For almost 30 years since she passed away,
people have loved 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. Father complex
With just a subtle twitch of her nose, Elizabeth Montgomery captivated audiences as the cunning
witch Samantha Stephens on the beloved show "Bewitched." Her off-screen persona was just as mesmerizing. Known for her genuine and humble nature, Elizabeth
was regarded as one of the least pretentious stars, particularly by those who worked 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 renowned movie star in his own right, he
married Broadway actress Elizabeth Allen, who eventually abandoned 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 "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 wanted 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
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. As Elizabeth garnered praise for her Broadway
performances, her father remained a stern critic, often sending 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, was well-regarded by Robert Montgomery. However, the marriage was destined to fail,
as Elizabeth aspired to be a star while Fred sought 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. 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 was 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 have been actively
involved 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. There you have it. It's now time to hear from you. Let us know what your favorite part of the
video was.
