Contents
Introduction
Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery was an American actress who rose to fame for her role as Samantha Stephens, the good witch, on the popular TV series Bewitched. She was also known for her roles in many TV movies, such as A Case of Rape and The Legend of Lizzie Borden. She died on May 18, 1995, at the age of 62, after a short but fierce battle with colorectal cancer. In this article, we will explore the life and death of Elizabeth Montgomery, and how she left behind a legacy of magic and activism.
Early Life and Career
Elizabeth Montgomery was born on April 15, 1933, in Los Angeles, California, to a prominent Hollywood family. Her father was Robert Montgomery, a film star and producer, and her mother was Elizabeth Bryan Allen, a Broadway actress. She had an elder sister who died in infancy, and a younger brother, Robert Jr. She was of Irish and Scottish descent, and a distant cousin of Lizzie Borden, whom she later portrayed on screen.
Montgomery attended the Westlake School for Girls in California, and the Spence School in New York. She studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan for three years, and made her debut on her father’s TV series, Robert Montgomery Presents, in 1951. She also appeared in over 200 live TV programs in the 1950s, and made her Broadway debut in 1956, in the play Late Love, for which she won a Theater World Award.
Montgomery’s film career was less successful, as she mostly played supporting roles in movies such as The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell, Johnny Cool, and Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed? She found her breakthrough role in 1964, when she was cast as Samantha Stephens, a witch who marries a mortal, on the sitcom Bewitched. The show was an instant hit, and ran for eight seasons, earning Montgomery five Emmy nominations and four Golden Globe nominations. She also met her third husband, William Asher, who was the producer and director of the show. They had three children together, William Jr., Robert, and Rebecca.
Later Career and Activism
After Bewitched ended in 1972, Montgomery continued to work in TV, mostly in movies and miniseries. She often played strong and controversial characters, such as a rape victim in A Case of Rape, a murderer in The Legend of Lizzie Borden, and a journalist in The Awakening Land. She also starred in two short-lived series, The Tabitha Show and Deadline for Murder. She received three more Emmy nominations for her TV work, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1988.
Montgomery was also involved in various forms of political and social activism throughout her career. She supported causes such as feminism, civil rights, animal rights, and AIDS awareness. She was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War, and participated in anti-war rallies and protests. She also campaigned for Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, and endorsed George McGovern in 1972. She was a friend and supporter of gay rights activist Morris Kight, and narrated a documentary about him in 1992. She was also a patron of the Los Angeles Zoo, and donated money and time to animal welfare organizations.
Diagnosis and Death
In March 1995, Montgomery was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer, which had spread to her liver and lungs. She had ignored the symptoms for a long time, and by the time she sought medical help, it was too late. She underwent surgery to remove a tumor, but the cancer was inoperable. She decided to spend her final days at her home in Beverly Hills, surrounded by her family and friends. She died on May 18, 1995, just two months after her diagnosis. She was cremated, and her ashes were scattered over the Pacific Ocean.
Montgomery’s death shocked and saddened her fans and colleagues, who remembered her as a talented and charming actress, and a compassionate and courageous person. Her husband, Robert Foxworth, whom she married in 1993, said in a statement: “She was a friend who has been in our living room thousands of times and has impacted our lives in many ways.” Her Bewitched co-star, Dick Sargent, who played her second husband, Darrin, said: “She was a great lady and I will miss her terribly.” Her son, William Asher Jr., said: “She was the best mother anyone could ever have. She was very loving and supportive.”
Conclusion
Elizabeth Montgomery was one of the most beloved and versatile actresses of her generation, who enchanted millions of viewers with her portrayal of Samantha Stephens on Bewitched. She also proved her range and depth as an actress in many TV movies, where she tackled challenging and diverse roles. She was also a passionate and outspoken activist, who used her fame and influence to support various causes and movements. She died too soon, at the age of 62, after a brief battle with colorectal cancer. She left behind a legacy of magic and activism, and a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of her fans.
