What if Barbara Eden wasn't chosen to play Jeannie - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 12-22-2023, 09:46 PM

TV Knowledge Fan · 03-31-2026, 05:30 AM

Gila Golan was one of several "exotic looking" actresses to audition as "Jeannie", as she was "Miss Israel" in the 1960 "Miss World" pageant. Because of the influence of seeing Kamala Devi in "The Brass Bottle", Sidney Sheldon auditioned several tall, dark-haired international beauty contest winners- including Corinna Tsopei {"Miss Greece" and the 1964 "Miss Universe"}- for the role. Gila came thisclose to getting the role- and helped out with the screen tests for casting "Tony Nelson". Then, Sidney decided on Barbara.....but Gila appeared in a first season episode {as a "consolation prize" of sorts} as "Princess Tarji" in "This is Murder".

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12-22-2023, 09:46 PM	#16
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03-31-2026, 05:30 AM	#17
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Gila Golan was one of several "exotic looking" actresses to audition as "Jeannie", as she was "Miss Israel" in the 1960 "Miss World" pageant. Because of the influence of seeing Kamala Devi in "The Brass Bottle", Sidney Sheldon auditioned several tall, dark-haired international beauty contest winners- including Corinna Tsopei {"Miss Greece" and the 1964 "Miss Universe"}- for the role. Gila came thisclose to getting the role- and helped out with the screen tests for casting "Tony Nelson". Then, Sidney decided on Barbara.....but Gila appeared in a first season episode {as a "consolation prize" of sorts} as "Princess Tarji" in "This is Murder". https://media.gettyimages.com/id/143...GlisvR09O8uf0=