Dick York ("Darrin #1") Would Have Stayed on 'Bewitched' Had He'd Been Given More Time To "Rest up"

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

Overview

This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the classic TV show Bewitched, which originally aired on ABC from 1964 to 1972. The show remains popular in reruns, and will soon be released in a special Blu-ray edition to mark the anniversary.

The supernatural sitcom features Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha, the witch-with-a-twitch, Stephens who marries a mortal advertising executive named Darrin. That leading male role was played by two different actors: first by Dick York and then Dick Sargent.

York left the series after the fifth season due to health reasons, and Dick Sargent played the part until Elizabeth Montgomery ended the series in the spring of 1972.

However, as York noted in an interview from 1989, he would have "finished the entire run of the series if I had just been given that summer [of 1969] to rest up."

York, who was good friends with Sargent, never had anything against his replacement. "I think he did a fine job as Darrin," York said.

Sargent was just as complimentary about York during an interview in 1988. "He was excellent as Darrin," Sargent said.

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What Samantha Said

In an interview in 1989, Montgomery said both actors did a "terrific job" as Darrin. "They each brought their own special element to the role."

To those who criticized Sargent's performance as "less animated" as Darrin, Montgomery said, "By the time Dick Sargent was cast on the show, the character of Darrin was more accepting of Samantha's magic."

As Sargent's performance "fit the character," Montgomery observed.

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In 'Witch' Conclusion

However, it would have proved intriguing to see how Dick York's interpretation of the role would have panned out had he indeed been "given that summer...to rest up."