Most of us remember the enchanting sight of little Tabitha twitching her nose and casting spells on Bewitched, but few realize that the mischievous witch was actually portrayed by fraternal twins Diane and Erin Murphy. Born on June 17, 1964 in Encino, California, the sisters alternated in the role—first Diane, then Erin—as the show transitioned from black‑and‑white to color. Their mother gave up teaching to care for them, while their father ran a small business college in Los Angeles.
In those early years, Danny Thomas’s daughter Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) and her unsuspecting husband Darrin welcomed their magical child into living rooms across America. Tabitha’s innocent experiments with witchcraft delighted viewers, but for Diane and Erin, the set was more than a fantasy world: it was home. Erin later recalled how Elizabeth Montgomery mentored her, offering both parenting advice and a model of kindness. And Agnes Moorehead—who played Tabitha’s formidable grandmother Endora—became like a real grandmother to Erin, regaling her with stories and doodling cartoons during breaks.
Despite the glamour, Erin yearned for a normal adolescence. By age thirteen she quietly left show business, though she maintained a lifelong friendship with Montgomery until her death in 1995. Diane, meanwhile, focused on academics, earning a B.S. in psychology and sociology and an M.B.A. in management. Today she serves as associate executive director of Shelter Services for Women in Santa Barbara and sits on a community foundation board that awards scholarships to LGBTQ students.
Erin’s post‑Hollywood life has been equally vibrant. A mother of six boys—now aged 17 to 35—and proud grandmother, she channels her creativity into television hosting, motivational speaking, and even crafting alpaca knitwear for her business, Erin Murphy Knits. She also founded Slim Chillers, the popular frozen vodka martini popsicle brand. “I never thought I’d end up in the alcohol business,” Erin laughs, “but I’ve enjoyed a few good martinis in my life.”
Though decades have passed, fans still recognize her as the little witch with the big imagination. Erin celebrates each anniversary of Bewitched on social media—most recently marking sixty years since Tabitha’s debut in 1964—and delights in meeting admirers who remember her fondly. Diane, meanwhile, continues to make a difference behind the scenes, advocating for survivors of domestic violence and supporting her community.
From child star to businesswoman, from on‑screen witch to real‑life mentor and mother, the Murphy twins have woven magic into everything they touch—proving that the most powerful spells come not from wands, but from love, dedication, and the courage to follow your own path.
