What Happened to Dick York on Bewitched? Why Did Dick York Leave Bewitched?
by Abinaya
Updated May 31, 2023
Who is Dick York on Bewitched?
Dick York, born Richard Allen York (September 4, 1928 – February 20, 1992), was an American actor known for his work in radio, stage, film, and television. He gained recognition as the first actor to portray Darrin Stephens on the ABC fantasy sitcom Bewitched. Additionally, he portrayed the character of teacher Bertram Cates in the film Inherit the Wind (1960).
Unfortunately, York's career faced challenges due to a severe back injury he sustained while working on the film They Came to Cordura in 1959. Although he achieved success in Bewitched, his declining physical health led to his departure from the series in 1969, and he subsequently appeared infrequently in acting roles.
What Happened to Dick York on Bewitched?
Dick York left Bewitched in 1969 and was replaced by Dick Sargent due to various issues related to his old back injury, which included relying heavily on painkillers. The show continued without him until 1972. Born on September 4, 1928, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Dick York began his acting career as a child, performing in radio shows in Chicago, where his family relocated during his youth.
One of his notable radio roles was portraying Jack Armstrong, "the All-American Boy." In the 1962-63 season, he appeared in a television series based on the 1944 film "Going My Way." Aside from his television work, York appeared in several films, such as "My Sister Eileen" and "Inherit the Wind," where he played the role of a schoolteacher whose teaching of evolution sparked the famous 1920s "monkey trial."
Why Did Dick York Leave Bewitched?
Dick York's departure from Bewitched has been a subject of speculation over the years, with rumors suggesting conflicts with the network, show executives, or the cast. However, these rumors are far from the truth. In reality, the actor had a deep love for his job and stayed on the show longer than he should have despite numerous health problems that plagued him on set.
A few years prior to the first season of Bewitched, Dick York suffered a severe and permanent back injury while filming They Came to Cordura. The chronic pain from the injury made it challenging for him to stand for long periods, leading to his reliance on painkillers to cope with the day. To accommodate his pain, a slanted wall was constructed backstage for Dick to lean on between takes, providing some relief. Initially, this solution helped, but as the third season progressed, his pain worsened, leading to frequent shooting delays.
Consequently, more scenes were written where Darrin, his character, would be either lying in bed or seated on the couch. Later on, episodes would explain Darrin's absence by stating he was away on business or by focusing on Samantha's interactions with her warlock relatives.
Dick York and Dick Sargent
On the popular 1960s sitcom Bewitched, Dick York portrayed the character Darrin Stephens, the patient mortal husband of Samantha, a witch-turned-housewife. However, during the show's sixth season, York was replaced in the role by another actor named Dick Sargent. Dick Sargent, born Richard Stanford Cox on April 19, 1930, was an American actor who gained recognition as the second actor to play Darrin Stephens on ABC's fantasy sitcom Bewitched.
Interestingly, he adopted the name Dick Sargent from a Saturday Evening Post illustrator/artist who shared the same name. Sargent was born as Richard Stanford Cox in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, on April 19, 1930, to parents Ruth McNaughton and Colonel Elmer Cox. Ruth McNaughton, who appeared in films under the stage name Ruth Powell, was the daughter of John McNaughton, the founder of Los Angeles's renowned Union Stockyards.
Colonel Elmer Cox, a World War I veteran, later worked as a business manager for notable Hollywood figures such as Douglas Fairbanks and Erich von Stroheim. Sargent attended the San Rafael Military Academy in San Rafael, California, before pursuing a major in drama at Stanford University. He participated in around twenty-four plays with the Stanford Players Theater.
Was Dick York Gay?
Dick York, the actor known for portraying the character Darrin Stevens on the popular comedy series "Bewitched," was not gay. Dick York, born Richard Allen York on September 4, 1928, was an American actor known for his role as Darrin Stephens in the popular sitcom "Bewitched." He began his acting career at a young age, performing in radio shows in Chicago. One of his notable radio roles was portraying Jack Armstrong in "Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy."
In addition to his television work on "Bewitched," York appeared in various films, including "My Sister Eileen" and "Inherit the Wind," where he played the role of the schoolteacher involved in the famous 1920s Scopes Monkey Trial. During his time on "Bewitched," York faced health challenges due to a back injury he sustained while working on the film "They Came to Cordura" in 1959.
The injury caused chronic pain and led to York's dependence on painkillers. Despite his health issues, he continued to portray Darrin Stephens on the show. However, York's health problems eventually became more severe, causing frequent shooting delays.
To accommodate his pain, a production made changes, such as providing a slanted wall for him to lean on between takes. In later seasons, Darrin's presence in episodes was reduced, either by having him portrayed as being away on business or focusing on other characters.
What happened to Dick York on Bewitched - FAQ
Dick York, born Richard Allen York (September 4, 1928 – February 20, 1992), was an American actor known for his work in radio, stage, film, and television. He gained recognition as the first actor to portray Darrin Stephens on the ABC fantasy sitcom Bewitched.
Dick York left Bewitched in 1969 and was replaced by Dick Sargent due to various issues related to his old back injury, which included relying heavily on painkillers. The show continued without him until 1972.
Apart from his role in Bewitched, Dick York appeared in several films, including "My Sister Eileen" and "Inherit the Wind," where he played a schoolteacher involved in the famous 1920s Scopes Monkey Trial. He also had a successful career in radio and stage performances.
Dick Sargent replaced Dick York in the role of Darrin Stephens on Bewitched for the remaining two seasons of the show. Dick Sargent, born Richard Stanford Cox, was an American actor known for his portrayal of Darrin Stephens.
There is no information to suggest that Dick York was gay. He was known for his marriage to Joan Alt, and there is no public record indicating otherwise.