This Actress Was One Of The Great Stars Of The '60s But Passed Away Far Too Soon

Jan 05, 2024 by apost team

Born in April 1933, this actress came to the public’s attention during the tail end of the golden era of Hollywood. Being the daughter of famed actor Robert Montgomery, she inherited a passion for the craft that would eventually define her own illustrious career. 

Growing up surrounded by the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry, she honed her skills on stage and television, making her debut at the tender age of 18 in her father’s show “Robert Montgomery Presents.”

However, it was her breakthrough role as Samantha Stephens in the hit sitcom “Bewitched” that catapulted her into the hearts of millions. The show, which aired from 1964 to 1972, showcased The acclaimed artist’s remarkable comedic timing and versatility, earning her multiple Emmy nominations and establishing her as a beloved household name. 

Beyond her on-screen success, she was a trailblazer, breaking barriers as one of the first female producers in Hollywood. Her commitment to challenging norms and promoting gender equality behind the scenes echoed her enchanting presence on-screen, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment landscape.

This actress’ cinematic journey is a captivating tapestry woven with diverse roles that showcase her unparalleled talent. While “Bewitched” secured her a place in television history, her foray into film further solidified her status as a versatile actress. 

Her career was marked by various milestones and accomplishments. As a celebrated female artist at the time, her work was deemed valuable and has inspired countless celebrities to pursue the path to greatness. Read on to learn more about this actress and her colorful journey as a talented artist. 

Growing up, Elizabeth Montgomery already knew that she wanted to be an actress. In a 1954 interview with The Los Angeles Times, Elizabeth had this to say to her father, actor Robert: 

“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.”

Eventually, Elizabeth earned her big break on her father’s show “Robert Montgomery Presents.” She acknowledged the privilege of having a celebrity father: 

” 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. He’s my most severe critic, but also a true friend as well as loving father.”

As she was starting to gain momentum in her career, Elizabeth married Frederick Gallatin Cammann in 1954, but they divorced in 1953. She then married Gig Young in 1956 and divorced him in 1963. In the same year, she met and married William Asher, and they went on to have three children. 

Eventually, her career took off and she graced the silver screen with notable performances in films such as “The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell” in 1955 and “Johnny Cool” in 1963, demonstrating her ability to seamlessly transition between genres. Her serious role in “A Case of Rape” in 1974 showcased a depth and range that transcended the comedic charm of Samantha Stephens. 

Montgomery’s commitment to tackling socially relevant issues continued with her role in “The Legend of Lizzie Borden” in 1975. She also appeared on television in “The Rules of Marriage” in 1982 and “Black Widow Murders: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story” in 1993. 

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Despite the many characters she had portrayed and the many roles she had taken on, Montgomery’s most iconic performance was still “Bewitched,” which she did not know back then if it would be a hit. 

” 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. 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,” Elizabeth told the Associated Press, as quoted by Deseret News. 

Sadly, her marriage with Asher didn’t last, and they split up in 1973. In the same year, she met Robert Foxworth, but they didn’t marry until 1993. She went on to star in many more television shows in the 80s, making her an undisputed royalty on the small screen, too. 

“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 and it was no longer a struggle to break away from Bewitched,” Herbie J Pilato, the author of two books on Elizabeth Montgomery, wrote, as quoted by Closer Weekly. 

According to The Los Angeles Times, Elizabeth passed away when she was 62, although her family listed her age to be 57 at the time of her death in the publication. 

Elizabeth reportedly suffered from colon cancer. She allegedly ignored the symptoms, and it was diagnosed late already. She decided to stay in her home to live out her disease, prompting the cancer cells to spread from her colon to her liver. She died on May 18, 1995. 

Do you remember Elizabeth Montgomery? What is your favorite performance of her? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other loved ones out there!