reunion With J.R. Ewing

Barbara Eden’s guest role on the final season of *Dallas* remains one of the most talked-about casting decisions in television history. While fans of the classic 1980s soap opera were already gripped by the dramatic conclusion of the Ewing family saga, the arrival of Eden in 1990-1991 offered a delightful, meta-textual twist, reuniting her with her former *I Dream of Jeannie* co-star, Larry Hagman. This wasn't a sweet, sentimental cameo, however; Eden stepped into the role of Lee Ann De La Vega, a powerful and vengeful oil magnate determined to bring J.R. Ewing to his knees—a plotline that provided a fresh, explosive challenge for the show's most notorious villain right before the series finale.

As of late 2025, retrospective articles and interviews continue to highlight the magic of this reunion, cementing its status as a pivotal moment in both actors' careers. Eden’s captivating performance as a woman scorned, combined with the undeniable chemistry she shared with Hagman, proved that even decades after their sitcom success, their on-screen dynamic could still deliver ratings gold, adding a layer of topical authority and star power to *Dallas*'s dramatic conclusion.

Barbara Eden: A Legacy Profile

Barbara Eden (born Barbara Jean Morehead) is an American actress and singer whose career has spanned over seven decades, establishing her as one of Hollywood's most enduring and beloved figures. She is best known globally for her iconic role as the magical genie in the NBC sitcom *I Dream of Jeannie*.

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• Full Name: Barbara Jean Morehead
• Born: August 23, 1931 (Age 94 as of late 2025)
• Birthplace: Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
• Early Career: Began singing in bands as a teenager and studied singing and acting at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Elizabeth Holloway School of Theatre.
• Breakthrough Role: Jeannie in *I Dream of Jeannie* (1965–1970), co-starring Larry Hagman.
• Other Notable TV Roles: *How to Marry a Millionaire* (1957–1959), *Harper Valley PTA* (1981–1982), and her guest role on *Dallas* (1990–1991).
• Film Highlights: *Flaming Star* (1960) with Elvis Presley, *Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea* (1961), and *7 Faces of Dr. Lao* (1964).
• Awards & Honors: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1988), inducted into the California Broadcasting Hall of Fame (2003).
• Personal Life: Her memoir, *Jeannie Out of the Bottle*, was published in 2011. She continues to make appearances at fan conventions and events.

The Vengeful Plot: Who Was Lee Ann De La Vega?

Barbara Eden joined the cast of *Dallas* in its 14th and final season, which aired from 1990 to 1991, appearing in five episodes. Her character, Lee Ann De La Vega, was introduced not as a friend or a simple business associate, but as a formidable Venezuelan oil magnate with a deep, personal history with J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman).

Lee Ann was revealed to be a former mistress of J.R., and her return to Dallas was motivated by a single, powerful intention: revenge. The storyline was a classic *Dallas* power play, but with a twist of personal retribution. J.R. had ruined her father's business years ago, and Lee Ann had spent her life building her own empire to exact her revenge. Her ultimate goal was to acquire J.R.'s most precious asset—Ewing Oil—and she used every tool at her disposal, including her seductive charm and business acumen, to manipulate him.

This storyline provided a perfect foil for J.R. in the show’s final stretch. Lee Ann De La Vega was one of the few characters who could truly out-scheme the notorious Ewing patriarch, using his own weaknesses against him. The high-stakes drama reached its peak in episodes like "The Odessa File" (Season 14, Episode 8), where Lee Ann’s maneuvers to buy Ewing Oil put J.R. in a desperate corner.

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The Iconic 'I Dream of Jeannie' Reunion

The true significance of Barbara Eden's casting lay in the on-screen reunion with Larry Hagman. For millions of viewers, they were forever Major Tony Nelson and Jeannie from the beloved 1960s sitcom *I Dream of Jeannie*. Their appearance together on *Dallas*—a gritty, primetime soap—was a moment of television history that transcended the plot.

The production team was keenly aware of this history and incorporated a brilliant, subtle "inside joke" into one of their scenes. During an interaction between J.R. and Lee Ann, J.R. famously tells her, "You look familiar," a direct, knowing nod to their previous roles that delighted long-time fans of both shows.

In recent interviews, Eden has spoken warmly about the experience, confirming the immediate and powerful connection she shared with Hagman. "It was wonderful," she said of her time on *Dallas*, highlighting their "immediate chemistry." Their professional relationship, built over five years on *I Dream of Jeannie*, allowed them to effortlessly slip back into a dynamic that was both compelling and electric, even when playing adversaries.

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The Legacy of Lee Ann De La Vega

Lee Ann De La Vega’s character provided a crucial moment of closure and topical authority for the final season of *Dallas*. While the show had a revolving door of J.R.'s past lovers, Lee Ann stood out because of her power, her intelligence, and her ability to genuinely threaten J.R.'s empire. She was not merely a romantic entanglement; she was a business adversary who had mastered the art of Ewing-style manipulation.

Ultimately, Lee Ann achieves a form of closure, though not the total destruction of J.R. she initially sought. In her final episode, the oil magnate makes peace with J.R., and the two characters part ways, with J.R. forgiving her. This resolution was a testament to the unique dynamic shared by Eden and Hagman, allowing the high-stakes plot to end on a note of mutual respect, rather than complete ruin.

Barbara Eden's involvement in the final season of *Dallas* proved to be a masterful piece of casting that provided both high-octane drama for the series and a memorable, nostalgic reunion for fans. Her role as the powerful, vengeful Lee Ann De La Vega is a testament to her versatility as an actress, moving seamlessly from the light-hearted fantasy of Jeannie to the cutthroat world of Southfork Ranch, forever cementing her place in television lore.