Elizabeth Montgomery was born to popular actor-director Robert Montgomery and Elizabeth Allen on April 15, 1933 in Los Angeles, California. As a young child, she attended Westlake School for Girls and Spencer School in New York, where she was known as a bright girl with a big future. After dropping out of Spencer School, Montgomery enrolled in the Academy of Dramatic Arts, much to her family's surprise.
Montgomery's first acting job was on her father's television series, "Robert Montgomery Presents," in 1951. The 18-year old made a lasting impression on the audience and with new found confidence, quickly went on to star on Broadway in "Late Love," a role that won her a Theater World Award.
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Montgomery made her film debut in "The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell" in 1955 and by all accounts, she was well on her way to becoming a star. Eight years later, at the age of 26, Montgomery picked up an Emmy nomination after appearing in "The Untouchables." One year later, she would take actor Gig Young as her second husband.
In the early 1960s, Montgomery auditioned for a role that would forever change the course of her life. Winning the part of a witch named Samantha Stevens, Montgomery settled into her comfortable new role on the television series "Bewitched," which would be nominated for 5 Emmy Awards , and remain on the charts as one of the 5 most popular television shows over most of its 8-year run. Montgomery and Young divorced just as "Bewitched" was hitting the airwaves, and she began dating William Asher, "Bewitched's" director-producer. They would marry that same year and have three children.
Just as "Bewitched" came to a close, so did Montgomery's third marriage. Asher and Montgomery split amicably in 1973. As a single mother of three, Montgomery stopped auditioning for roles that would take her far from home, and settled into a quiet, domestic life. She took up painting and sewing, even designing a "Bewitched" line of clothing, which included a popular dress coat.
Montgomery married her fourth husband, Robert Foxworth, in 1975, and began starring in a variety of television movie roles, including "A Killing Affair," "Jennifer: A Woman's Story," and "The Rules of Marriage." For the next 9 years, Montgomery would appear in at least one movie each year.
Unlike many others in Hollywood at the time, critics enjoyed Montgomery and often called her by her preferred nickname, "Lizzie." As she got older, Montgomery chose to star in movies that delivered a message, often choosing to play characters that challenged and fought against intolerance and prejudice. A regular at AMFAR benefits, Montgomery shied away from the spotlight, almost never appearing show business parties, functions or award shows.
In March of 1995, Montgomery was diagnosed with cancer. She died two months later on May 18, 1995, with her fourth husband by her side. Elizabeth Montgomery was 62 years old. Over the course of her career, Montgomery appeared in more than 250 live TV shows, 24 movies, and countless stage productions
from vtvt.essortment.com.
The Corpse Had a Familiar Face (1994) (TV) .... Edna Buchanan
Black Widow Murders: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story (1993) (TV) .... Blanche Taylor Moore
With Murder in Mind (1992/I) (TV) .... Gayle Wolfer
... aka With Savage Intent
Sins of the Mother (1991) (TV) .... Ruth Coe
Face to Face (1990) (TV) .... Dr. Diana Firestone
Between the Darkness and the Dawn (1985) (TV) .... Abigail Foster
Amos (1985) (TV) .... Daisy Daws
Second Sight: A Love Story (1984) (TV) .... Alaxandra McKay
Missing Pieces (1983) (TV) .... Sara Scott
The Rules of Marriage (1982) (TV) .... Joan Hagen
When the Circus Came to Town (1981) (TV) .... Mary Flynn
Belle Starr (1980) (TV) .... Belle Starr
Act of Violence (1979) (TV) .... Catherine McSweeney
... aka Deadline Assault
Jennifer: A Woman's Story (1979) (TV) .... Jennifer Prince
"The Awakening Land" (1978) (mini) TV Series .... Sayward Luckett Wheeler
A Killing Affair (1977) (TV) .... Vikki Eaton
... aka Behind the Badge
Dark Victory (1976) (TV) .... Katherine Merrill
The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975) (TV) .... Lizzie Borden
A Case of Rape (1974) (TV) .... Ellen Harrod
Mrs. Sundance (1974) (TV) .... Etta Place
The Victim (1972/I) (TV) .... Kate Wainwright
... aka Out of Contention
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965) (uncredited) .... Bwana's Daughter, The Witches Witch
"Bewitched" (1964) TV Series .... Samantha Stephens
Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed? (1963) .... Mellisa Morris
Johnny Cool (1963) .... Darien 'Dare' Guiness
Beach Party (1963) (uncredited) .... Miss Sims
Boston Terrier (1963) (TV) .... Millie Curtain
The Spiral Staircase (1961) (TV)
Bitter Heritage (1958) (TV) .... Mary Brecker
The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955) .... Margaret Lansdowne
... aka One Man Mutiny (UK)
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