We were all stunned by the sudden death of Elizabeth Montgomery.

Unlike many actors who rely heavily on makeup and stylists to maintain their appearance, Elizabeth possessed a natural beauty that shone effortlessly on screen. Watching her perform in Bewitched was a joy that required no embellishment.

Elizabeth Montgomery was born on April 15, 1933, in Los Angeles, California, to a family steeped in show business. Her mother was a Broadway actress, and her father, Robert Montgomery, was a well-known and highly respected film actor.

Acting was in her blood from the very beginning. In a 1954 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Elizabeth recalled, “Dad tells me I often climbed on his lap after dinner and remarked, ‘I’m going to be an actress when I grow up.’

I don’t know whether he encouraged me or not, but he told me he would humor me and would tell me to wait and see what happened when I grew up.”

Her father played a significant role in her early career. Elizabeth said, “I’ll be real honest and say that Daddy did help me get a break in TV, and I’m really grateful for his assistance and guidance.

He’s my most severe critic, but also a true friend as well as a loving father.” Elizabeth attended school in California before moving to New York City, where she studied at the Spence School.

She later attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts for three years, further developing her acting skills.

While still a teenager, she made her television debut on her father’s show, Robert Montgomery Presents, and appeared in several episodes, gaining early experience and exposure in the industry.

In 1953, she made her Broadway debut in the play Late Love. Two years later, she appeared in her first film, The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell, before returning to Broadway to continue honing her craft.

Elizabeth’s personal life saw both love and heartbreak. In 1954, she married Frederick Gallatin Cammann, but their marriage ended in divorce just a year later.

She then married award-winning actor Gig Young in 1956, though this marriage also ended in divorce in 1963. While filming Johnny Cool, Elizabeth met William Asher, a director and television producer.

Their professional collaboration soon blossomed into romance, and they married in 1963, eventually having three children together.

While Elizabeth appeared in television programs such as Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Loretta Young Show, The Untouchables, and The Twilight Zone, she is best remembered as Samantha Stephens in Bewitched. Continue reading…