A story about an extraordinary being, like a witch, marrying an ordinary man and attempting to lead a typical housewife’s life sounds like a fascinating concept for television. In fact, this very premise was brought to life in the classic series Bewitched, which aired for eight successful seasons from 1964 to 1972. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s definitely worth checking out.
The show featured the enchanting character of Samantha Stephens, who captured the hearts of millions with her signature nose twitch. This iconic role was brought to life by a talented actress whose charm and beauty made her a star in the 1960s. Sadly, her life was cut tragically short.
Born on April 15, 1933, in Los Angeles, she was the daughter of a Broadway actress and a prominent film star. Following in her father’s footsteps, she expressed an early desire to pursue acting. In a 1954 interview, she recalled telling her father, “I’m going to be an actress when I grow up.” While it’s unclear how much encouragement she received, her father did help her break into television, something she was always grateful for.
Her television debut came as a teenager on her father’s show, Robert Montgomery Presents, leading to several more appearances. At the age of 20, she made her Broadway debut in Late Love and two years later, she appeared in her first film, The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell.
Over the years, she became a household name, starring in numerous films such as Mrs. Sundance (1973), A Case of Rape (1974), The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975), Black Widow Murders (1993), The Corpse Had a Familiar Face (1994), and Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan (1995). Yet, her portrayal of Samantha Stephens in Bewitched remains one of her most beloved roles. In a 1965 interview, she admitted that she hadn’t initially considered a series because she preferred choosing scripts that suited her. However, she embraced the challenge of playing a single character day in and day out.
Throughout her life, she was married four times. Her first marriage was brief, followed by another to an award-winning actor, which ended in 1963. She met her third husband while filming Johnny Cool, and together they had three children. Her fourth marriage lasted until her passing.
Described as the first “Queen of the TV movies” by a biographer, she successfully transitioned from her witchy role to a wide range of television films, leaving behind a legacy that still resonates.
In 1995, her life was tragically cut short by colon cancer, which had already spread to her liver by the time it was discovered. She passed away peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by her husband and daughters. Her remains were cremated in Los Angeles, and her memory lives on as an extraordinary talent deeply missed by her fans.
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