The ‘Bewitched’ Cast Could’ve Used a Bit of Magic in Their Lives — Here’s What Happened to Them

One of the most beloved examples of Classic TV shows of the 1960s — and there were a lot of them — was undoubtedly Bewitched. That show, which ran on ABC from 1964 to 1972, took the domestic situation comedy and turned it on its head by focusing on mortal advertising exec Darrin Stephens (first Dick York, then Dick Sargent) who falls in love with and marries Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery), who turns out to be a witch. What follows is their attempt to live a normal life despite her extraordinary abilities and her magical family member — in particular her interfering mother, Endora (Agnes Moorehead).

In some ways it sounds like a concept that would have a limited shelf life (one could say the same thing about My Favorite Martian, Mister Ed or even Gilligan’s Island), but the show spanned a total of eight seasons and delighted audiences. A major part of its appeal came from the cast that brought the show to life week to week, not just the regulars. Just consider Paul Lynde, who played Samantha’s punny Uncle Arthur and who, while only appearing in a total of 11 episodes, had a presence so strong that people believe that he was actually a regular.

As we’ve done before with Father Knows Best and The Addams Family, we’re taking an up close look at the cast of Bewitched before, during and after the show. In this case we’re enlisting TV historians Herbie J Pilato and Ed Robertson. Herbie is the host of the streaming Amazon/Shout Factory Classic TV Talk Show Then Again With Herbie J Pilato, and author of the books Twitch Upon a Star: The Bewitched Life and Career of Elizabeth Montgomery, The Essential Elizabeth Montgomery: A Guide to Her Magical Performances and Bewitched Forever, all of which can be ordered from him directly. Ed has written numerous TV-related books and is the host of the podcast TV Confidential.

Please scroll down for much more on the cast of Bewitched.

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