He Was Bewitching
Dick York became a bona fide superstar as Darrin Stephens in the hit series Bewitched. Unbeknownst to his adoring fans, however, he battled unimaginable chronic pain—and a terrible painkiller addiction. How he magically overcame his affliction made him truly unbreakable.
1. He Didn't Have Much
Richard Allen York battled insurmountable odds from the beginning. Born in September of 1928, his salesman father and seamstress mother often found themselves out of work—and cash. In fact, they were so poor that, to avoid eviction, he sometimes had to stay home to make sure the landlord didn't lock his family out of their home.
Actually, that was the least of his family's struggles.
Leo Burnett, ad agency for Chrysler, the program's sponsor., Wikimedia Commons
2. His Father Was A Dumpster Diver
Keeping a roof over his head was, shockingly, the least of York's worries growing up. During the Great Depression, his family was so poor that he witnessed his father dumpster dive. Worse yet, his father actually fought other men over the garbage scraps. Tragically, his situation did not improve.
Jim Fischer from Portland, Oregon, USA, Wikimedia Commons
3. He Buried His Brother
York's difficult childhood took an even darker turn when his unnamed infant brother passed. To make the situation even more tragic, the family couldn't afford to bury him. Instead, York helped his father sneak into a graveyard late one night so they could bury the baby…in a shoebox.
Despite all of these early struggles, York had one thing going for him.
De Carvalho Collection, Getty Images
4. He Had The Voice Of An Angel
York managed to keep a “cheery” disposition in spite of everything he faced—and he expressed his joy in song. When a nun noticed what a beautiful soprano voice he had, she put him on to a vocal coach who, in turn, had him enrolled in the prestigious school for radio and stage actors, Jack and Jill.
For the first time, things were looking up for York.
#BornOnThisDay Dick York | #Bewitched, FETV
5. He Became A Star
Even under the crippling weight of poverty, York managed to shine. His career in show business got off to an unusually quick start, and he landed roles in dramas and radio programs. By the time he was 15, he had his very own radio show, That Brewster Boy. What's more? His career wasn't the only bright spot in his life.
The Tragic Real-Life Story Of Dick York, Grunge
6. He Met The Perfect Girl
At the same time that he was snagging lead roles in radio programs, York was also snagging hearts. Through his radio work, he met another child radio star with big dreams, Joan Alt. By their early 20s, they were married. In the years ahead, their marriage would be put to the test in ways that neither could have imagined.
McDermott Company, Wikimedia Commons
7. He Hit It Big On Broadway
York rode his success on the airwaves all the way to New York City. There, he landed pivotal roles in popular productions like Tea and Sympathy and Bus Stop. What followed was a dazzling start in television alongside legends such as Joanne Woodward, Jack Lemmon, and Glenn Ford. But his big break wouldn't come quite so easily.
Theatre Publicity, Wikimedia Commons
8. He Wasn't Too Big For Small Bits
When casting began for the major motion picture My Sister Eileen, the producers wanted Aldo Ray for the part of “Ted”. Ray, however, believed the role was too small for him. Instead, the role went to none other than Dick York, who knew that there was no such thing as a role that was “too small”.
There was, however, such a thing as a role that was too painful.
The Tragic Real-Life Story Of Dick York, Grunge
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9. He Took A Harmless Role
Everything in York's life seemed to be looking up—until he accepted a seemingly harmless role. His chronic pain issues began on the set of 1959's They Came to Cordura. It was, by all accounts, a perfectly normal role on a perfectly normal set...That is, until one fateful day.
THEY CAME TO CORDURA, Najimido
10. He Almost Made It To The End
In a 1991 interview, York went into the details of the on-set incident that changed his career, and his life, forever. York explained that, on the second last day of filming on They Came to Cordura, everything changed. “It was the last shot of the day,” he said. Then the unthinkable happened.
