Alex Carson
Almost 30 years since she passes away. People love Elizabeth Montgomery for her famous role as Samantha Stephens in the popular TV show “Bewitched.” But now, a surprising discovery has shown us a different side of her life, full of secrets and excitement. This fantastic story is filled with glamour, mystery, and secret passions, taking us deep into Elizabeth Montgomery’s private life. Join FactVerse as we bring you intimate details about Elizabeth Montgomery.
Elizabeth Montgomery’s Father Complex
With just a subtle twitch of her nose, Elizabeth Montgomery captivates audiences. Elizabeth’s “Bewitched”, she’s the cunning witch Samantha Stephens on this show. Her off-screen persona was just as mesmerizing. She’s famous for her genuine and humble nature. Elizabeth regards as one of the least pretentious stars, those who work alongside her on the set of “Bewitched.” This grounded quality endeared her to fans and colleagues, earning her unwavering admiration and affection.
However, one person seemed impervious to Elizabeth’s enchantment: her father, Robert Montgomery. A famous movie star on his own, he marries Broadway actress Elizabeth Allen, who abandons her career for her husband. Despite his love for his daughter, Robert never wanted Elizabeth to pursue acting.
Even though Robert offered her numerous opportunities in his series, he disapproved of Elizabeth’s acting ambitions. According to Herbie J. Pilato, a writer, actor, and producer of Elizabeth’s “Bewitched,” their relationship was fraught with tension. They were often at odds with each other on various matters. Pilato explains that despite Elizabeth making her television debut in an episode of Robert’s anthology series, “Top Secret”. Her father never wants her to become an actress. Instead, he hoped she would opt for a more traditional path, settling down to marry and lead a “regular” life.
Disagreements between Elizabeth and her father were a constant presence throughout their lives. Their contrasting political views only widened the rift between them. Moreover, Montgomery struggled to forgive her father for divorcing her mother and remarrying.
Undeterred by her father’s disapproval, Elizabeth Montgomery relocated to Manhattan and registered at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In 1951, she managed to convince her father to feature her in his television program, “Robert Montgomery Presents.” However, his support was far from unconditional. Elizabeth garners praise for her Broadway performances. So, her father remains a stern critic and sends her notes pointing out her on-stage mistakes.
Attempts to win her father’s approval, such as her short-lived marriage to Frederick Cammann in 1954, were fruitless. Frederick, a young, wealthy, and handsome man, is eminent by Robert Montgomery. However, the marriage destines to fail, as Elizabeth aspires to be a star while Fred pursues a more traditional wife.
Elizabeth’s tumultuous relationship with her father significantly influenced her romantic relationships. Within a year of her divorce, she married Gig Young, an actor twice her senior and a troubled alcoholic. This rebellious act was a direct challenge to her father. Eventually, however, Elizabeth realized she could no longer endure the abuse and left Gig, finally breaking free from the shadow of her father’s expectations.
Elizabeth Montgomery’s Love life
Despite facing personal challenges, Elizabeth’s professional career continued to flourish. She made appearances in numerous TV series and received the first of her nine Emmy nominations in 1961. While working on the 1963 crime drama “Johnny Cool,” she fell in love with the film’s director, William Asher. He would become her third husband and father of their three children.
After marrying in 1963, Elizabeth and William welcomed their first child, Bill, on July 24, 1964. Although Elizabeth is inclined to focus on her family, William encouraged her to keep pursuing her acting career.
Elizabeth finally found contentment in both her personal and professional lives. Eager to collaborate on a project, William developed the sitcom “Bewitched,” which featured Elizabeth as a charming witch. The show became a massive success, earning William an Emmy in 1966. After entertaining fans for eight years, “Bewitched” concluded in 1972. During the show’s run, the couple had two more children, Robert and Rebecca, whose pregnancies were cleverly integrated into the storyline as Samantha’s pregnancies.
With the conclusion of “Bewitched,” Elizabeth was keen to step back from acting and concentrate on her family. However, William’s ambitious spirit made it difficult for him to slow down. According to their son, Bill, this was the primary reason behind the couple’s eventual divorce.
Behind the scenes, turbulence was taking hold. William’s infidelity deeply wounded Elizabeth. During the show’s eighth year, Montgomery also fell for director Richard Michaels, leading to an affair that caused the demise of both their marriages and the end of the series. After filming concluded in 1972, the two moved in together, but their relationship lasted only two and a half years. Eventually, Elizabeth’s heart mended, and she met her fourth husband, actor Robert Foxworth. The couple shared a blissful marriage until Elizabeth’s untimely passing from colon cancer at age 62 in 1995. Following her death, Robert married actress Stacey Thomas in 1998.
Meanwhile, the Asher brothers involve in their guitar restoration ventures, providing fans a peek into their workshop through a recent Instagram post. The uncommon photograph was shared on their company’s official Instagram page, captioned, “Brother Luthiers Bill & Robert Asher restoring this 1920’s Herman Weissenborn and a 1930’s National Tricone.”
Elizabeth would undoubtedly be proud of her sons, who have succeeded in their chosen paths. While they did not pursue acting careers like their mother, they are clearly passionate about their work.
