Elizabeth Montgomery

Elizabeth Montgomery was an American actress, best known for her iconic role as Samantha Stephens in the ABC sitcom Bewitched. Born in Los Angeles, California, she was the daughter of actor Robert Montgomery and actress Elizabeth Bryan Allen. Montgomery's early life was marked by her family's involvement in the entertainment industry, with her father being a popular actor and radio personality on NBC Radio. She was also related to Martha Stewart's husband, Andrew Stewart, through her father's family.

● Early Life

Montgomery spent her childhood in New York City and Pomona, New York, where she attended the Westlake School for Girls and later the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her father, Robert Montgomery, was a well-known actor who appeared in films such as Night Must Fall and Ride the Pink Horse, and was also a World War II naval officer. Montgomery's mother, Elizabeth Bryan Allen, was an actress who appeared in Broadway productions, including The Women and The Philadelphia Story. Montgomery's early life was also influenced by her family's friendships with notable figures, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt, who were close friends of her father's.

● Career

Montgomery began her acting career in the early 1950s, appearing in television series such as Robert Montgomery Presents and Studio One. She also appeared in films such as The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell and Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?, alongside actors like Gary Cooper and Dean Martin. Montgomery's breakout role came in 1964, when she was cast as Samantha Stephens in the ABC sitcom Bewitched, which also starred Dick York and later Dick Sargent. The show was a huge success, running for eight seasons and earning Montgomery multiple Emmy Award nominations. During her time on Bewitched, Montgomery also appeared in other TV movies and series, including A Case of Rape and The Legend of Lizzie Borden, which starred Faye Dunaway and Ed Nelson.

● Personal Life

Montgomery was married four times, to Frederic Gallatin, Gig Young, William Asher, and Robert Foxworth. Her marriage to William Asher was marked by a highly publicized divorce in 1974, which was covered by tabloids such as the National Enquirer. Montgomery was also known for her feminist and liberal views, and was an active supporter of the American Civil Liberties Union and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She was also friends with notable figures, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Ted Kennedy, and was a frequent guest at White House events during the John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson administrations.

● Filmography

Montgomery's filmography includes a wide range of TV movies and series, such as Bewitched, A Case of Rape, and The Legend of Lizzie Borden. She also appeared in films such as The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell and Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?, alongside actors like Gary Cooper and Dean Martin. Montgomery's work on Bewitched earned her multiple Emmy Award nominations, and she won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in the TV movie A Case of Rape. Other notable TV movies and series that Montgomery appeared in include The Victim, With Murder in Mind, and Sins of the Past, which starred Deborah Raffin and Barbara Carrera.

● Legacy

Montgomery's legacy as an actress and feminist icon continues to be celebrated today. She was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008, and her iconic role as Samantha Stephens in Bewitched remains one of the most beloved and enduring characters in TV history. Montgomery's influence can also be seen in the work of other actresses, including Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Aniston, who have both cited Montgomery as an inspiration. The Elizabeth Montgomery AIDS Research Foundation was established in her honor, and continues to support AIDS research and education initiatives around the world.

● Death and Tributes

Montgomery passed away on May 18, 1995, at the age of 62, due to complications from colon cancer. Her death was met with an outpouring of tributes from the entertainment industry, including statements from ABC, NBC, and CBS. Montgomery's funeral was attended by notable figures, including Carol Burnett, Doris Day, and Liza Minnelli, and she was buried in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. In the years following her death, Montgomery's legacy has continued to be celebrated, with numerous TV specials and documentaries exploring her life and career, including E! True Hollywood Story and Biography (TV series). Category:American actresses