Why did Dick York fall on hard times after “Bewitched”?

[Schmo]

Wasn’t Dick York well-paid when he worked on “Bewitched”? Why did he end up in financial straits so soon after leaving the show?

[1960'sTVfan]

Dick York was dealing with health related problems and was unable to continue his role on Bewitched after season 5. Why he then fell on hard times was probably partly because of his health issues.

[Bonniegirl]

Poor Dick!!

[Schmo]

York injured his back in the late 1950s while filming the movie “They Came to Cordura”, one of Gary Cooper’s final films. By the time he was cast in “Bewitched”, he was also addicted to pain pills. York collapsed on the set of “Bewitched” in 1969.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_York

My question was about York’s financial, not physical well-being.

[1960'sTVfan]

His physical well-being, or lack thereof, along with addiction to painkillers, likely contributed to financial woes he might have had at the time.

[rusty spike]

There was a falling out between York and Montgomery when York was dismissed from the show. He bad mouthed and criticized a lot of people involved in the production of the show. I think York was frustrated over his health, but I think people took notice and it pretty much killed any chances of making a career comeback had his health improved. I think it was clearly established that York and Montgomery tolerated each other in a professional manner, but never really liked each other. They were never amicable off stage.

[storrs19]

Many actors and actresses also only made money while the show was on its “first run” and maybe for six reruns and that was it. Some were quite ahead of their time and would often take a smaller salary in return for a portion of ownership of show and thus would continue to make money for years (decades). Lucille Ball was such an actress as wasn’t Shirley Booth (Hazel).

[Schmo]

Here is a Los Angeles Times article from 1989 about York.
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-...079-story.html

[CosmicCharlie]

Maybe Samantha cast a spell on him

[tcr1701]

Originally Posted by rusty spike

There was a falling out between York and Montgomery when York was dismissed from the show. He bad mouthed and criticized a lot of people involved in the production of the show. I think York was frustrated over his health, but I think people took notice and it pretty much killed any chances of making a career comeback had his health improved. I think it was clearly established that York and Montgomery tolerated each other in a professional manner, but never really liked each other. They were never amicable off stage.

Dick York was not dismissed by the show. He asked Bill Asher to let him quit when his health was at a very low point. ABC was hoping he could continue on but he just could not. Mrs. York in particular was so worried about his health she was in full support of him leaving.

There was one small article from late 1969 or so which "claimed" York had stated that the atmosphere on the set was so bad by the end of his time and he was glad to leave. This seems more like Hollywood gossip since York spent 18 months at home flat on his back recuperating. Hardly seems likely that he gave any interviews.

In his autobiography Dick wrote that he and Elizabeth were very close on set (as he was with David White). Another bit of unconfirmed gossip came from a producer who was fired from the show claiming he "believed" that Dick was "in love" with Elizabeth and it ticked her off because she was a "harsh woman who hated being loved by anyone." That seems even more ridiculous especially coming from a disgruntled producer who was fired. And no one else ever claimed any such things happened.

Sadly we'll never know as Elizabeth never said anything about Dick York other than it was "a shame" that he had to leave. Dick only said positive things about the show and the cast.

[tcr1701]

After Dick York left Bewitched he spent about 18 months recuperating at home. Then found he could not get any new roles. Something related: Hayden Roark told Larry Hagman (who wanted to quit I Dream of Jeannie) that if an actor leaves a successful series no one in Hollywood will hire him again (this convinced Larry to remain with Jeannie). Dick York seemed to have faced this exact situation as his leaving was viewed by other producers as quitting a hit show. Suzanne Somers would face this too after her salary battle with Three's Company.

The Yorks also owned rental property but rented to low income resident who often couldn't pay rent. With no money coming in from acting they lost the property. Then Mr.s York's mother became ill and she and Dick permanently left Hollywood to care for her. They worked small odd jobs until Dick attempted a come-back in the 1980s. He did an episode of Fantasy Island and a Simon and Simon before a clerical mistake lost his contact information for casting. Upon being diagnosed with emphysema in the mid to late 1980s Dick retired from acting once again.

