Alice Mary Franklin: Who Was Barbara Edens Mother?

Posted by Lorie Orum on Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Alice Mary Franklin is the late mother of TV and film icon Barbara Eden. Alice’s daughter Barbara is an actress, singer, and author. She has a remarkable Hollywood career that spans more than 50 years. She is best known for portraying Jeannie in the sitcom I Dream of Jeannie (1965–1970). She has released an album titled “Miss Barbara Eden” and has written a memoir, “Jeannie Out of the Bottle”.

Alice Mary Franklin: Bio Summary

NameAlice Mary Franklin
Date of birth13 August 1915
Place of birthEl Paso, El Paso County, Texas, USA
Famous asmother of Barbara Eden
Died14 November 1986 (aged 71)
NationalityAmerican
ParentsFrances Elvira O’Leary Franklin and Charles Benjamin Franklin
SpouseHubert Henry Morehead
ChildrenBarbara Eden and Alison Scanlon

Who Was Barbara Eden’s Mother, Alice Mary Franklin?

Alice Mary Franklin who was born on 13 August 1915, in El Paso, El Paso County, Texas, USA, is the woman who gave birth to actress Barbara Eden. Charles Benjamin Franklin and Frances Elvira O’Leary Franklin were Alice’s parents. She was the sister of Constance Elvira Franklin Holder, Chester Benjamin Franklin, and Marjorie Louise Franklin Shumaker.

Alice Mary Franklin’s parents Charles and Frances were married in the year 1899, in Humboldt County, Nevada. Most details of Alice’s childhood hasn’t been documented. Details about her education are unavailable. She was not raised in the spotlight. She kept her personal and family information away from the public domain.

Alice fell in love with Hubert Henry Morehead but how they met is unknown. Alice and Hubert decided to spend the rest of their lives together. The two got married. Alice’s husband Hubert worked as a butcher. The then couple gave birth to a daughter. Their daughter is Barbara Jean Morehead commonly known as Barbara Eden.

ALSO, READ; Alison Scanlon: Inside The Life Of Barbara Eden’s Sister

Barbara Eden was born on August 23, 1931, in Tucson, Arizona, U.S. She became an actress, singer and author. As an actress, she is known for her roles including Jeannie in the sitcom I Dream of Jeannie (1965–1970), Roslyn Pierce in the film Flaming Star (1960), and Lieutenant jg Cathy Connors in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961).

Unfortunately, Alice Mary Franklin and Hubert Henry Morehead’s marriage failed and they got divorced. Alice and her daughter Barbara Eden moved to San Francisco, where Alice found love again. She married Harrison Connor Huffman, a telephone lineman. She and Harrison had a daughter, Allison Huffman (aka Alison Scanlon).

Alice’s daughter Barbara had adopted her stepfather’s surname ‘Huffman’. Alice and her family had a hard time at some point as they were unable to afford many luxuries. Alice entertained her children by singing. She was a supportive wife and lived away from the spotlight. She was a proud mother and grandmother. She had a very close relationship with her famous daughter Barbara Eden.

ALSO, READ: Hubert Henry Morehead: What Happened To Barbara Eden’s Father?

Alice Mary Franklin’s Grandson Died From A Drug Overdose

Alice Mary Franklin became the grandmother of Matthew Ansara thanks to the marriage between Barbara Eden and actor Michael Ansara which lasted from January 17, 1958, to May 25, 1974. Alice’s grandson Matthew was born on 29 August 1965, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA.

Unfortunately, Alice’s grandson Matthew Ansara who was an actor died on 25 June 2001, at age 35, in Monrovia, Los Angeles County, California, USA. He died from an accidental drug overdose. He had battled drug addiction and spent time in and out of rehabilitation facilities. He was diagnosed with clinical depression and prescribed medication.

Matthew publicly opened up about his addiction in 1999. After a long struggle, he was reportedly sober as of the year 2000. He became an amateur bodybuilder. In 2001, he was found dead in his pickup truck at a gas station. His mother Barbara Eden was affected by his death. Opening up about the tragic death of her son, Barbara said:

“When Matthew was clean and sober, he was such a beautiful human being, inside and out. Drugs are inexplicable. It’s so frustrating.” Barbara disclosed, “The same day that I Dream of Jeannie sold, the doctor told me I was pregnant. I was thrilled. I was so happy, but I knew they’d have to replace me. Well, God love [I Dream of Jeannie creator] Sidney Sheldon.”

“He got to work and we did the first 13 shows with me pregnant with Matthew,” adding, “I don’t know if becoming a mom changed me, but it was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me,” she continues. “It’s a miracle, having a baby, and having this little creation. I get goosebumps when I think about it. It’s the loveliest thing that happened in my life.”

“At first we didn’t recognize the behavior — the sleeping and the bouts of anger that would come up all of a sudden with this charming, darling boy. I was scared to death. I didn’t know what to do. He was too young to know he needed rehab or help. It’s a wonder that he lived to be 35.” According to Barbara, she doesn’t think there’s anything worse than to lose your child.

Barbara said: “As a parent, I had a lot of guilt and anger, and following his death I was always on the edge of tears. Even though he was 35, he was still my baby. I began to speak with parents who were going through the same thing. I think parents should know that it’s not a bad thing to be strict with your child. If you know what’s going on, you have a chance to help. Ultimately it’s up to them, but there’s hope.”

ALSO, READ: Charles Donald Fegert- What happened to Barbara Eden’s ex-husband?

Alice Mary Franklin Died At Age 71

Barbara Eden’s mother, Alice Mary Franklin died on 14 November 1986 of lung cancer. After she developed lung cancer, her daughter Barbara took care of her until she died. She was at the age of 71 years at the time she passed away. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, USA.

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