Elizabeth Montgomery

Elizabeth Montgomery was an American actress who is best known for her role as Samantha in the famous sitcom Bewitched, as well as her performances in A Case of Rape and The Legend of Lizzie Borden. Born into a show business family, she became a beloved figure in both television and film.

Personal and Family Life

Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery was born on April 15, 1933, in Hollywood, California. Her father, Robert Montgomery, was a well-known actor, and her mother, Elizabeth Allen, was a Broadway actress. She graduated from the Spence School in New York and went on to study at the Academy of Dramatic Arts. Elizabeth was married four times and had three children with her second husband, William Asher.

Career Highlights

Montgomery’s career began with television roles, and she quickly gained fame for her work in live television. She took on various roles in both film and television, but her most iconic performance was as the charming witch Samantha Stephens in Bewitched, which aired from 1964 to 1972. After the show ended, she starred in several made-for-TV movies that were critically acclaimed, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

Death and Legacy

Elizabeth Montgomery passed away on May 18, 1995, in Los Angeles from colorectal cancer. Her family chose not to disclose the specific type of cancer she had, leading to some confusion about her age at the time of her death; unofficial records listed her as 62, while her family said she was 57. Montgomery left behind a lasting legacy through her roles and has been remembered for her contributions to television history.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
A Killing Affair 1977-09-21 Vikki Eaton
The Panama Deception 1992-07-31 Narrator
Johnny Cool 1963-10-02 Darien ‘Dare’ Guiness
Sins of the Mother 1991-02-19 Ruth Coe
The Legend of Lizzie Borden 1975-02-10 Lizzie Borden
The Victim 1972-11-14 Kate Wainwright
Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed? 1963-12-25 Mellisa Morris
The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell 1955-12-31 Margaret Lansdowne
A Case of Rape 1974-02-20 Ellen Harrod
Act of Violence 1979-11-10 Catherine McSweeney
Mrs. Sundance 1974-01-15 Etta Place
Amos 1985-09-29 Daisy Daws
Second Sight: A Love Story 1984-03-13 Alexandra McKay
The Corpse Had a Familiar Face 1994-03-27 Edna Buchanan
Belle Starr 1980-04-02 Belle Starr
Black Widow Murders: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story 1993-05-03 Blanche Taylor Moore
Dark Victory 1976-02-05 Katherine Merrill
Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan 1995-05-08 Edna Buchanan
Bitter Heritage 1958-08-07 Mary Brecker
Bikini Beach 1964-07-22 Lady Bug (voice)
Face to Face 1990-01-24 Dr. Diana Firestone
With Murder in Mind 1992-05-12 Gayle Wolfer
Jennifer: A Woman’s Story 1979-03-05 Jennifer Prince
Summer Pavilion 1955-05-02 Helen Durand
Coverup: Behind the Iran Contra Affair 1988-08-26 Narrator
When the Circus Came to Town 1981-01-20 Mary Flynn
The Rules of Marriage 1982-05-10 Joan Hagen
Missing Pieces 1983-05-14 Sara Scott
Bells Are Ringing 1960-06-23 Girl reading book
The Spiral Staircase 1961-10-04 Helen Warren
Patterns 1955-01-12 Ann Evans
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini 1965-07-14 Bwana’s Daughter, The Witches Witch (uncredited)
Say Hey, Willie Mays! 2022-10-27 Self
Super 8½ 1994-09-08 Insane Woman
Burke’s Law 1963-09-20 Stacey Evans
Alfred Hitchcock Presents 1955-10-02 Karen Adams
The Tab Hunter Show 1960-09-18 Hilary Fairfield
Rawhide 1959-01-09 Rose Cornelius
Frontier Circus 1961-10-05