Barbara Eden, 95, dropped out of a scheduled appearance at the Cinecon Classic Film Festival in Los Angeles at the last minute Saturday due to a “sudden illness,” according to a statement from festival organizers.
Eden had been set to receive the Cinecon Legacy Award on Sept. 5 following a screening of her 1961 musical comedy “All Hands on Deck,” in which she co-starred with Pat Boone. “We’re sorry to share that, due to a sudden illness, Barbara Eden will no longer be able to appear in person at Cinecon tonight,” organizers wrote in a statement posted to the festival’s social media accounts, adding that Eden was “deeply regretful that she had to cancel at the last minute as she had been very much looking forward to seeing everyone and celebrating with us,” according to TheWrap.
Boone stepped in to accept the award on Eden’s behalf and remained at the event to sign autographs following the screening, organizers said. “Although Barbara will not be able to join us in person, we will still be honoring her as planned,” the festival said, according to Deadline. The statement concluded by extending well wishes to Eden for “a speedy recovery.”
No further details about the nature of Eden’s illness have been disclosed. Her scheduled appearance came roughly two weeks after she celebrated her 95th birthday, according to Deadline. Other honorees at this year’s 62nd edition of Cinecon, which celebrates classic film, included Nancy Kwan, Anna Maria Alberghetti and Lainie Kazan.
Eden is best known for starring as the title character on the 1960s sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie,” and has continued to make public appearances and give interviews well into her 90s. Fans reacting to the news online expressed concern paired with admiration for her stamina, with one commenter noting that Eden “keeps a full schedule that would exhaust someone half her age.”