11. He Worked With The Wounded
In the scene they were filming, York explained what he and his co-star Gary Cooper were doing when things took a turn for the worse. “Cooper and I were propelling a hand car carrying several wounded men down an abandoned railroad track,” he said. He had no idea that he was about to be one of those wounded men.
THEY CAME TO CORDURA, Najimido
12. His Director Cut Him Off
York went on to describe that the filming of the scene was going well—until it certainly wasn't. “As we passed the camera,” York explained, “I was on the bottom stroke of this sort of teeter-totter mechanism that made the handcar run”. There was no issue until, as York recalled, the film's director Robert Rossen yelled, “Cut!”
The only thing getting cut, however, would be York's back. And, possibly, his career.
THEY CAME TO CORDURA, Najimido
13. He Did The Heavy Lifting
Ironically, it was the moment the cameras stopped rolling that the real action kicked into full gear. In the interview, York recalled that when Rossen yelled, “Cut!” one of the extras playing a wounded man reached upwards and “grabbed the handle”. All of a sudden, instead of working with a controlled prop, York found himself actually lifting the extra—all 180 pounds of him!
The result was…devastating.
THEY CAME TO CORDURA, Najimido
14. He Just “Snapped”
Even though he was, by that time, an experienced actor and a strapping young man, York was no stuntman. And he wasn't even kind of prepared for the “wounded” extra's sudden move. Under the added strain, York gave one last pull and…snap! “The muscles along the right side of my back tore,” York explained, “They just snapped and let loose”.
Why Dick York Left Bewitched (Tragic), Fact Verse
15. His Injuries Lasted A Lifetime
York's injury was sudden and severe, but the effects would prove to be chronic. The torn muscles in his back affected his spine, condensing his discs. “That was the start of it all,” York said, “the pain, the painkillers, the addiction, the lost career”—not to mention the lost inches.
Kind to a Fault - The Life and Sad Ending® of Dick York, The Life and Sad Ending
16. He Shrunk
York's injury didn't just diminish his glittering career prospects. It also diminished his stature—literally. Prior to his back injury, York stood slightly above six feet, one inch tall. In the ensuing years, as his discs compressed and his pain worsened, York shrunk down to barely five feet, ten inches in height.
He was ready to give it all up. But then fate threw him a surprising curveball.
The Tragic Real-Life Story Of Dick York, Grunge
17. He Was Totally “Bewitching”
With his crippling back injury, York was certain that he would never work again, that is, until he landed the role that would define his career. Against all of the odds and the competition—and, most importantly, the pain—York landed the role of Darrin Stephens in the ABC sitcom Bewitched. Starring alongside Elizabeth Montgomery, he would work his way into audiences’ hearts.
But, not his co-stars’, apparently.
ABC Television, Wikimedia Commons
18. His On-Screen Wife Didn’t Like Him
On-screen, York and Montgomery cast a spell of “bewitchment” over millions of fans—but, behind the scenes, things weren’t quite so enchanting. According to reports from the time, Montgomery was not fond of her co-star at all. In all fairness to her, it doesn’t sound like York was too much fun to work with. Or, perhaps, he was just way too much.
ABC Television, Wikimedia Commons
19. He Was A Big Flirt
Allegedly, while Montgomery was casting spells on-screen, York was trying to cast spells of his own off-screen. Throughout the show’s first seasons, York reportedly flirted with Montgomery despite the fact that she was married to one of Bewitched’s producers, writers, and directors, William Asher. However, one of the potential reasons for York's inappropriate behavior was downright devastating.
20. He Was High The Whole Time
Bewitched catapulted York to unparalleled levels of fame and success—but it did the opposite for his back injury. To cope with the pain and continue working, York took painkillers—lots and lots of painkillers. According to sources, York was often so loopy from his medication that it affected how he interacted with his co-stars, including Montgomery.
Another terrible addiction made the situation even worse.