There was a story (unconfirmed) that talk show host Tom Snyder wanted to reunite Dick and Elizabeth Montgomery on his talk show in the late 70s, but Elizabeth refused. She did not do personal interviews due to her extreme fear of them. She mentions this fear in a much later interview with John Tesh.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by tcr1701

Dick York was not dismissed by the show. He asked Bill Asher to let him quit when his health was at a very low point. ABC was hoping he could continue on but he just could not. Mrs. York in particular was so worried about his health she was in full support of him leaving.

There was one small article from late 1969 or so which "claimed" York had stated that the atmosphere on the set was so bad by the end of his time and he was glad to leave. This seems more like Hollywood gossip since York spent 18 months at home flat on his back recuperating. Hardly seems likely that he gave any interviews.

In his autobiography Dick wrote that he and Elizabeth were very close on set (as he was with David White). Another bit of unconfirmed gossip came from a producer who was fired from the show claiming he "believed" that Dick was "in love" with Elizabeth and it ticked her off because she was a "harsh woman who hated being loved by anyone." That seems even more ridiculous especially coming from a disgruntled producer who was fired. And no one else ever claimed any such things happened.

Sadly we'll never know as Elizabeth never said anything about Dick York other than it was "a shame" that he had to leave. Dick only said positive things about the show and the cast.

There definitely is more than one article which states there were tensions on the set between Elizabeth and Dick York. Elizabeth Montgomery biographer Herbie Pilato is quoted as saying, "Elizabeth Montgomery didn't get along with Dick York, who played her husband Darrin Stephens. He was in love with her but she was married to the show's producer and it became very uncomfortable for her." Pilato knew Elizabeth in her final years.

[tcr1701]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

There definitely is more than one article which states there were tensions on the set between Elizabeth and Dick York. Elizabeth Montgomery biographer Herbie Pilato is quoted as saying, "Elizabeth Montgomery didn't get along with Dick York, who played her husband Darrin Stephens. He was in love with her but she was married to the show's producer and it became very uncomfortable for her." Pilato knew Elizabeth in her final years.

Unfortunately, Pilato's "researcher" and assistant with the biography book used these exact same references (mainly lots of tabloid articles from the 1960s). There is no evidence Elizabeth confided in Pilato any of her possible negative feelings towards York or any other cast members. Nor was she and Pilato close.

Pilato avoided any negative comments about or attributed to Montgomery while she was alive. Once she died he then sensationalized her "biography" which in my opinion must be taken with a huge grain of salt. He even went so far as to suggest Elizabeth was an alcoholic once she safely passed on. For someone who claims to have "loved" her Pilato had no trouble airing her supposed "dirty laundry" to sell a book.

[icecream]

Originally Posted by tcr1701

After Dick York left Bewitched he spent about 18 months recuperating at home. Then found he could not get any new roles. Something related: Hayden Roark told Larry Hagman (who wanted to quit I Dream of Jeannie) that if an actor leaves a successful series no one in Hollywood will hire him again (this convinced Larry to remain with Jeannie). Dick York seemed to have faced this exact situation as his leaving was viewed by other producers as quitting a hit show. Suzanne Somers would face this too after her salary battle with Three's Company.

The Yorks also owned rental property but rented to low income resident who often couldn't pay rent. With no money coming in from acting they lost the property. Then Mr.s York's mother became ill and she and Dick permanently left Hollywood to care for her. They worked small odd jobs until Dick attempted a come-back in the 1980s. He did an episode of Fantasy Island and a Simon and Simon before a clerical mistake lost his contact information for casting. Upon being diagnosed with emphysema in the mid to late 1980s Dick retired from acting once again.

There was a story (unconfirmed) that talk show host Tom Snyder wanted to reunite Dick and Elizabeth Montgomery on his talk show in the late 70s, but Elizabeth refused. She did not do personal interviews due to her extreme fear of them. She mentions this fear in a much later interview with John Tesh.

Dick York had legitimate health reasons for leaving, while Suzanne Somers was just acting like a diva.

[tcr1701]

Originally Posted by catsrule

Dick York had legitimate health reasons for leaving, while Suzanne Somers was just acting like a diva.

Agreed, but the point was York's leaving may have been interpreted by producers at the time as political.It's just something Hayden Roark said usually happened no matter why an actor leaves a show. I don't know this is what happened to York.