Barbara Eden was supposed to walk into the Landmark Nuart Theatre on Saturday night and collect an award named after her own career. Instead, she cancelled hours before the ceremony.

The Cinecon Classic Film Festival announced the withdrawal on its Facebook page, saying Eden could not appear in person due to "a sudden illness." No further detail was given on what that illness is or how serious it might be. The post said Eden was "deeply regretful" about pulling out, given how much she'd been looking forward to the night.

"We know how many of you were excited to welcome Barbara," the organisers wrote, thanking fans for their patience and sending Eden their wishes for a quick recovery.

She was due to receive the Cinecon Legacy Award at this year's edition, the festival's 62nd, running September 3 to 7 at the Nuart for the first time in its history. With Eden a no-show, it was her All Hands on Deck co-star Pat Boone who stepped up to accept the honour on her behalf. After the screening of that 1961 film, Boone stayed back and signed autographs for fans who'd shown up hoping to see Eden herself.

She wasn't the only honouree missing. Anna Maria Alberghetti, 90, also could not make it in person, according to the same festival post. Nancy Kwan and Lainie Kazan were the other names being celebrated this year.

Fan reaction on the Facebook post has been mostly worry mixed with warmth. Several commenters flagged how packed Eden's schedule usually is for someone her age, and thanked Boone for filling in on short notice. Nobody in the comments claims to know more than what the festival itself put out.

Eden remains best known for playing the title character in I Dream of Jeannie, the 1960s sitcom about an astronaut who uncovers a 2,000-year-old genie in a bottle. Her filmography runs through Flaming Star, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and The Brass Bottle, alongside television turns in Harper Valley P.T.A. And How to Marry a Millionaire.

As recently as August, Eden was talking about wanting to keep working. "If it's well-written, I'd probably do anything," she said in an interview at the time. "If it's well-written."

For now, there's no update on her condition beyond the one line the festival gave out, and no word on whether she'll reschedule any part of her Cinecon appearance. Fans are watching for that Facebook page to post again.