Picture a witch who dreams of a normal life as a housewife married to an ordinary man—that's exactly what "Bewitched," the beloved TV show that aired for eight seasons from 1964 to 1972, is all about. If you haven't seen it yet, it's worth a look.
The enchanting Samantha Stephens, known for her signature nose twitch, was brought to life by the stunning Elizabeth Montgomery. A star of the 1960s, Montgomery’s career was sadly cut short.
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| Wikipedia Commons / ABC |
Born on April 15, 1933, in Los Angeles, Montgomery was the daughter of Broadway actress Elizabeth Bryan and acclaimed actor Robert Montgomery. Following in her father’s footsteps, she pursued a career in acting.
In a 1954 Los Angeles Times interview, Montgomery reflected on her early aspirations, saying, “Dad tells me I often climbed on his lap after dinner and said, ‘I’m going to be an actress when I grow up.’ I’m not sure if he encouraged me, but he promised to humor me and see what happened. I’m very grateful for his help and guidance. He’s my toughest critic, but also a true friend and loving father.”
Montgomery began her television career as a teenager on "Robert Montgomery Presents," her father’s show, and went on to make numerous TV appearances.
At 20, she made her Broadway debut in "Late Love" and soon transitioned to film with her role in "The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell."
She quickly became a household name, starring in several films like "Mrs. Sundance" (1973), "A Case of Rape" (1974), "The Legend of Lizzie Borden" (1975), "Black Widow Murders" (1993), "The Corpse Had a Familiar Face" (1994), and "Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan" (1995). However, her portrayal of Samantha Stephens in "Bewitched" remains her most iconic role. As Montgomery herself noted in a 1965 AP interview, “I had never thought much about a series. I liked choosing scripts and characters for individual episodes. In a series, you live with one character every day and hope it’s one you can handle.”
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| Flickr |
Montgomery's personal life included four marriages. Her first marriage to Frederick Gallatin Cammann ended quickly, followed by a marriage to actor Gig Young, which also ended in divorce in 1963. While working on "Johnny Cool," she met her third husband, William Asher, with whom she had three children. Her fourth husband, Robert Foxworth, remained with her until her death.
Herbie J Pilato, author of two books on Elizabeth Montgomery, noted, “Before Jane Seymour, Lindsay Wagner, and Valerie Bertinelli, Elizabeth was the original Queen of TV movies. She transitioned from being the queen of witches to the queen of TV movies, and it was no longer a struggle to move beyond 'Bewitched.'”
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| American actress Elizabeth Montgomery (1933 – 1995), circa 1965. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) |
Elizabeth Montgomery passed away from colon cancer in 1995, a disease she had thought she had overcome. By the time it was detected, the cancer had spread to her liver. She died peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by her husband and daughters. She was cremated at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Elizabeth Montgomery was a remarkable actress whose legacy continues to be cherished.
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