That Montgomery Magic: Had She Not Died Tragically From Cancer in 1995 ‘Bewitched’ Star Would Have Been 91 Years Old Today

She was born in the sparkle of a star and could wriggle her nose like no other actress in the universe. Her name was Elizabeth Montgomery, best known as TV’s witch-with-a-twitch Samantha Stephens on Bewitched (ABC, 1964–1972). Had she not died so young from cancer at 62 in 1995, Montgomery would have been 91 years old today.

A Closer Look

Elizabeth Montgomery was the daughter of actor Robert Montgomery and stage actress Elizabeth Allen. She made her television debut on her father’s heralded anthology series in 1951. She made hundreds of other TV guest appearances on shows like The Twilight Zone, Kraft Theatre, and Alcoa Presents. She received her first of several Emmy nominations (including several for Montgomery) for portraying a prostitute in The Untouchables.

The daughter Montgomery also appeared on Broadway in productions like The Loud Red Patrick and Late Love. She received the Theatre World Award for “Most Promising Newcomer” in the 1953–54 season.

On the big screen before Bewitched, the actress appeared in movies like The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell, Guess Who’s Sleeping in My Bed?, and Johnny Cool. While filming the latter, she met and later…