Dick York "People" article from 1992 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 10-24-2012, 12:12 PM

http://www.people.com/people/article...112179,00.html

Touched by Magic

UPDATED03/09/1992 at 01:00 AM EST• Originally published 03/09/1992 at 01:00 AM EST

HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW REFERRED TO him disdainfully as "Durwood." To his comely witch of a wife, he was the ever malleable "DARE-in." By any name, Dick York, the actor behind harried ad exec Darrin Stephens in the delightful sitcom Bewitched (1964-72), was TV's definitive mere mortal. The first of two Darrins (Dick Sargent took over the role in 1969), York played flustered and helpless as wife (Elizabeth Montgomery) and mother-in-law (Agnes Moorehead) magically rearranged his comfortable suburban reality. "York was Darrin," says Bewitched director Richard Michaels. "He knew instinctively how to create a character constantly surprised at what was going on around him."

But beyond Bewitched's buffoonery, York, who died of emphysema on Feb. 20 at age 63, pursued a different kind of magic. For the past several years, confined by an oxygen machine to his modest two-bedroom cottage in Rockford, Mich., York used his fame—and his phone—to help the homeless, arranging for the shipment of food and clothing to relief organizations around the U.S.

Following a simple Christian ceremony at a funeral home in Rockford, attended by 140 friends and two of York's five children, Joan York, 60, Dick's wife of 40 years, recalled his charitable motto: "He'd say, 'Just look at your fellow man and you'll do what's right.' "

The actor's career began in Chicago, where he was performing in radio dramas by age 15. He went on to Broadway (Tea and Sympathy, Bus Stop) and played the accused teacher in the film version of Inherit the Wind (1960). But on the set of the 1959 western They Came to Cordura, York injured his back. Filming Bewitched, he was in constant pain. He eventually became addicted to painkillers and left the show in 1969.

York quit pain pills cold turkey in 1971, but as his spine continued to degenerate, he became too incapacitated to work in show business again. For a time he and Joan ran an apartment house. Later they depended on welfare. By the time the couple moved to Michigan in the mid-'80s, York had emphysema, the result of years of heavy smoking. "I'm fortunate I still have my voice," he told PEOPLE in 1989. That voice is silent now, but the spirit that animated it will not be forgotten. Says York's son Matthew, 31: "He was not only my father, he was my hero."

PrettyinPink55 · 10-25-2012, 09:07 PM

I knew he was suffering, which is why he had to leave Bewitched, but I had no idea the extent of his pain.

I really admire the work he did to help others. So sad that both Darrins died in their 60s. Far too young.

catlover79 · 10-25-2012, 09:37 PM

I know - but I love how Mr. York refused to feel sorry for himself, and wouldn't let anyone else feel sorry for him.

MickeyMac · 10-28-2012, 02:03 PM

I think his widow is still in Rockford, thats only an hour from here. I need to find that out.

catlover79 · 10-28-2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

I think his widow is still in Rockford, thats only an hour from here. I need to find that out.

According to http://bewitched.net, the old house was demolished last year, so I don't know where Mrs. York lived until her passing earlier this year. Probably with one of the kids.

10-24-2012, 12:12 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Dick York "People" article from 1992 http://www.people.com/people/article...112179,00.html Touched by Magic UPDATED03/09/1992 at 01:00 AM EST• Originally published 03/09/1992 at 01:00 AM EST HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW REFERRED TO him disdainfully as "Durwood." To his comely witch of a wife, he was the ever malleable "DARE-in." By any name, Dick York, the actor behind harried ad exec Darrin Stephens in the delightful sitcom Bewitched (1964-72), was TV's definitive mere mortal. The first of two Darrins (Dick Sargent took over the role in 1969), York played flustered and helpless as wife (Elizabeth Montgomery) and mother-in-law (Agnes Moorehead) magically rearranged his comfortable suburban reality. "York was Darrin," says Bewitched director Richard Michaels. "He knew instinctively how to create a character constantly surprised at what was going on around him." But beyond Bewitched's buffoonery, York, who died of emphysema on Feb. 20 at age 63, pursued a different kind of magic. For the past several years, confined by an oxygen machine to his modest two-bedroom cottage in Rockford, Mich., York used his fame—and his phone—to help the homeless, arranging for the shipment of food and clothing to relief organizations around the U.S. Following a simple Christian ceremony at a funeral home in Rockford, attended by 140 friends and two of York's five children, Joan York, 60, Dick's wife of 40 years, recalled his charitable motto: "He'd say, 'Just look at your fellow man and you'll do what's right.' " The actor's career began in Chicago, where he was performing in radio dramas by age 15. He went on to Broadway (Tea and Sympathy, Bus Stop) and played the accused teacher in the film version of Inherit the Wind (1960). But on the set of the 1959 western They Came to Cordura, York injured his back. Filming Bewitched, he was in constant pain. He eventually became addicted to painkillers and left the show in 1969. York quit pain pills cold turkey in 1971, but as his spine continued to degenerate, he became too incapacitated to work in show business again. For a time he and Joan ran an apartment house. Later they depended on welfare. By the time the couple moved to Michigan in the mid-'80s, York had emphysema, the result of years of heavy smoking. "I'm fortunate I still have my voice," he told PEOPLE in 1989. That voice is silent now, but the spirit that animated it will not be forgotten. Says York's son Matthew, 31: "He was not only my father, he was my hero."
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

10-25-2012, 09:07 PM	#2
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	I knew he was suffering, which is why he had to leave Bewitched, but I had no idea the extent of his pain. I really admire the work he did to help others. So sad that both Darrins died in their 60s. Far too young.
	__________________ ♥♥♥

10-25-2012, 09:37 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I know - but I love how Mr. York refused to feel sorry for himself, and wouldn't let anyone else feel sorry for him.

10-28-2012, 02:03 PM	#4
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	I think his widow is still in Rockford, thats only an hour from here. I need to find that out.