BEWITCHED
One of the most popular shows from our youth. Samantha was a wonderful, warm character and we all loved Endora and Uncle Arthur and aunt Clara and many more of the magnificent cast. Here's a bit of trivia on all things Bewitched.
SAMANTHA
Elizabeth Montgomery
The daughter of film star Robert Montgomery, Elizabeth Montgomery made her television debut on her father's popular 1950s anthology series. Her first film was 1955's The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell, for which she was generously reviewed as one of the most dynamic young actresses of her time. Often cast in hypertense roles, Montgomery won an Emmy for her portrayal of a conniving gun moll on a 1959 episode of TV's The Untouchables. She shifted to domestic comedy with ease in the role of Samantha Stephens, the attractive witch heroine of the long-running (1964-1973) TV sitcom Bewitched. After this project folded, Montgomery returned to dramatic roles with a vengeance, spending the next two decades starring as abused, beleaguered women in such TV movies as A Case of Rape (1974) and The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975). Among Elizabeth Montgomery's husbands was William Asher, who was the show's producer and often director. She died of cancer in 1995 at just 62.
The daughter of film star Robert Montgomery, Elizabeth Montgomery made her television debut on her father's popular 1950s anthology series. Her first film was 1955's The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell, for which she was generously reviewed as one of the most dynamic young actresses of her time. Often cast in hypertense roles, Montgomery won an Emmy for her portrayal of a conniving gun moll on a 1959 episode of TV's The Untouchables. She shifted to domestic comedy with ease in the role of Samantha Stephens, the attractive witch heroine of the long-running (1964-1973) TV sitcom Bewitched. After this project folded, Montgomery returned to dramatic roles with a vengeance, spending the next two decades starring as abused, beleaguered women in such TV movies as A Case of Rape (1974) and The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975). Among Elizabeth Montgomery's husbands was William Asher, who was the show's producer and often director. She died of cancer in 1995 at just 62.
DARRIN STEPHENS No.1
Dick York • 9/4/28 - 2/20/92
Played the first Darrin, Samantha’s husband.
At the age of 15, York was the star of the network radio program “That Brewster Boy.”
Severely injured his back while working on the 1959 film They Came to Cordura.
As his back injury worsened, York became addicted to pain killers, but eventually overcame them.
Missed 14 episodes of Bewitched during the fifth season because of the back injury/seizure.
Had a major seizure on the set of Bewitched, was taken to the hospital and never returned to the show.
His departure from Bewitched, and replacement by Dick Sargent, was announced in February 1969.
Suffered severe financial problems due to poor money management (he owned an apartment building, but let the tenants slide on the rent) and became bankrupt.
Devoted his time to programs to help the homeless.
Was hooked up to an oxygen tank and in a wheelchair during his last years.
Despite overwhelming setbacks in his later life, he maintained a positive outlook, had no regrets and died peacefully, his devoted wife and children at his side
Played the first Darrin, Samantha’s husband.
At the age of 15, York was the star of the network radio program “That Brewster Boy.”
Severely injured his back while working on the 1959 film They Came to Cordura.
As his back injury worsened, York became addicted to pain killers, but eventually overcame them.
Missed 14 episodes of Bewitched during the fifth season because of the back injury/seizure.
Had a major seizure on the set of Bewitched, was taken to the hospital and never returned to the show.
His departure from Bewitched, and replacement by Dick Sargent, was announced in February 1969.
Suffered severe financial problems due to poor money management (he owned an apartment building, but let the tenants slide on the rent) and became bankrupt.
Devoted his time to programs to help the homeless.
Was hooked up to an oxygen tank and in a wheelchair during his last years.
Despite overwhelming setbacks in his later life, he maintained a positive outlook, had no regrets and died peacefully, his devoted wife and children at his side
DARRIN STEPHENS No.2
Dick Sargent • 4/19/30 - 7/8/94
1. Portrayed Darrin during the last three seasons
2. Was a closeted gay man for nearly all of his life, but came out late in his life as he wanted to serve as a “retro role model” for young gay men.
4. Generally considered the “less popular” Darrin.
5. Montgomery and her husband (show's producer William Asher) were friends with Dick Sargent and socialised together during and after the show’s run.
6. Elizabeth Montgomery supported Dick Sargent in his coming out and, at his bequest, served with him as co-Grand Marshall of the 1992 L. A. Gay Pride Parade
1. Portrayed Darrin during the last three seasons
2. Was a closeted gay man for nearly all of his life, but came out late in his life as he wanted to serve as a “retro role model” for young gay men.
4. Generally considered the “less popular” Darrin.
5. Montgomery and her husband (show's producer William Asher) were friends with Dick Sargent and socialised together during and after the show’s run.
6. Elizabeth Montgomery supported Dick Sargent in his coming out and, at his bequest, served with him as co-Grand Marshall of the 1992 L. A. Gay Pride Parade
ENDORA
Agnes Moorehead • 12/6/1900 - 4/30/74
• Daughter of a Presbyterian Minister, and a devout Christian
• Was a teacher, held a Masters degree
• Known as “Aggie”
• Best friends with Debbie Reynolds.
