Dick York

Born

September 4, 1928

Died

February 20, 1992 (63 years old)

Known For

Acting

Place of Birth

Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA

Dick York was an American actor best known for his role as Darrin Stephens on the classic television sitcom *Bewitched* (1964–1972). His portrayal of the character made him a beloved figure in American television history.

Dick York was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He showed an early interest in acting and eventually moved to New York City to pursue a career in theater. Before his acting career took off, York worked various odd jobs, including as a radio announcer. His big break came in the 1950s when he began landing roles in both television and film.

York's early acting career was filled with roles in movies and television series. He appeared in films such as They Came to Cordura (1959) and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), where he played small but significant parts. His television appearances also included guest spots on a number of popular series.

However, it was his role as Darrin Stephens on Bewitched that brought him lasting fame. The show, which debuted in 1964, starred Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens, a witch married to an ordinary man, Darrin. York played the first Darrin, a role he portrayed for the first five seasons of the show. The show became a massive hit and is remembered as one of the most iconic sitcoms of the 1960s. His portrayal of Darrin was beloved for his humorous and often exasperated reactions to the magical chaos caused by Samantha’s powers.

In 1969, due to health issues, York was forced to leave Bewitched during the sixth season. His departure was explained on the show by having Darrin suffer an illness that made him unable to continue working. Actor Dick Sargent replaced him in the role for the final three seasons, but York's version of Darrin remains the most fondly remembered by fans of the show.

Throughout his life, Dick York struggled with health problems. In the early 1950s, he was diagnosed with a severe back injury that led to chronic pain. The pain became debilitating, and York became addicted to painkillers, which contributed to his departure from *Bewitched*. His health issues were often a private struggle, and they affected his career in the latter part of his life.

York married his wife, Joan Alt, in 1951, and they had three children together. Despite his professional struggles and health challenges, York remained committed to his family and enjoyed a relatively quiet life outside the public eye in his later years.

Dick York passed away on February 20, 1992, at the age of 63, from complications related to emphysema. His death was a great loss to the entertainment world, as he was widely regarded as a talented and beloved actor, especially for his work on Bewitched.

Elizabeth Montgomery: A Bewitched Life

Elizabeth Montgomery: A Bewitched Life

Self/Darrin Stephens (archive footage)

0.0

2023

Say Hey, Willie Mays!

Say Hey, Willie Mays!

Self

6.0

2022

Predestination

Predestination

Darrin Stephens in Bewitched (archive footage) (uncredited)

7.4

2014

Bewitched

Bewitched

Darrin Stephens (archive)

5.1

2005

Hell's Highway: The True Story of Highway Safety Films

Hell's Highway: The True Story of Highway Safety Films

Nick (archive footage)

5.6

2003

Reflections of Evil

Reflections of Evil

Darrin Stephens (archive footage)

6.6

2002

High School U.S.A.

Superintendant McCarthy

4.2

1984

Simon & Simon

Simon & Simon

(1 episode)

6.7

1981

Bewitched

Bewitched

Darrin Stephens · (170 episodes)

7.9

1964

Going My Way

Going My Way

Tom Colwell · (30 episodes)

5.7

1962

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

Will Pearce · (1 episode)

7.8

1962

The Virginian

The Virginian

Jeff Tolliver · (1 episode)

6.5

1962

The Incredible Doktor Markesan

The Incredible Doktor Markesan

Fred Bancroft

7.0

1962

Dr. Kildare

Dr. Kildare

Harry Benton · (1 episode)

5.5

1961

Route 66

Route 66

(1 episode)

6.3

1960

Stagecoach West

Stagecoach West

Webb Crawford · (1 episode)

6.0

1960

The Flintstones

The Flintstones

Darrin Stephens (voice) · (1 episode)

7.4

1960

Outlaws

Outlaws

(1 episode)

6.2

1960

Thriller

Thriller

Fred Bancroft · (1 episode)

6.4

1960

Inherit the Wind

Inherit the Wind

Bertram T. Cates

7.7

1960

The Untouchables

The Untouchables

Ernie Torrance · (1 episode)

7.9

1959

Adventures in Paradise

Adventures in Paradise

Markham Jones · (1 episode)

5.7

1959

The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone

Hector B. Poole · (1 episode)

8.4

1959

The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone

Capt. Phil Riker · (1 episode)

8.4

1959

The DuPont Show with June Allyson

The DuPont Show with June Allyson

Lt. James Whitney · (1 episode)

6.3

1959

They Came to Cordura

They Came to Cordura

Pvt. Wilbur James Renziehausen

6.6

1959

The Last Blitzkrieg

The Last Blitzkrieg

Sergeant Otto Ludwig

5.2

1959

Rawhide

Rawhide

Frank Price · (1 episode)

7.2

1959

Rawhide

Rawhide

Elwood P. Gilroy · (1 episode)

7.2

1959

Naked City

Naked City

Charles Colano · (1 episode)

5.5

1958

Cowboy

Cowboy

Charlie, Trailhand

6.4

1958

Alcoa Theatre

Alcoa Theatre

Corporal James Sloan · (1 episode)

6.5

1957

Wagon Train

Wagon Train

Charley Shutup · (1 episode)

6.3

1957

Operation Mad Ball

Operation Mad Ball

Cpl. Bohun

6.6

1957

Three Stripes in the Sun

Three Stripes in the Sun

Cpl. Neeby Muhlendorf

7.0

1955

Playwrights '56

(1 episode)

6.0

1955

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Manny Coe · (1 episode)

7.7

1955

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Norman Logan · (1 episode)

7.7

1955

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

J.J. Bunce · (1 episode)

7.7

1955

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Ralph Jones · (1 episode)

7.7

1955

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Tom Barton · (1 episode)

7.7

1955

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Herbert Wiggam · (1 episode)

7.7

1955

My Sister Eileen

My Sister Eileen

Ted Loomis

6.5

1955

The Millionaire

The Millionaire

Ken Leighton · (1 episode)

5.0

1955

The Millionaire

The Millionaire

Sandy Newell · (1 episode)

5.0

1955

Climax!

Climax!

Gordon Bates · (1 episode)

3.3

1954

Them!

Them!

Teenager in Police Station

6.8

1954

General Electric Theater

General Electric Theater

Ashael Miller · (1 episode)

6.3

1953

Omnibus

Omnibus

Nick · (1 episode)

6.0

1952

How Friendly Are You?

How Friendly Are You?

Phil

0.0

1951

Last Date

Last Date

Nick (as Richard York)

6.0

1950

Rest and Health

Rest and Health

0.0

1949

Studio One

Studio One

George Fox · (1 episode)

5.0

1948

Studio One

Studio One

George Weston · (1 episode)

5.0

1948

Studio One

Studio One

Lt. Paul Koestler · (1 episode)

5.0

1948

The Philco Television Playhouse

The Philco Television Playhouse

Andy · (1 episode)

6.3

1948

Shy Guy

Shy Guy

Phillip Norton

3.1

1947

Kraft Television Theatre

Kraft Television Theatre

Zack · (1 episode)

7.5

1947

Kraft Television Theatre

Kraft Television Theatre

Deputy Sheriff · (1 episode)

7.5

1947

Bookkeeping and You

Bookkeeping and You

Bob Thayer

0.0

1947

Insomnia

Lucky

0.0

1945