ABC Television Uploaded by We hope at en.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
21. He “Self-Medicated” With Drinks
As Bewitched became more and more popular, the pressure on York to smile through his excruciating pain mounted. Eventually, his prescribed painkillers weren’t enough. In addition to his medication, York topped off his pain relief with a copious number of drinks. However, it doesn’t seem that even that was enough to ease the pain.
A Romantic Evening Gone Wrong | Bewitched, Bewitched
22. He Was Missing From Set
Specific accounts of York’s behind-the-scenes behavior are hard to come by, but one incident managed to make its way out. As the story goes, one day York was missing from the set. That’s supposedly when Asher (one the producers and writers of the show and Montgomery’s husband) sped through the streets to York’s house and banged on the door.
Back on set, it was total bedlam.
The Real Reason DICK YORK Left Bewitched, DoYouRemember?
23. He Kept His Co-Stars Waiting
As if Montgomery needed more reason to dislike York, his unexplained absence from the set likely left her fuming. While her husband, Asher, tried to chase down the pain-afflicted actor, she simply waited while the cameras rolled. While that kind of behavior might have gotten most actors fired, York only got special treatment.
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24. He Has His Own Furniture
Despite his personal struggles, York was such a hit as Darrin Stephens with audiences that ABC was desperate to keep him. And that's why they went to extreme lengths to make sure that he was comfortable. Allegedly, the show’s producers had to have special furniture on set to cater to York’s back problems. But that was not the only special treatment he received.
The Tragic Real-Life Story Of Dick York, Grunge
25. He Needed Help Getting Around
For York, even being on set was a constant struggle. Thankfully, some of his other cast and crew mates were quite understanding. Sources say that the kind-hearted team behind Bewitched had to help York move around the set. However, even as the show’s popularity soared, it became increasingly apparent that something had to change.
Can Samantha Forgive Darrin? | Bewitched, Bewitched
26. He Was The Star
While Asher wasn’t necessarily fond of York personally, he understood one thing: broken back or not, York was a star. In fact, he was a major element of the beloved Bewitched formula. So, when it looked increasingly likely that York wouldn’t be able to continue working on the series due to his injury, Asher thought it was time to pull the plug on the hit series.
Unlike his back, however, York’s fame couldn’t be broken that easily.
Darrin and Samantha Kiss And Make Up | Bewitched, Bewitched
27. He Had Huge Ratings
Despite the fact that York had helped define a hit series, after three seasons, Asher and Montgomery were ready to end their Bewitched chapter. However, even hopped-up on painkillers from an armchair, York drew massive television audiences. With ratings at all-time highs, ABC refused to cancel the series. But York’s back injury would have a final say.
ABC Television, Wikimedia Commons
28. He Collapsed
With Bewitched reaching great heights and his own fame and popularity soaring, York would have continued working on the series. Unfortunately, that all changed one fateful day. In the middle of filming, York unexpectedly collapsed and fell to the floor. Tragically, he wound up hospitalized. He now had a major decision to make.
29. He Had A Difficult Decision To Make
While in the hospital, York was disheartened to learn that his already desperate health situation had worsened. But that wasn’t even the bad news. You see, both he and Bewitched's director William Asher had to have a very difficult conversation—one in which Asher asked York the brutal question, "Do you want to quit?"
York's reply was heartbreaking.
Samantha Gets Her Revenge On Darrin's Ex | Bewitched, Bewitched
30. He Was Replaced
York's body was tired and he'd physically acted until he could act no more. When Asher asked him if he wanted to throw in the towel, he simply responded with: "If it's all right with you, Billy". It was finally time for the ailing actor to prioritize his health. Therefore, ABC replaced him on Bewitched with another actor—another Dick. Dick Sargent.
But it wasn’t the simple solution the network had hoped for.
Universal Television, Wikimedia Commons
31. He Suffered In Silence
York wasn’t the only one devastated by this turn of events. Audiences had no idea that York had been suffering silently for years on the set of their favorite sitcom. And it left Asher with an unsolvable problem: how to explain the actor-swap. Ultimately, Asher and ABC decided not to explain the swap at all.
