Dick York

[Fonzie87]

Hey, does anyone know how, or if, Dick York died? I liked him better than Dick Sargent.

[Arfies]

Dick York (1928-1992) died of emphysema, jobless and in poor health.

He was replaced as Darrin in 1969 due to an old back injury that left him with an addiction to painkillers. He suffered a seizure on the set (due to the side effects of the painkillers- most of which have since been banned for being unsafe) and was rushed into the hospital, in a coma. He wasn't fired from Bewitched (even though the studio wanted him fired from the beginning for costing them money). It was a mutual agreement between York and producer/husband of Elizabeth Montgomery, William Asher, that he could no longer continue. It was Asher that fought to keep York on the cast for so long, because as he put it, York was indeed "perfect for the part."

A tragic experience for such a warmhearted man. :(

[TV Guy]

And yet York has said in interviews that all he needed was the summer hiatus to recuperate (but the show was rushing back into production to film episodes before Elizabeth Montgomery's maternity leave). Others who worked on "Bewitched" have publicly said that the Ashers did not stick by York as long as they could have. Still another account I read recently said that the studio could no longer obtain production insurance for York due to his poor health, and that this was the reason he was dropped from the show.

I think this is one of those issues where we'll never really know exactly what happened, and who is really responsible for York's departure.

[C Doody]

Its sad too because i liked him better than Dick Sargent. Not taking away from Dick Sargent hes a great actor, But i prefer Dick York and its a shame that happened.

[Unwanted Angel]

Yeah it is a shame. I thought DY was much better then DS plus he was cuter lol. ;)

[Brandon]

Originally posted by T.a.T.u Gurl18
Yeah it is a shame. I thought Dick York was much better then Dick Sargaent

i agree.

[pandora_spocks]

I like both York and Sargent as Darrin so the switch of Darrin's isn't that big of a deal to me.

Samantha loved Darrin no matter who played him. ;)

[dramastudent]

Did you know that originally they wanted Dick Sargeant as Darrin? He was involved in something else at the time, so they cast Dick York. When he was ill, they replaced him with Dick Sargeant.

I admit, I thought the chemistry between Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York was better than with her and Dick Sargeant.

[Just Popped In]

Originally posted by T.a.T.u Gurl18
Yeah it is a shame. I thought DY was much better then DS plus he was cuter lol. ;)

agreed

[Janice]

Is it ever obvious on the show that Dick York was ill? I know he began missing episodes, but other than that, do they have him sitting in scenes a lot or things like that? Does his face give the pain away?
The poor guy, forced to leave a hit show and to live with constant pain.
He was a great comedic actor.

[Novarro]

Janice,
I think they managed to hide Dick York's worsening health quite well. I know as the fifth season progresses I always try and see in Dick York's movements and facial expressions any signs of th eobvious pain he was in. Typical of that special man that he kepts going despite the agony he was in.I can only obviously see the trouble he was in in his last filmed episode (which wasn't his last episode that is aired in that season) which takes place on his birthday and Maurice arrives and gives him a watch. After the argument over its powers Maurice turns him into a mule/horse . In that episode Dick York looks terribly ill with a strained expression on his face....you can see the end is near, just prior to his collapse on the set. You will notice in this episode that he hardly moves at all and is just sitting or standing in the one spot for his few scenes. The poor man was a wonderful actor and a great trouper to keep going as he did.

[Novarro]

Also, in that sad episode Dick York is unfortunately wearing a very dark suit in his few scenes which I think emphasizes his gaunt and strained appearance. Luckily Maurice Evans was right on the spot with him when he collapsed so thankfully he didn't have his final seizure when driving home or alone in his dressing room etc.

[Janice]

Okay, Novarro, I'm just about in tears after reading your posts. Not really, but you explained Dick York's terrible situation beautifully.
I'm sort of new to Bewitched, in the sense that I was a kid during its original run and just haven't seen it much over the years. I always knew Dick York's story but now that I'm seeing the comic genius at work, I feel bad about it.

[ConservativeBalla]

I never knew all this about Dick York. I liked him better than Sargent.