• Was an accomplished stage, screen and radio star, and did not want to do a comedy series, but agreed to do the Bewitched pilot because the producers offered her a hefty sum as payment and because she believed that the story was so preposterous that it would never sell, so she had nothing to lose. She always recalled being shocked when she was called back because the pilot was such a hit.
• First woman to co-host the Academy Awards in 1948.
• Was member of the ill-fated cast of The Conqueror, which was filmed in 1954 in the Nevada desert, close by to where the government was doing nuclear testing. In later years those tests were suspected to have caused the cancer deaths of the film’s stars including John Wayne, Dick Powell, and Susan Hayward
• Known as “The Lavendar Lady” for her love of the colour.
• Daughter of a Presbyterian Minister, and a devout Christian
• Was a teacher, held a Masters degree
• Known as “Aggie”
• Best friends with Debbie Reynolds.
• Was an accomplished stage, screen and radio star, and did not want to do a comedy series, but agreed to do the Bewitched pilot because the producers offered her a hefty sum as payment and because she believed that the story was so preposterous that it would never sell, so she had nothing to lose. She always recalled being shocked when she was called back because the pilot was such a hit.
• First woman to co-host the Academy Awards in 1948.
• Was member of the ill-fated cast of The Conqueror, which was filmed in 1954 in the Nevada desert, close by to where the government was doing nuclear testing. In later years those tests were suspected to have caused the cancer deaths of the film’s stars including John Wayne, Dick Powell, and Susan Hayward
• Known as “The Lavendar Lady” for her love of the colour.
TABITHA
Erin & Diane Murphy
1. Erin portrayed Tabitha for the run of the show.
2. Started out sharing the role with her fraternal twin sister, Diane, who was used in long shots, Erin’s double, and as an extra in scenes involving children.
3. Was actually a year older than Tabitha was supposed to be, but got the part because she was small for her age, and had the verbal skills.
4. Erin married four times, has four sons
5. Diane is a gay woman working for a gay & lesbian rights group.
1. Erin portrayed Tabitha for the run of the show.
2. Started out sharing the role with her fraternal twin sister, Diane, who was used in long shots, Erin’s double, and as an extra in scenes involving children.
3. Was actually a year older than Tabitha was supposed to be, but got the part because she was small for her age, and had the verbal skills.
4. Erin married four times, has four sons
5. Diane is a gay woman working for a gay & lesbian rights group.
LARRY TATE
David White portrayed Larry Tate, Darrin’s boss. David’s wife died shortly after the birth of their son, (they also had an older daughter.) That son, Jonathan, died in the Pan Am crash over Lockerbie, Scotland. White never recovered from his son’s death and died just days before the second anniversary of the air disaster.
ABNER AND GLADYS KRAVITZ
Alice Pearce was the original Gladys Kravitz. She passed away from cancer during the second season. She was awarded a Best Supporting Emmy posthumously that year.
Sandra Gould and George Tobias played Abner and Gladys Kravitz. Tobias played Abner for the length of the show, while Gould replaced Alice Pearce. Both were seasoned stage, film and radio performers.
When George Tobias passed away, the hearse carrying his body was stolen and taken for a joyride. His family said that Tobias had such a wicked sense of humour that he would have found that hilarious.
Sandra Gould and George Tobias played Abner and Gladys Kravitz. Tobias played Abner for the length of the show, while Gould replaced Alice Pearce. Both were seasoned stage, film and radio performers.
When George Tobias passed away, the hearse carrying his body was stolen and taken for a joyride. His family said that Tobias had such a wicked sense of humour that he would have found that hilarious.
AUNT CLARA
Marion Lorne played bumbling Aunt Clara from 1964-1968. She was one of the show’s most beloved characters and the actress herself was adored by the cast. The only one of Samantha's relatives for whom Darrin regularly shows affection is the bumbling, absent-minded but lovable Aunt Clara. She has a collection of over a thousand doorknobs (inspired by Lorne's real-life collection). She died ten days before being awarded the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress from a heart attack. Rather than recast the role after Lorne's death in 1968, a similar witch, the anxiety-ridden and magically inept housekeeper Esmeralda (Alice Ghostley), was introduced in her place.
UNCLE ARTHUR
Paul Lynde portrayed Uncle Arthur, Samantha’s practical-joking relative. Lynde was a flamboyant homosexual who later found great success on Hollywood Squares. He also tried his hand at a sitcom of his own, The Paul Lynde Show which lasted briefly. Lynde died under mysterious circumstances when he was found dead after having drowned in his backyard swimming pool allegedly under the influence of alcohol, or after suffering a heart attack in January 1982 at age 55. He had been in ill-health for over a year with cancer or other illness that was never fully revealed.
MAURICE
Maurice Evans was cast as Samantha’s imperious, but loving, father, also named Maurice. Evans pronounced his name “Morris,” but producers went with the more regal-sounding “Maurice.” Evans was a well-respected Shakespearean actor who, as Samantha’s father, was always given at least one classic soliloquy in each episode of Bewitched in which he appeared. Like Agnes Moorehead, Evans felt genuine parental affection for Elizabeth Montgomery, even referring to her as “my daughter” off of the set. Evans was rumoured to be another of the list of gay cast members on the show.
SERENA
Although Elizabeth Montgomery also played the role of her wild, sexy cousin Serena, as an inside joke, the role of Serena was credited to Pandora Spocks.