The Courageous Life and Tragic Death of Actor Dick Sargent: TV’s “Second Darrin” on ‘Bewitched’

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[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the commentary and quotes in this article are from interviews the author conducted with those actors mentioned.]

The Big Bewitched Picture

Bewitched remains one of the most popular television shows in the medium's history. Originally broadcast on ABC from 1964 to 1972, the show remains popular in syndication, streaming platforms, and home media.

The supernatural half-hour sitcom features Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha, the witch-with-a-twitch, Stephens, married to a mortal named Darrin, played first by Dick York and then by Dick Sargent.

All three actors have passed away. Montgomery succumbed to colon cancer in 1995. York of emphysema in 1992. Sargent in 1994 from prostate cancer.

Sargent's Courageous Revelation

Before Dick Sargent died, he came out of the closet. He was gay. The actor decided to reveal his true identity in a big way. He served as a Co-Grand Marshall, alongside Montgomery, at the Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade.

Sargent did so, he said, “Because of the high suicide rate of young homosexuals.” He wanted to "help save lives,” he added.

Interestingly, a core theme of Bewitched was and remains prejudice. Montgomery once noted, “Yeah…that’s what I want this show to be all about.”

As one of TV’s first interracial couples, Samantha and Darrin loved each other despite their differences. Instead, they concentrated on what made them the same: their humanity.

Additional Underlined Themes of Bewitched

With additional themes including a strong work ethic, and true romantic love and friendship, Bewitched addressed social issues long before more “realistic” comedies like All in the Family, Maude, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

In this way, Bewitched was ahead of its time, as was Dick Sargent, who became one of the first celebrities to be openly gay, and to advocate publically for the LBGTQ community.