A Magical Icon
When you hear the name Elizabeth Montgomery, you immediately picture the playful twinkle that accompanied her famous nose twitch on Bewitched. Her charm and talent captivated millions, making her one of the most beloved actresses of her generation. In the 1960s, her portrayal of Samantha Stephens—the magical, mischievous witch—turned her into a global phenomenon.
Early Life and Family Influence
Elizabeth Montgomery was born on April 15, 1933, in Los Angeles, California. Acting ran in her blood. Her mother was a Broadway actress, and her father, Robert Montgomery, was a celebrated film actor. From a young age, she aspired to act. In a 1954 interview, she recalled climbing onto her father’s lap and declaring, “I’m going to be an actress when I grow up.” She credited her father for helping her get early television roles, saying, “Daddy did help me get a break in TV, and I’m really grateful for his assistance and guidance. He’s my most severe critic, but also a true friend as well as a loving father.”
Elizabeth studied at the Spence School in New York City and later trained for three years at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. While still a teenager, she appeared on Robert Montgomery Presents, gaining early exposure to the industry. In 1953, she debuted on Broadway in Late Love, and in 1955, she made her first film appearance in The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell.
Love and Heartbreak
Elizabeth’s personal life reflected both joy and turbulence. She married Frederick Gallatin Cammann in 1954, but the union ended in divorce a year later. In 1956, she married actor Gig Young; they divorced in 1963. While filming Johnny Cool, she met director William Asher. Their professional collaboration soon became romantic, leading to marriage in 1963 and three children together.
Career Breakthrough: Bewitched
Although she appeared in shows like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Loretta Young Show, The Untouchables, and The Twilight Zone, Elizabeth is best remembered as Samantha Stephens in Bewitched. The show aired from 1964 to 1972, earning her household fame. Her signature nose twitch became iconic, with fans imitating it worldwide.
Reflecting on the role, she told the Associated Press in 1965: “I liked the idea of picking a script I liked with a character I could sustain for an hour. In a series, you live with one character day in and day out—I only hoped it wouldn’t drive me crazy.” During Bewitched, she earned five Primetime Emmy nominations and four Golden Globe nominations.
Reinventing Herself in TV Movies
After her divorce from Asher and the end of Bewitched, Elizabeth embraced television movies, exploring darker, complex roles. She starred in 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 (1995). During Mrs. Sundance, she met Robert Foxworth, who became her partner until her death; they married in 1993.
Author Herbie J. Pilato called her “the first Queen of TV movies,” noting she transitioned seamlessly from witches to more serious roles.
Tragic Loss and Legacy
Elizabeth Montgomery’s life ended prematurely due to cancer. She fell ill while filming Deadline for Murder, and by March 1995, the disease had spread to her liver. She passed away peacefully at her Beverly Hills home, surrounded by her husband and three children.
A memorial followed at the Canon Theatre in Beverly Hills, featuring performances by Herbie Hancock and remarks by Dominick Dunne. She was cremated at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Enduring Influence
Throughout her career, Elizabeth cherished variety in her roles. In a 1992 interview, she said, “They all have different kinds of ‘feels,’ and that’s probably one of the reasons why I’ve done them. People never know what I’m going to do next.”
Today, she remains a symbol of a simpler, more innocent era of television. Her playful charm, natural beauty, and iconic nose twitch continue to delight fans. Herbie J. Pilato summarized her essence: “Elizabeth was the least arrogant star I’ve ever met. She channeled that down-to-earth quality into Samantha, and we all loved her.”
Elizabeth Montgomery’s legacy endures as a testament to talent, versatility, and timeless charm.
