Erin Murphy shared a heartfelt tribute to her late co-star, Dick Sargent, from the iconic sitcom Bewitched, on what would have been his 96th birthday. The former child star took to Facebook on April 19, posting a throwback photo from the 1960s featuring herself, Sargent, Elizabeth Montgomery, and Agnes Moorehead sitting on a carousel.
In the caption of the sweet snap, Murphy expressed her love and missing of “Darrin Daddy,” as she fondly referred to Sargent. Sargent portrayed Darrin Stephens, Murphy’s on-screen father and Montgomery’s husband, in Bewitched from 1969 to 1972, following original star Dick York’s departure due to medical reasons in Season 6. Sargent passed away from prostate cancer in July 1994 at the age of 64.
Following Sargent’s death, Montgomery spoke highly of him, sharing his remarkable qualities of love, humor, and courage. The trio of Bewitched parents faced untimely passings, with York succumbing to complications from emphysema in 1992 at age 63, and Montgomery losing her battle with colon cancer at 62 just a year after Sargent.
In a recent interview, Murphy reflected on the loss of all three of her Bewitched parents in a short span of time, emphasizing the impact of their departures on her life. Despite the tragedies surrounding her on-screen family, Murphy continues to cherish the memories of working with both Darrin actors, noting their individual talents and personalities.
While Murphy has always remained diplomatic in discussing her on-screen father figures, in a recent interview she leaned towards Dick York as her preferred Darrin, citing his paternal warmth and genuine connection with her off-camera. However, she fondly remembers Dick Sargent as a great guy with whom she maintained communication until his passing.
Echoing the sentiment of her Bewitched co-stars’ legacies, Murphy’s reflections on her television family shed light on the depth of their relationships both on and off the screen. Through loss and fond memories, the cast of Bewitched remains etched in television history as a beloved ensemble of talented individuals.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.