Turns out, they had been preparing for it all along.
Bewitched | Darrin Wants Sam To Use Magic | Classic TV Rewind, Classic TV Rewind Clips
32. He Was Written Out
York’s health had been a constant concern for ABC and Bewitched showrunners. In fact, they were so concerned that they had practically written him out of the show before his on-set collapse. Asher had gone so far as to write entire scripts for episodes that did not include York’s character, Darrin Stephens. Even then, it had only been a matter of time.
Turns out, York’s absences from set caused a bigger problem than even he knew.
Maurice Tries Living Like A Mortal | Bewitched, Bewitched
33. He Had Other Reasons
York’s blinding back pain had, understandably, caused him to miss several days of filming. But his chronic pain issue wasn’t the only thing keeping him away from set. When he missed two episodes in the show’s biggest season, most people speculated that it had to do with his back pain. The reality, however, was that he missed those episodes because of his father’s passing.
Whatever the reason, his adoring fans weren’t the only ones irate at his replacement.
The Real Reason DICK YORK Left Bewitched, DoYouRemember?
34. His Co-Star Missed Him
While Montgomery might have been happy to see York dismissed from the Bewitched set, not all of his co-stars were jumping for joy. In fact, Agnes Moorehead who portrayed Montgomery’s mother and York’s mother-in-law in the series, took his absence particularly hard. To everyone’s shock, she was not shy about voicing her disapproval.
ABC Television, Wikimedia Commons
35. His Co-Star Defended Him
On the first day of filming without York, Moorehead defended her friend and co-star. As the cast and crew sat down for a table reading, Moorehead piped up. Slowly—deliberately—she stated, “I don’t like change,” aiming her words at Sargent. However, if York ever wanted back on the show, his allies were outnumbered on set.
36. His Fate Was Final
While York and Montgomery hadn’t exactly fought like cats and dogs, the icy nature of their relationship had chilled the behind-the-scenes vibes. So, unfortunately for York, when Montgomery and Sargent became famous friends, his fate was sealed; he would never bewitch audiences again. But then, neither would his replacement.
ABC Television, Wikimedia Commons
37. He Was Not Replaceable After All
York got the only thing better than his role back—his fans' loyalty. While the network assumed that they could have replaced him without incident, they learned the hard way that York was a one-of-a-kind talent. After he left the series, the show’s ratings dropped—as in, off a cliff. Without York, Bewitched fell 13 places in the ratings. But it wasn’t the kind of support York desired.
38. He Just Wanted A Proper Ending
Long after the show ended, York only ever expressed one regret. It wasn’t that he'd walked away from Bewitched, or even that he didn’t have a good relationship with all of his former co-stars. His biggest regret, expressed time and time again, was that he never got the chance to finish the show. The weight of his regret was crippling.
Darrin Gets Samantha A Special 'Anniversary' Gift | Bewitched, Bewitched
39. His Spirit Was Broken
York took his deteriorating career and health particularly hard. He spent the 18 months following his on-set collapse wallowing in self-pity, confined to his bed and lost “in a haze of prescription painkillers”. That “haze” came with some crazy hallucinations.
Silver Screen Collection, Getty Images
40. He Heard The Music
The physical pain from his injury was so severe that it messed with York's head. “I had a band playing in my head,” he recalled, “bagpipes night and day. It just went on and on and on and on and on”. Sometimes, his hallucinations were so severe that he was a danger to himself—and the people around him.
De Carvalho Collection, Getty Images
41. He Nearly Bit His Own Tongue Off
York went on to describe more of the wild hallucinations that he experienced: “The fans whisper to you and the walls whisper to you”. But, when he would come to, he would realize that his wife, Joan, had put her hand in his mouth to stop him from biting off his own tongue, putting her hand at risk in the process.