[rml83]

Wasn't he just amazing? He was in so much pain yet he STILL put forth these amazing performances. I agree with Novarro, I think the most obvious signs of pain can be found in "Daddy Does His Thing". It kills me though. I'll be watching any episode of Bewitched and any time he does any physical comedy, I wince. I'm always wondering if he was in pain.

[marvin g]

At one point I liked Sargent better because hea was such a smart aleck. Later I come to like York better because he really could get animated when a spell was cast on him! He was also more domestic with Sam and Tabitha than Sargent.

[Fleet]

Dick York did an excellent job hiding his pain. I used to regularly watch "Bewitched" in the mid-'70s, and back then I did not know about his back injury. I don't know how he did all those stunts (like falling down) without showing pain. Anyway, I think he was for sure the best Darrin. He was perfect for the part.

[Novarro]

Totally agree Fleet. Dick York was one of a kind...totally ireplaceable in my opinion. I wish they had of suspended "Bewitched", for 12 months at the end of the 1968 - 1969 season, let Dick rest up and get treatment for the whole period , let the other cast members do other projects, and then return with cast all fresh and rested for the beginning of the 1970 - 1971 season. I guess that's not of course how television networks plan their schedules though. I just know if it had been done Dick York (as he has stated himself) would have been able to finish the series run.

[rml83]

I really wish that, too, Novarro. I try not to resent Sargent too much because he's a great actor and I really ended up liking him later on, but sometimes I'll be watching a Sargent episode that I enjoy and I just know I'd enjoy it ten times more if it were Dick York doing it. But of course, it doesn't work that way, and people may not have been willing to watch a show that was on hiatus for a year.

[Novarro]

Yes totally agree rml83 ! I find myself always wishing Dick York was in the better Dick Sargent episodes knowing that I'd be laughing 5 times as much with his priceless comedy timing..

I would have loved to see Dick York in all the "birth of Adam" episodes which I still really like as it always seemed that Dick York was wonderful working with children..his many scenes with Tabitha over the years were always warm and tactile and loving which it never was between the Sargent and Tabitha. Dick York looked like he was actually her father and its obvious to see, as Erin Murphy has often stated, that she and Dick York got on very well together in real life ..even in later years (of course I think she liked Sargent too in all fairness!)
Simon

[rml83]

Originally posted by Novarro
Yes totally agree rml83 ! I find myself always wishing Dick York was in the better Dick Sargent episodes knowing that I'd be laughing 5 times as much with his priceless comedy timing..

I would have loved to see Dick York in all the "birth of Adam" episodes which I still really like as it always seemed that Dick York was wonderful working with children..his many scenes with Tabitha over the years were always warm and tactile and loving which it never was between the Sargent and Tabitha. Dick York looked like he was actually her father and its obvious to see, as Erin Murphy has often stated, that she and Dick York got on very well together in real life ..even in later years (of course I think she liked Sargent too in all fairness!)
Simon

I agree completely.Dick York's Darrin was obviously a family man and the mutual affection between he and Erin Murphy was very obvious in their scenes. He was terrific with kids (he had enough of them himself!), and I would have loved to see him during those Adam episodes, too. Also, the effort to recreate the magic with Dick Sargent that Dick York and Liz had during the birth of Tabitha episode (when Darrin comes into the hospital room to see her) fell flat, in my opinion. It was a sweet try, but Sargent and Liz lacked the chemistry that York and Liz had had to really pull it off.

[Novarro]

Yes thats a really interesting point which I hadn't really considered before. That wonderful hospital bed scene in the birth of Tabitha episode could never have been as well done in Adam's birth.
I also see Dick York's great rapport with the children used on the show in the two excellent episodes that Billy Mumy (Later Will Robinson on "Lost in Space") made including that superb first Christmas show "A Vision of Sugar Plums" and also in the episode (Ep # 3 or 4 I think ) when "the Beaver" guest starred as an over protected child with June Lockhart (also of Lost in Space!!) as his mother. Dick York's work with the Beaver is superb. Yet another string in the talents of Dick York.

[treky]

I read on TVPARTY.COM once, that Dick York had recovered enough and gotten back on his feet, by the 80s, or 90s (I forget which) to guest star on a few shows, in small roles.

