When you hear the name Elizabeth Montgomery, it’s hard not to imagine the iconic twinkle that accompanied her signature nose twitch on Bewitched—a magical moment etched in television history.
Graceful, radiant, and endlessly charming, Montgomery captivated audiences across the globe in the 1960s, becoming not just a household name, but a true pop culture icon. Tragically, the beloved actress passed away unexpectedly in 1995, leaving behind a legacy that still enchants fans today.
At Newsner, we’ve featured countless stories about timeless beauty and talent—but Elizabeth Montgomery holds a special place in my heart. From the very first moment I saw her, I was completely smitten.
Unlike many stars of her time, Elizabeth didn’t rely on elaborate makeup or Hollywood glam squads to shine. Her beauty was effortless—natural, classic, and utterly captivating. Watching her portray Samantha Stephens, the lovable witch next door, was pure joy.
But what became of Elizabeth Montgomery after her magical run on Bewitched?
Had she lived, the legendary actress would have turned 91 in 2024. As we reflect on her life, it’s the perfect time to celebrate her remarkable journey on screen and the indelible mark she left on the world before her untimely passing.
Born on April 15, 1933, in Los Angeles, Elizabeth was destined for the spotlight. With a Broadway actress for a mother and acclaimed film star Robert Montgomery for a father, acting was quite literally in her blood.
In a 1954 interview with the Los Angeles Times, she recalled, “Dad tells me I often climbed on his lap after dinner and remarked, ‘I’m going to be an actress when I grow up.’ I don’t know whether he encouraged me or not, but he told me he would humor me and would tell me to wait and see what happened when I grew up.”
Her father’s influence opened doors, but her talent kept them wide open.
“I’ll be real honest and say that Daddy did help me get a break in TV and I’m really grateful for his assistance and guidance,” she said. “He’s my most severe critic, but also a true friend—as well as a loving father.”
Elizabeth Montgomery’s path to stardom began long before Bewitched made her a television legend.
Raised in California, Elizabeth eventually moved to New York City, where she attended the prestigious Spence School. After graduating, her passion for performance led her to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she studied acting for three years—honing the skills that would one day make her a household name.
She was still a teenager when she made her television debut on Robert Montgomery Presents, the popular drama anthology hosted by her father. That early exposure to the small screen quickly turned into a recurring opportunity, as Elizabeth made several appearances on the show—each time impressing audiences with her poise and natural talent.
By 1953, Elizabeth had conquered Broadway with her debut in Late Love. Just two years later, she transitioned to film, landing a role in The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell. Her heart, however, remained on the stage, and in 1957 she returned to Broadway, balancing theater, film, and television with effortless grace.
While her career was on a steady rise, Elizabeth’s personal life was more complex.
In 1954, she married Frederick Gallatin Cammann, but the union was short-lived, ending in divorce after just a year. Two years later, she wed actor Gig Young, an Oscar-winning star. Their relationship lasted until 1963, when they too parted ways.
That same year, while filming the crime thriller Johnny Cool, Elizabeth met director and television producer William Asher. Their chemistry was undeniable—both professionally and personally. They married in 1963 and went on to have three children together. Asher would later play a pivotal role in shaping the show that would define Elizabeth’s legacy.
Stealing Hearts as Samantha Stephens
Although Elizabeth had already earned praise for her roles in acclaimed series like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Loretta Young Show, The Untouchables, and The Twilight Zone, it was Bewitched that launched her into superstardom.
Premiering in 1964, the magical sitcom cast Elizabeth as Samantha Stephens—a sweet, smart, and spellbinding witch married to a mortal man. Her nose-twitching charm, quick wit, and on-screen warmth quickly made her a fan favorite. The series ran for eight seasons, ending in 1972, and during that time, Elizabeth became one of the most beloved stars on television.
Fans everywhere tried to mimic Samantha’s iconic nose twitch—a gesture that became as famous as the show itself.
“I’d never thought much about a series because I liked the idea of picking a script I liked with a character I thought I could sustain for an hour,” she told the Associated Press in 1965. “In a series, you live with one character day in and day out—and you only hope it will be one that will not drive you crazy.”
Thankfully for Elizabeth, and for audiences everywhere, Samantha Stephens was exactly that.
Her performance earned her five Primetime Emmy Award nominations and four Golden Globe nods—solidifying her place as one of the most enchanting actresses of her time.
After Bewitched ended—and following her divorce from William Asher—Elizabeth Montgomery embarked on a bold new chapter, reinventing herself as a powerhouse of television movies. These roles were a striking departure from her iconic witch Samantha Stephens, showcasing her dramatic range and depth as an actress.
She delivered unforgettable performances in 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).
It was during the filming of Mrs. Sundance that Elizabeth met Robert Foxworth. Their bond grew strong, lasting until her passing in 1995, though they waited until 1993 to marry.
“Before Jane Seymour, before Lindsay Wagner, and before Valerie Bertinelli, Elizabeth was the first Queen of the TV movies; she went from queen of the witches to queen of the TV movie,” said Herbie J. Pilato, author of two books on Montgomery. “For Elizabeth, breaking away from Bewitched was no longer a struggle—it was a triumphant evolution.”
Sadly, her vibrant career was cut short when she passed away on May 18, 1995, after a long battle with colon cancer.
While many sources list her birth year as 1933, making her 62 at the time of death, her family reported she was 57. The truth remains a little mystery—much like the enchanting roles she portrayed.
Elizabeth had fought the disease privately for years, believing she was cancer-free, but her health declined during filming of Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan. By the time she sought medical care in March 1995, the cancer had spread to her liver.
She peacefully passed away in her sleep at her Beverly Hills home, surrounded by her husband and their three children.
A month later, a touching memorial was held at the Canon Theatre in Beverly Hills, where jazz legend Herbie Hancock performed, and lifelong friend and author Dominick Dunne shared heartfelt memories of their early days in New York City.
Elizabeth Montgomery was cremated at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, leaving behind a legacy as luminous as the roles she embodied.
Reflecting on her career in a 1992 interview, she said, “They all have different kinds of ‘feels’ to them, and that’s probably one of the reasons why I’ve done them. I get letters from people saying one of the things they like best about what I’ve done since Bewitched is that they never know what I’m going to do next.”
Her ability to surprise and captivate audiences remained her true magic—one that still enchants generations today.
Flipping through photos from Bewitched instantly whisks us back to a simpler, more innocent time—a world where a playful nose twitch could spark a little everyday magic.
Elizabeth Montgomery’s radiant charm and that unforgettable twinkle remind us of an era when television brought warmth and wonder into living rooms across the nation. With every smile, she gifted joy to countless families, creating a legacy that still shines brightly as a beacon of TV’s golden age.
“Elizabeth was the least arrogant star I’ve ever met,” Herbie J. Pilato, author of Twitch Upon a Star and executive producer of the documentary Elizabeth Montgomery: A Bewitched Life, shared with Closer in April 2023. “She channeled that genuine down-to-earth spirit into Samantha, and we all adored her for it.”
Such a naturally stunning woman, whose light was sadly dimmed far too soon.
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