He knew then that something had to change.
Magic At Parties | Bewitched, Bewitched
42. He Went “Cold Turkey”
By his own admission, York despised the state he was in. His addiction to painkillers left him in a daze that he knew couldn't last. So, he made a change—a radical one. York decided to quit painkillers “cold turkey” and moved back in with his mother to prevent his kids from having to witness his undoubtedly terrifying withdrawal symptoms.
Remarkably, it worked.
Magic At Parties | Bewitched, Bewitched
43. He Wrote It All Down
Years later, York found the strength to write about his grievous injury and the darkest chapter in his life. His posthumous memoir, The Seesaw Girl and Me, detailed his struggle with painkiller addiction. The real struggle, however, was his realization that he may never work in entertainment again.
Samantha Keeps Disappearing | Bewitched, Bewitched
44. His Wife Stuck With Him
On television, York would have a brilliant witch to grant his every wish, and his real life wasn't actually all that different. York's wife, Joan, stuck with him throughout all of the trials and tribulations that he faced as a result of his crippling pain. His memoir read more like a “love letter” to her. It was a love that he wouldn't let go to waste.
Out of a job, York needed to find a way to make money and provide for his family. He and Joan eventually invested their saving in a West Covina apartment building—but sadly, this business venture was also doomed.
ABC Television, Wikimedia Commons
45. He Wasn't Cut Out To Be A Landlord
York could never catch a break. His empathy hindered him from being a ruthless landlord. When his tenants struggled to make their rent payments, he was lenient and never evicted them. After all, as a child, he watched his own family struggle to make rent. Unfortunately, he paid a high price for his commendable kindness.
It's Magic Time! Ft. @idreamofjeannieTV | Bewitched, Bewitched
46. He Began Cleaning Apartments
Ultimately, York failed to make his mortgage payments and lost ownership of the building. However, he managed to keep one apartment by taking on a shocking job. York became a cleaner in the building, tidying up the units he once owned just to get by. Then in 1976, he hit rock bottom—collecting his very first welfare check.
In the eyes of society, York had fallen quite far. He had once been a beloved celebrity, raking in a six-figure salary. Now, he was in survival mode.
Sam's Kindness Causes A Change Of Heart | Bewitched, Bewitched
47. He Lost It All
Later reflecting on his hard times in an interview, York shared, "You can be Dick York one day, and the next day, you can be Dick York without any teeth in his mouth, cleaning apartments, accepting welfare...going down to the unemployment office, going out on jobs. I couldn't even get a job directing the school play".
48. He Was Bent—Not Broken
York still had his spark for acting, and in the early 1980s he attempted to make a comeback. Tragically, though, it was not quite triumphant. His last two roles were in Simon & Simon and Fantasy Island. Following this, however, something quite strange happened. Opportunities dried up—and for a devastating reason.
Dick York's agent really dropped the ball, neglecting to register the actor with the Screen Actors Guild. As a result, York retired from acting altogether. To his credit, York didn't give up.
Screen Gems Television, Bewitched (1964-72)
49. He Started A Charity
Eventually, York's health deteriorated past the point where he could work—or even get out of bed. But that's just when York proved how unbreakable he really was. Confined to his bed, York picked up his phone and started a charity, helping the homeless. The irony, tragically, was that his own financial situation was dire.
And so was his health.
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50. He Drew His Last Breath
In 1992, at the age of 63, York drew his last breath. But, to the surprise of his fans who remembered him fondly, it wasn't York's back injury that finally put him down. Instead, he succumbed to emphysema—the result of another chronic problem of his: smoking. Whatever hardships he faced, however, he was never truly broken.
51. He Was Blessed
Even with everything he suffered, York was still full of heart. “I've been blessed,” he said, “I have no complaints. I've been surrounded by people in radio, on stage, and in motion pictures and television who love me. The things that have gone wrong have been simply physical things”.
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