[Janice]

Originally posted by Novarro
Also, in that sad episode Dick York is unfortunately wearing a very dark suit in his few scenes which I think emphasizes his gaunt and strained appearance. Luckily Maurice Evans was right on the spot with him when he collapsed so thankfully he didn't have his final seizure when driving home or alone in his dressing room etc.
I watched this episode night, and you're right Novarro, Dick didn't look well at all. I'm assuming since he was ill, that's why the writers turned him into a mule. He would only have to appear onscreen for a few minutes.
I felt sad watching it. His eyes showed his illness.
The poor guy. :(

[Sady]

I just read on here that Dick York died broke. Anyone wonder how that could of been with a hit show like Bewitched? Also, how long did he live after he collapsed on the show? He had it way over the second Darrin!!!

[treky]

I think it was because of some bad investments. But, like my other post says, he recovered and got back on his feet enough by the 80s or 90s (I forget which) to guest on a few shows.

[vze3t9q9]

I remember seeing him on Twilight Zone and other mid to late 50's tv shows. He was wonderful.

[The Modfather]

I really like York. Great actor. I wish that never happened. Infact I'm going as York for Halloween! :D

[BlueEyes1767]

Dick York was the best by far!!! He was in "Inherit the Wind" with Spencer Tracy & Gene Kelly, so you know York wasn't a slouch to be in such a highly rated film with them! I remember reading he got his back injury in 1959 while filming a movie called "They Came to Cordura."
While he always tangled with Endora on the show, they say in real life that he and Agnes Moorehead were good friends and she was always his staunchest supporter.

[donaldshelton]

I remember years ago on Nick at Night they had spoofs--something called "How to Be Swell!"

Anyway, they showed Dick York as a young man in an unknown movie and they did narration over the original.

Does anyone else remember this or know what I am talking about?

Don

[Just Popped In]

Originally posted by donaldshelton
I remember years ago on Nick at Night they had spoofs--something called "How to Be Swell!"

Anyway, they showed Dick York as a young man in an unknown movie and they did narration over the original.

Does anyone else remember this or know what I am talking about?

Don

Yes, I remember that and I know what you're talking about, except that I can't quite remember what type of film he appeared in.......

[treky]

I remember those, too!

[BlueEyes1767]

Originally posted by donaldshelton
I remember years ago on Nick at Night they had spoofs--something called "How to Be Swell!"

Anyway, they showed Dick York as a young man in an unknown movie and they did narration over the original.

Does anyone else remember this or know what I am talking about?

Don

Dick York plays a shy guy and dad tries to find out why his boy isn't more popular in school. "Pick out the most popular boys and girls in school and keep an eye on them," dad suggests. "Try to figure out why people like them — not that you'll ever be just like them."

[catlover79]

What can I say that hasn't already been said. Not only was DY a great actor, but he was a wonderful human being. The world could use a few more people like him.

[Pus$y Galore]

I watched this episode night, and you're right Novarro, Dick didn't look well at all. I'm assuming since he was ill, that's why the writers turned him into a mule. He would only have to appear onscreen for a few minutes.
I felt sad watching it. His eyes showed his illness.
The poor guy. :(

Yes, I heard that they would try to write around his pain as much as they could. You'll see him seated a lot. Apparently in between takes, they would often get him a backboard and prop him up so he could rest as much as possible. I've been watching closely for any signs and there are a few where he appears a little stiff, but other than that, he did a masterful job of covering. He really was an amazing professional.

As a kid, I liked Dick Sargeant more, but as an adult, I've come to appreciate York's comic genius. He also had a much more animated face that lent itself well to the character.

Also, some of the chemistry lost between Elizabeth and Sargeant could have also been due to the fact that Elizabeth had become quite bored with her character (one of the reasons they introduced the Serena persona - so she could be a little "evil").

So sad that York died penniless and by a wicked illness like he did. He sure didn't deserve that. :(

[catlover79]

^ Also, it's amazing that when he was bedridden by his illnesses and pain, he was on the phone doing everything he could to raise money for the homeless and hungry. People magazine called him a hero. I couldn't agree more!!