‘Bewitched’ Star Was ‘Financially and Physically Destitute’ Before Death

Original Bewitched star Dick York, who played Darrin Stevens on the first five seasons of tje popular sitcom, was “financially and physically destitute,” during the last years of his life, author Herbie J. Pilato told Fox News.

Pilato is the author of two books concerning Bewitched — The Essential Elizabeth Montgomery, about the show’s star; and Twitch Upon a Star. He’s featured in a new documentary examining York’s life and legacy for Bewitched’s 60th anniversary this year.

“Yes, Dick York was financially and physically destitute,” Pilato said. “He just did not have the money anymore. His career had dried up. He was in very poor health. There were no more calls for acting. It was tough to watch.”

York was injured in 1959, five years before he joined the cast of Bewitched while shooting a scene for the western They Came to Cordura in which he and several co-stars were operating a railroad handcar. When the scene finished, York was the only actor remaining on the vehicle when it flipped, pinning him underneath. It resulted in York twisting his spine and tearing the muscles around it. But instead of going to a doctor, York ignored the pain for years. By the time Bewitched premiered in 1964, York was addicted to painkillers.

“Now here I am, just a fan, and then later a friend…to see him in such a horrible situation,” Pilato recalled. Eventually, York’s spinal discs failed and he was left in a permanently hunched state.

In 1969, during Bewitched’s fifth season, York collapsed on set and suffered an epileptic seizure. The production was forced to replace him with Dick Sargent, who took over at the top of season six. “They had to replace him—they didn’t have a choice,” Pilato said. “[York] felt horrible about it. He did not want to damage the opportunity for all those people who were [employed by the series].”

Despite the reversal of fortune, York refused to become cynical. “He forced himself to be positive, but he also knew he had to still make money,” Pilato explained. “So, he would end up cleaning apartments to make money. He became a cleaning man. He went from being a star of one of the biggest TV shows in the history of television to cleaning toilets. It was humbling for him, and he never complained about it, but…it should not have happened.”

York later admitted to Pilato that that was “the worst day of my life.” The actor died in 1992 at 63 from complications due to emphysema.