Her Charm
Montgomery was one of Hollywood’s most attractive and sought-after actresses, captivated stars such as Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, and Gary Cooper. However, the stunning blonde faced numerous challenges in her quest for happiness, going through four tumultuous marriages and captivating many of Hollywood’s leading men, as revealed in a fascinating new book. It is now understood that she grappled with a “father complex,” often becoming enamored with older men and pursuing troubled lovers who subjected her to emotional and physical abuse.
According to Herbie Pilato, author of the new biography Twitch Upon A Star, Montgomery enchanted every man she encountered but seemed drawn to troubled men rather than nice guys. Her inclination towards the “bad boy” archetype could have been a manifestation of her defiance towards her father. Despite owning Bentleys, a Beverly Hills mansion, and making millions from Bewitched, Elizabeth had a darker side.
In the early 1960s, she became close friends with President John F. Kennedy, who was known for pursuing beautiful women. However, if anything happened between them, Elizabeth never mentioned it.
According to Pilato, Elizabeth was beautiful and alluring, always searching for love. While working with Gary Cooper on the movie “The Court-Martial Of Billy Mitchell,” he became infatuated with her, which she appreciated since he was an older man. A stagehand witnessed the two alone in Cooper’s dressing room, sparking a scandal on set.
Among her most troubled lovers was former ballet star Alexander Godunov, who later found success in films like “Witness” and “Die Hard.” Pilato notes that he was an alcoholic, and she was drawn to him, perhaps hoping to save him. However, he was abusive and self-destructive. Elizabeth had an affair with him while she was with the man who became her fourth husband.
When Montgomery ended the relationship, Godunov spiraled downward. A Hollywood insider claims he eventually drank himself to death, losing himself in an alcoholic haze.
Advocacy and Charitable works
Elizabeth Montgomery was not only a talented actress but also a passionate advocate for various liberal political and charitable causes. She devoted a significant portion of her time, resources, and energy to supporting various issues. As a champion of women’s rights, AIDS activism, and LGBTQ+ rights, she consistently used her influence to make a difference. Additionally, she was an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War, and in her later years, she actively advocated for AIDS research and greater outreach to the disabled community.
In her professional life, Montgomery also used her voice to highlight political issues. She served as the voiceover talent for two political movies that criticized American foreign policy: “Cover Up: Behind the Iran Contra Affair” (1988) and its Academy Award-winning follow-up, “The Panama Deception” (1992).
Demonstrating her commitment to LGBTQ+ rights, she and her former “Bewitched” co-star and close friend Dick Sargent volunteered as grand marshals at the Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade in June 1992.
During the final year of her life, Montgomery continued to give back to her community, volunteering at numerous places, including the Los Angeles Unit of Learning Ally. This nonprofit organization records educational books in accessible formats, such as specially formatted CDs and downloadable formats, for individuals with disabilities.
She also lent her talents to support Learning Ally’s Los Angeles unit by producing a series of radio and television public-service announcements. This further demonstrated her dedication to making education accessible for individuals with disabilities. In January 1995, she went on to record A.A. Milne’s 1952 best-selling poetry collection, “When We Were Very Young,” for the organization.
On June 3, 1995, a mere sixteen days after her passing, Learning Ally’s Los Angeles branch paid tribute to Elizabeth Montgomery by dedicating their 1995 Record-A-Thon in her honor. Furthermore, a group of 21 notable individuals collaborated to lend their abilities in producing the audiobook version of “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” which was also devoted to honoring her treasured legacy.
As Elizabeth’s fame reached new heights, she chose to use her influence for the greater good. She was a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, becoming one of the first actresses to advocate for those affected by AIDS. This commitment to social justice resonated with the core message of “Bewitched,” where the love between Samantha and Darrin transcended their differences and challenged prejudice. Through her advocacy and activism, Elizabeth Montgomery’s legacy extends beyond her on-screen roles, leaving a lasting impact on the causes she passionately championed.
Illness and death
In the months leading up to her demise, Elizabeth Montgomery faced a battle with cancer. She had initially dismissed flu-like symptoms while working on “Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan,” which she completed filming in late March 1995. By the time her cancer was diagnosed, it had already spread from her colon to her liver, making medical intervention futile.
Determined not to spend her final days in a hospital, Montgomery opted to return to her Beverly Hills home, which she shared with Robert Foxworth. Tragically, on May 18, 1995, at 8:22 a.m. Pacific time, Elizabeth passed away in her sleep, a mere eight weeks after her diagnosis and 33 days after her 62nd birthday.
On June 18, 1995, a month prior to her passing, a touching memorial service was held at the Canon Theatre in Beverly Hills. Herbie Hancock performed music while Dominick Dunne reminisced about their early friendship in New York City. Other speakers included her husband, Robert Foxworth, who read sympathy cards from fans, as well as her nurse, brother, daughter, and stepson. Elizabeth’s remains were cremated at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.
Following her death, the family home in Patterson, Putnam County, New York, which Montgomery had retained, was sold and eventually became a part of Wonder Lake State Park.
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