Barbara Eden Reveals Why She ‘Stayed Out of’ Desi Arnaz’s Way on ‘I Love Lucy’

Barbara Eden was still a young actress finding her way in Hollywood when she landed a memorable role on I Love Lucy.

However, she quickly learned that staying on the good side of Lucille Ball meant knowing where to draw the line.

Eden, who turns 94 later this month, appeared on the beloved sitcom in 1957 as Diana Jordan, a glamorous bombshell who turns the head of Ricky Ricardo (played by Desi Arnaz) and Fred Mertz.

While the characters of Lucy, played by Ball and Ethel, played by Vivian Vance, were less than thrilled by her character, Eden said her experience with Ball behind the scenes was remarkably warm.

“Oh my goodness, [Ball] was wonderful. She was absolutely wonderful to me. She made sure that my costume was right. She made it sexier for the part,” Eden told Entertainment Weekly on Saturday, August 8. “I understand she had trouble, I know, with people because of him, but I went out of my way to stay out of his way.”

Eden was referring to Arnaz, who was Ball’s real life and on-screen husband and had a reputation for being unfaithful to her.

Perhaps aware of the rumors, Eden said, “I didn’t go near it, and I think she appreciated that because she really, really … wanted to put me under contract.”

She went on to add there was “never” anything between her and Arnaz.

Early in her career, Eden landed guest appearances on some of television’s biggest shows, including Gunsmoke, Perry Mason and The Andy Griffith Show, but one of her most memorable roles came on I Love Lucy.

Ball certainly thought so and offered Eden a contract, along with a chance to join a class she taught for young female comedians.

But 20th Century Fox had also recognized her potential.

“That’s when Fox picked up my contract, and I went to Fox instead of her,” she added.

Eden ultimately landed the title role in the NBC sitcom I Dream of Jeannie, which ran from 1965 to 1970 and made her a television star.