The Bewitched cast appeared to be as close as possible while filming the hit '60s TV series, which followed neighborhood witch Samantha Stephens and her husband, Darrin Stephens, as they navigated suburban life with a magical twist. However, all was not as it seemed, according to Erin Murphy, who portrayed Darrin and Samantha's daughter, Tabitha Stephens, on the show.
Erin and her twin sister, Diane, who also played Tabitha, worked closely with Elizabeth Montgomery (Samantha), Dick York (Darrin), Agnes Moorhead (Endora), and David White (Larry) on the Bewitched set until Dick fell gravely ill in 1969.
Erin revealed on The Magnificent Others podcast that when Dick left the show after season five due to ongoing medical issues, Elizabeth never spoke to him again, despite fans believing that they shared a close friendship.
© Disney General Entertainment Con"She never talked to Dick York after he left the set," the former child star explained. "There are some lovely stories out there on social media about how she showed up when he was dying, and that no, he left the show and she never spoke to him again."
"She did a job and left the job, and that was it," Erin continued. "I saw her side where she wasn't necessarily as soft and kind as Samantha."
"She was a businesswoman, and she was serious and definitely had that side…I'm not saying things that are disparaging…That part didn't hit me, maybe until later."
© Disney General Entertainment ConShe added: "It's like the show ended, and you know, we'd stay in touch with Christmas cards. And I was dear friends and still am with Elizabeth Montgomery and Bill Asher's kids. So I stayed in touch with her through her children…She was the mom of my friends."
Dick was forced to leave the show due to a medical episode on set that stemmed from a previous and debilitating injury. "He was on all kinds of pain pills, and it finally got so bad that he just couldn't work anymore. It was devastating," said Sandra Gould, who played the Stephens' neighbor, Gladys Kravitz, in the Bewitched 60th anniversary special, created by Daniel Henares. "It was just awful."
© Disney General Entertainment ConWhile filming an episode in February 1969, Dick was hoisted onto a platform, which caused him so much pain that he collapsed, passed out, and suffered an epileptic fit.
© Disney General Entertainment ConHe was then rushed to hospital and forced to leave the show for good in the weeks following. "That was the worst day of my life because I thought I'd failed everybody," Dick previously told People. "It was the only thing I'd started that I didn't finish. I didn't finish that show, so I felt guilty, and I felt embarrassed, and I felt that I let everybody down."
© Getty ImagesHe was replaced as Darrin by Dick Sargent on the show, with audiences receiving no explanation as to why the actors were switched out. He remained in the role until the series came to an end in 1972.
While Dick York died in 1992, Dick Sargent passed away two years later, leaving Erin heartbroken. "Dick York was a dad, and he had a lot of kids, and he was just more paternal," she told People of her time on set with him. "So he was more like a dad. Dick Sargent was a great guy, and we were in touch up until he passed away."
