Let me tell you a story about a woman who truly had a magic touch—Elizabeth Montgomery. With just a twitch of her nose, she cast a spell on millions as the beloved Samantha Stephens in Bewitched. But there was so much more to Elizabeth than her role as a sly sorceress. Off-screen, she was just as enchanting. "Elizabeth was the least arrogant star I've ever met," reminisces Herbie J. Pilato, author of Twitch Upon a Star and executive producer of the documentary Elizabeth Montgomery: A Bewitched Life. "She brought that down-to-earth charm into Samantha, and we all fell in love with her."
The Complex Legacy of a Hollywood Legacy
Elizabeth Montgomery wasn’t just any star. She came from Hollywood royalty, with a father who was none other than the legendary movie star Robert Montgomery. Her mother, Elizabeth Allen, was a Broadway actress who gave up her career to support her husband. But despite her star-studded lineage, Elizabeth faced a challenge that would shape her life: her father didn’t want her to follow in their footsteps. “Robert never wanted his daughter to become an actress,” explains Pilato. It was a hurdle that Elizabeth would have to overcome on her own.
Against All Odds: Elizabeth's Early Career
Undeterred by her father’s disapproval, Elizabeth pursued her dreams with determination. She enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan and even convinced her father to cast her in his TV show, Robert Montgomery Presents, in 1951. However, this didn’t mean her father’s stance softened. While Elizabeth earned critical acclaim on Broadway, her father remained a tough critic. “He’d send notes critiquing her performances, like, ‘You didn’t do this right on stage,’” reveals Pilato. It was clear that pleasing her father wasn’t going to be easy.
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Marriage Attempts and Heartbreak
Elizabeth’s efforts to gain her father’s approval included her marriage to Frederick Cammann in 1954. “Fred was young, handsome, and rich,” says Pilato. “He was from the upper crust of New York, and Robert Montgomery loved that.” But the marriage was short-lived. “Elizabeth wanted to be a star, and Fred wanted a wife,” explains Pilato. The union was doomed from the start, setting the tone for Elizabeth’s complicated relationships with men for much of her life.
Surviving a Troubled Marriage
Elizabeth’s next marriage was to actor Gig Young, a decision that many believe was a rebellion against her father. “She was sticking it to her father by marrying Gig,” says Pilato. However, the marriage turned abusive, and Elizabeth eventually found the strength to leave. “She just couldn’t take the abuse anymore,” explains Pilato. It was a painful chapter in her life, but one that ultimately led to her finding her own path.
Success and Advocacy Amidst Challenges
Despite her personal struggles, Elizabeth’s career continued to soar. She appeared in various TV series and earned her first of nine Emmy nominations for an episode of The Untouchables in 1961. Her big break came when she met director William Asher while filming the 1963 crime drama Johnny Cool. They fell in love, married, and had three children together. Their partnership extended to Bewitched, which became not only a surprise hit but also a labor of love. “I was never bored on set, not one minute for eight years,” Elizabeth once said.
Using Her Influence for Good
Elizabeth wasn’t just a star; she was a trailblazer. “She was one of the first actresses to advocate for those suffering from AIDS,” Pilato tells Closer. This activism aligned with the anti-prejudice message of Bewitched, where Samantha and Darrin’s love transcended their differences. Behind the scenes, however, things weren’t always as magical. “William had an affair that broke Elizabeth’s heart,” says Pilato. The show eventually ended, as did their marriage.
A Happy Ending
By the time Elizabeth met her fourth husband, actor Robert Foxworth, her heart had healed. The couple enjoyed a happy union until Elizabeth’s untimely death from colon cancer at age 62 in 1995. “Robert’s children adored her. Elizabeth’s children adored her,” says Pilato. Even her difficult father “finally came around toward the end,” adds Pilato. “There was no hate, just love.”
