Why Did Dick York Leave Bewitched?
Why did Dick York Leave Bewitched? This has been a very popular question amongst retro TV aficionados throughout the years. Let get into the meat of the problem by first exploring the genesis of the hit television show Bewitched. We have a full article on this subject on it’s own page here. You can click the image below to read that article:
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Ugghhhhh, my back is killing me!
It is widely known that Dick York had major back problems but few know that he sustained that injury while making a movie called “They Came to Cordura”. This movie was a 1959 Western film starring Gary Cooper, Rita Hayworth, Van Heflin and Tab Hunter. Dick York played Private Renziehausen, not a memorable role for him.
In Dick York’s own words, “Gary Cooper and I were propelling a handcar carrying several wounded soldiers down the railroad track. I was on the down-stroke of this sort of teeter-totter mechanism that made the handcar run. I was lifting the handle up as the director yelled ‘cut!’ and then one of the wounded cast extras reached up and grabbed the handle suddenly, and jarringly, lifting my entire weight off the flat-bed. It was 180 lbs or so. The muscles along the right side of my back tore. They just snapped. And that was the start of it all: the pain, the painkillers, the addiction, the lost career.”
Problems on the Set
Why did Dick York Leave Bewitched? As you can imagine, working on a physical comedy show like Bewitched was extremely difficult for Mr York. The producers and directors made efforts to decrease Dick’s pain by shooting several scenes with him either leaning against a wall, sitting on a couch or lying in bed. This was a temporary fix to a permanent problem.
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In the 5th season of Bewitched, Dick had pushed himself so hard that he collapsed on set and had to be rushed to the hospital. After the incident, York and producer William Asher (Elizabeth Montgomery‘s real-life husband) had a long talk and they agreed that Dick would leave the show for good.
A New Dick
Despite declining ratings, Bewitched plowed ahead with season 6, replacing Dick York with Dick Sargent. Lackluster writing and competition from cutting-edge television shows like All in the Family, Bewitched struggled and eventually ended in 1974 with Dick Sargent putting in only 3 seasons as Darren Stevens
Only Speculation
Why did Dick York really leave Bewitched? It is a lesser known fact that Dick York was infatuated with Elizabeth Montgomery and frequently sat and stared love-struck while watching her work. This caused Elizabeth to become uncomfortable, a feeling she expressed to producer (and hubby) William Asher. Many people speculate that this tension only expedited York’s departure from the show. We’ll never really know!
Dick York was born on December 13, 1928 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and passed away on February 20, 1992. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his role in Bewitched and was also a Golden Globe nominee.
About Actor Dick Sargent
Dick Sargent’s Early Career: From Broadway to Hollywood. Dick Sargent began his career as an actor on Broadway in the 1950s. He made his Broadway debut in the musical “The Boy Friend” in 1954, and went on to appear in several other Broadway productions, including “The Music Man” and “The Pajama Game”.
In 1965, Sargent made his feature film debut in the comedy “The Great Race”. He went on to appear in several other films, including “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” and “The Shakiest Gun in the West”.
Throughout his career, Sargent continued to appear in both television and film roles. He appeared in a number of television movies, including “The Cat Creature” and “The Night Strangler”. He also had guest roles on shows such as “The Love Boat” and “Fantasy Island”.
Sargent’s career spanned more than four decades, from his Broadway debut in 1954 to his last television appearance in 1996. He was a versatile actor who was able to transition from stage to television to film with ease. His career was a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft.
Dick Sargent’s Later Career: From TV to Voice Acting
Dick Sargent is best known for his role as Darrin Stephens in the classic television series Bewitched. However, after his time on the show, Sargent went on to have a successful career in voice acting and other television roles.
Sargent began his post-Bewitched career with a role in the television movie The Girl Most Likely To… in 1973. He then went on to appear in a number of television shows, including The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and The Golden Girls. He also had a recurring role in the sitcom Too Close for Comfort.
In the 1980s, Sargent began to focus more on voice acting. He provided the voice of the character of Uncle Arthur in the animated series The Real Ghostbusters. He also voiced the character of Dr. Benton Quest in the animated series Jonny Quest.
In addition to his voice acting roles, Sargent also appeared in a number of television movies. He had a role in the 1985 movie The Return of the Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman, and he also appeared in the 1987 movie The B.R.A.T. Patrol.
Sargent continued to work in television and voice acting until his death in 1994. He was an active member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He was also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Dick Sargent’s later career was a testament to his versatility and talent. He was able to transition from a successful television career to a successful voice acting career, and he continued to work until his death. His legacy lives on in the many roles he played and the characters he voiced.
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