With Barbara Eden portraying a 2000-year-old genie – aptly named Jeannie – rescued by U.S. astronaut Tony Nelson, played by Larry Hagman, the main will-they-or-won’t-they storyline kept viewers. The 87-year-old, who starred in the hit sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie,” recently told The Baltimore Sun the role of Jeannie came unexpectedly because she didn’t think she had a chance.