By Davan 
Elizabeth Montgomery’s life was as captivating as the characters she portrayed, with her journey spanning early exposure to the entertainment industry, a breakthrough role that made her a television legend, and an ongoing legacy that touched hearts long after her passing. Early Life: Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery was born on April 15, 1933, in Los Angeles, California, to a family deeply entrenched in the entertainment world. Her father, Robert Montgomery, was an acclaimed actor, and her mother, Elizabeth Daniel, was a Broadway actress. Growing up in such an illustrious household, Elizabeth was surrounded by the glamour of Hollywood from an early age. Despite this exposure, she initially aspired to become a painter, believing her future lay in the arts outside of acting. However, it was the world of performance that called her name.
After high school, Elizabeth enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, a prestigious institution known for producing some of the best talent in the industry. Upon graduation, she began to explore the world of acting in earnest. Her early career included various stage performances, including Broadway appearances, but her true break came in the world of television. Before Bewitched: Elizabeth’s television career began in the early 1950s, when she appeared in several guest spots on popular TV series. Her first credited television role came in 1951, and she would go on to appear in a variety of genres, including dramas, comedies, and westerns. Elizabeth made her film debut in 1955 in The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell, a military drama, and followed it with various television films. Her early roles were often in the background, but her innate charm and talent were unmistakable. She also began to land more substantial roles in TV movies and series, including appearances on The Twilight Zone, The Untouchables, and The Fugitive. While these roles did not immediately catapult her to stardom, they provided the foundation for her growing reputation as a versatile and capable actress. In 1963, she appeared in Johnny Cool and Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die, expanding her work in film as well. The Breakthrough: Bewitched In 1964, Elizabeth Montgomery’s career reached new heights when she was cast as Samantha Stephens in Bewitched. The role was a perfect fit for Montgomery’s talents—she effortlessly combined humor, sweetness, and a touch of mischief to create the character of a suburban witch who is constantly trying to live a normal life while dealing with the complexities of her magical powers. The show was groundbreaking, mixing family sitcom elements with supernatural fantasy, and its success was instant. Bewitched ran for eight seasons, from 1964 to 1972, during which Montgomery became a beloved TV icon.
Her performance as Samantha not only earned her a devoted fan base but also established her as one of television’s brightest stars. The show was a ratings hit, regularly ranking among the top 10 most-watched shows in the U.S. Montgomery’s portrayal of Samantha won her numerous award nominations, and she became one of the most recognizable faces of the 1960s and early 1970s. Her iconic nose twitch, used to conjure magic, became synonymous with the show, and fans loved the witty chemistry she had with her co-stars, particularly with Dick York and later Dick Sargent, who played her husband, Darrin. In addition to her acting success, Montgomery’s character broke boundaries by portraying a strong, independent woman who was both domestic and magical. The show also explored social themes such as feminism, societal expectations, and the balancing of personal desires with family life. Post-Bewitched: After Bewitched ended in 1972, Elizabeth Montgomery found herself typecast to some degree, but her acting skills were far too vast to be confined to one role. She sought to diversify her career by taking on more serious and dramatic roles in TV movies, where her range truly shone. In the 1970s and 1980s, Montgomery starred in several highly acclaimed made-for-TV films, such as A Case of Rape (1974), in which she portrayed a woman who becomes a victim of sexual assault and fights for justice, and The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975), in which she played the infamous axe murderer. These performances demonstrated her acting prowess and willingness to tackle difficult and controversial subject matter. Montgomery’s post-Bewitched roles were diverse, ranging from The Victim (1972), Mrs. Sundance (1974), and Black Widow Murders (1987). However, she did not appear in as many high-profile television series.
Despite her absence from regular network television, Elizabeth maintained her status as a respected actress within Hollywood and continued to enjoy a loyal fan following from her Bewitched days. Personal Life and Activism: Beyond her career, Elizabeth Montgomery became increasingly involved in activism. She was passionate about women’s rights, advocating for social causes and using her platform to bring attention to issues she cared about. One of her most notable efforts was her outspoken support for the LGBTQ community, a cause she championed long before it became widely accepted. She also participated in numerous charity events and used her fame to support various humanitarian causes. Montgomery’s personal life was eventful, with four marriages, including to William Asher, the producer of Bewitched. The couple was married from 1963 to 1974, and their collaboration on the show was one of the defining relationships of her career. She also married actor Gig Young in 1976, and later, producer Robert Foxworth. Her personal life, though often marked by public interest, remained relatively private compared to her on-screen persona. Legacy and Death: Sadly, Elizabeth Montgomery’s life was cut short by cancer.
She passed away on May 18, 1995, at the age of 62, leaving behind a legacy that has continued to endure. Her work in Bewitched remains iconic, and her contributions to television as a pioneering female star are still recognized today. After her death, tributes poured in, honoring her role as an actress who transcended the world of sitcoms and became an influential figure in the entertainment industry. Montgomery’s impact went beyond her television career, and she is remembered for her warmth, versatility, and groundbreaking roles. In recognition of her achievements, she remains a significant figure in pop culture history, and Bewitched continues to be a beloved show for new generations of fans. Elizabeth Montgomery’s legacy as an actress, philanthropist, and trailblazer in entertainment lives on, inspiring both those who grew up watching her and new audiences discovering her work.