'Bewitched' Actress Agnes Moorhead ("Endora") Instilled Tears in Co-Star Dick Sargent ("Darrin #2")

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[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all commentary and quotes from actors David White and Elizabeth Montgomery are from their interviews conducted directly by the author.]

Overview

The classic TV supernatural sitcom Bewitched (ABC, 1964-72) remains one of the most popular shows in history. But while in production, all was not well between two cast members on the series.

A Closer Look

The original cast of Bewitched included series lead Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha, the witch-with-a-twitch, Stephens, who was married to mortal advertising man Darrin Stephens, first played by Dick York. When York reluctantly left the series due to health issues, Dick Sargent took over and remained with the show until its cancelation.

However, according to David White, who played Darrin's adman boss Larry Tate, Agnes Moorehead, who portrayed Samantha's feisty witch mother, Endora, was not pleased with the York-Sargent transition.

"At the table read of Dick Sargent's first script," White recalled, "Aggie [Moorehead] stood up and said, concerning [Sargent], 'I don't like change.'"

Upon filming the first few episodes of the show's 7th season, which was Sargent's second year as Darrin, the cast flew to Salem, MA for on-location shoots. As White also noted, "Dick Sargent had tears in his eyes, which was a result of the way Aggie was treating him."

At one point, Montgomery had to step in to soothe the waters and talk with Moorehead. "I know how you can be," she told Moorehead, "and you know how you can be. So, please be nice to Dick [Sargent]. He's got a very difficult job in replacing [York]."

"And from there," Montgomery said, "Aggie said, 'Alright,' and that was that."

Conclusion

No matter the tensions behind the scenes of Bewitched, the show, this year celebrating its 60th Anniversary, has amassed a massive following