Dick Sargent "People" article from 1994 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 10-24-2012, 12:25 PM

http://www.people.com/people/article...103527,00.html

Bewitched—and Bothered

UPDATED07/25/1994 at 01:00 AM EDT• Originally published 07/25/1994 at 01:00 AM EDT

FEW GAY PERSONALITIES EVER EMERGED from the closet quite as dramatically as Dick Sargent. From 1969 to 1972, the trimly handsome actor had established himself as "the second Darrin" after replacing Dick York as Elizabeth Montgomery's husband on the ABC sitcom Bewitched. Realizing that revealing his homosexuality could wreck his career, he posed with buxom actresses for magazine spreads and even added a phony failed marriage to his publicity bio.

But three years ago, Sargent, who died of prostate cancer at 64 on July 8, grew tired of pretending. Incensed by Gov. Pete Wilson's decision to veto California's gay-rights bill, Sargent declared his sexuality before a sizable Hollywood gathering on National Coming Out Day. "It was such a relief," he said afterward. "It was like a healing. Now," he joked, "I'm a retroactive role model."

Born Richard Cox in Carmel, Calif. (his mother was a former silent-film actress; his father, a World War I hero and a Hollywood publicist), Sargent made, he later admitted, "a couple of good college tries at suicide" at Stanford. He drifted into movies, then got his break in Bewitched, which left him financially independent.

When he learned he had cancer in 1989, Sargent stayed involved in gay-rights issues. His lover for the past four years was Albert Williams, 36, a writer and producer who says Sargent "faced death like a champion. He knew he was going to die and tried to keep everyone's spirits up." Five days before his death, Sargent threw his annual Fourth of July bash at his house atop the Hollywood Hills. Throughout his illness, Elizabeth Montgomery was a constant visitor. "He was a great friend," she said. "I will miss his love, his sense of humor and his courage."

tcr1701 · 10-25-2012, 02:32 PM

I just bought "Teen Witch" in the Best Buy Halloween discount bin for $5. Dick Sargent plays the father in this. Kind of a nice little tip of the hat to his Darrin years.

PrettyinPink55 · 10-25-2012, 08:39 PM

I'm glad he was finally able to be himself. He sounded like a nice man.

catlover79 · 10-25-2012, 09:40 PM

Yes, and like Dick York, was involved with causes. He worked with the Special Olympics and also with organizations to feed the hungry.

10-24-2012, 12:25 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Dick Sargent "People" article from 1994 http://www.people.com/people/article...103527,00.html Bewitched—and Bothered UPDATED07/25/1994 at 01:00 AM EDT• Originally published 07/25/1994 at 01:00 AM EDT FEW GAY PERSONALITIES EVER EMERGED from the closet quite as dramatically as Dick Sargent. From 1969 to 1972, the trimly handsome actor had established himself as "the second Darrin" after replacing Dick York as Elizabeth Montgomery's husband on the ABC sitcom Bewitched. Realizing that revealing his homosexuality could wreck his career, he posed with buxom actresses for magazine spreads and even added a phony failed marriage to his publicity bio. But three years ago, Sargent, who died of prostate cancer at 64 on July 8, grew tired of pretending. Incensed by Gov. Pete Wilson's decision to veto California's gay-rights bill, Sargent declared his sexuality before a sizable Hollywood gathering on National Coming Out Day. "It was such a relief," he said afterward. "It was like a healing. Now," he joked, "I'm a retroactive role model." Born Richard Cox in Carmel, Calif. (his mother was a former silent-film actress; his father, a World War I hero and a Hollywood publicist), Sargent made, he later admitted, "a couple of good college tries at suicide" at Stanford. He drifted into movies, then got his break in Bewitched, which left him financially independent. When he learned he had cancer in 1989, Sargent stayed involved in gay-rights issues. His lover for the past four years was Albert Williams, 36, a writer and producer who says Sargent "faced death like a champion. He knew he was going to die and tried to keep everyone's spirits up." Five days before his death, Sargent threw his annual Fourth of July bash at his house atop the Hollywood Hills. Throughout his illness, Elizabeth Montgomery was a constant visitor. "He was a great friend," she said. "I will miss his love, his sense of humor and his courage."
	__________________ "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, 08:39 PM	#3
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	I'm glad he was finally able to be himself. He sounded like a nice man.
	__________________ ♥♥♥

10-25-2012, 02:32 PM	#2
tcr1701 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2012 Posts: 461	I just bought "Teen Witch" in the Best Buy Halloween discount bin for $5. Dick Sargent plays the father in this. Kind of a nice little tip of the hat to his Darrin years.

10-25-2012, 09:40 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Yes, and like Dick York, was involved with causes. He worked with the Special Olympics and also with organizations to feed the hungry.