Dick York - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Fonzie87 · 06-03-2003, 09:25 PM

Hey, does anyone know how, or if, Dick York died? I liked him better than Dick Sargent.

Arfies · 06-03-2003, 09:38 PM

Dick York (1928-1992) died of emphysema, jobless and in poor health.

He was replaced as Darrin in 1969 due to an old back injury that left him with an addiction to painkillers. He suffered a seizure on the set (due to the side effects of the painkillers- most of which have since been banned for being unsafe) and was rushed into the hospital, in a coma. He wasn't fired from Bewitched (even though the studio wanted him fired from the beginning for costing them money). It was a mutual agreement between York and producer/husband of Elizabeth Montgomery, William Asher, that he could no longer continue. It was Asher that fought to keep York on the cast for so long, because as he put it, York was indeed "perfect for the part."

A tragic experience for such a warmhearted man.

TV Guy · 06-04-2003, 12:44 AM

And yet York has said in interviews that all he needed was the summer hiatus to recuperate (but the show was rushing back into production to film episodes before Elizabeth Montgomery's maternity leave). Others who worked on "Bewitched" have publicly said that the Ashers did not stick by York as long as they could have. Still another account I read recently said that the studio could no longer obtain production insurance for York due to his poor health, and that this was the reason he was dropped from the show.

I think this is one of those issues where we'll never really know exactly what happened, and who is really responsible for York's departure.

Chad22 · 06-04-2003, 03:57 PM

Its sad too because i liked him better than Dick Sargent. Not taking away from Dick Sargent hes a great actor, But i prefer Dick York and its a shame that happened.

Unwanted Angel · 06-04-2003, 10:47 PM

Yeah it is a shame. I thought DY was much better then DS plus he was cuter lol.

Brandon · 06-04-2003, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by T.a.T.u Gurl18
Yeah it is a shame. I thought Dick York was much better then Dick Sargaent

i agree.

pandora_spocks · 06-05-2003, 01:12 AM

I like both York and Sargent as Darrin so the switch of Darrin's isn't that big of a deal to me.

Samantha loved Darrin no matter who played him.

dramastudent · 06-19-2003, 12:31 AM

Did you know that originally they wanted Dick Sargeant as Darrin? He was involved in something else at the time, so they cast Dick York. When he was ill, they replaced him with Dick Sargeant.

I admit, I thought the chemistry between Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York was better than with her and Dick Sargeant.

Just Popped In · 06-21-2003, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by T.a.T.u Gurl18
Yeah it is a shame. I thought DY was much better then DS plus he was cuter lol.

agreed

Janice · 07-22-2003, 11:10 AM

Is it ever obvious on the show that Dick York was ill? I know he began missing episodes, but other than that, do they have him sitting in scenes a lot or things like that? Does his face give the pain away?
The poor guy, forced to leave a hit show and to live with constant pain.
He was a great comedic actor.

Novarro · 07-22-2003, 07:05 PM

Janice,
I think they managed to hide Dick York's worsening health quite well. I know as the fifth season progresses I always try and see in Dick York's movements and facial expressions any signs of th eobvious pain he was in. Typical of that special man that he kepts going despite the agony he was in.I can only obviously see the trouble he was in in his last filmed episode (which wasn't his last episode that is aired in that season) which takes place on his birthday and Maurice arrives and gives him a watch. After the argument over its powers Maurice turns him into a mule/horse . In that episode Dick York looks terribly ill with a strained expression on his face....you can see the end is near, just prior to his collapse on the set. You will notice in this episode that he hardly moves at all and is just sitting or standing in the one spot for his few scenes. The poor man was a wonderful actor and a great trouper to keep going as he did.

Novarro · 07-22-2003, 07:23 PM

Also, in that sad episode Dick York is unfortunately wearing a very dark suit in his few scenes which I think emphasizes his gaunt and strained appearance. Luckily Maurice Evans was right on the spot with him when he collapsed so thankfully he didn't have his final seizure when driving home or alone in his dressing room etc.

Janice · 07-22-2003, 07:57 PM

Okay, Novarro, I'm just about in tears after reading your posts. Not really, but you explained Dick York's terrible situation beautifully.
I'm sort of new to Bewitched, in the sense that I was a kid during its original run and just haven't seen it much over the years. I always knew Dick York's story but now that I'm seeing the comic genius at work, I feel bad about it.

ConservativeBalla · 07-26-2003, 10:49 AM

I never knew all this about Dick York. I liked him better than Sargent.

rml83 · 07-28-2003, 09:24 PM

Wasn't he just amazing? He was in so much pain yet he STILL put forth these amazing performances. I agree with Novarro, I think the most obvious signs of pain can be found in "Daddy Does His Thing". It kills me though. I'll be watching any episode of Bewitched and any time he does any physical comedy, I wince. I'm always wondering if he was in pain.

06-03-2003, 09:25 PM	#1
Fonzie87 Avatar By: TheFonz Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 14, 2002 Location: Workin On Irene... A 1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 Posts: 222	Dick York Hey, does anyone know how, or if, Dick York died? I liked him better than Dick Sargent.
	__________________ God Bless America __________________

06-05-2003, 01:12 AM	#7
pandora_spocks Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Nov 30, 2002 Posts: 21,532	I like both York and Sargent as Darrin so the switch of Darrin's isn't that big of a deal to me. Samantha loved Darrin no matter who played him. Attached Images

06-19-2003, 12:31 AM	#8
dramastudent Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 18, 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 14	Dick Trivia Did you know that originally they wanted Dick Sargeant as Darrin? He was involved in something else at the time, so they cast Dick York. When he was ill, they replaced him with Dick Sargeant. I admit, I thought the chemistry between Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York was better than with her and Dick Sargeant.

07-22-2003, 07:57 PM	#13
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Such a shame Okay, Novarro, I'm just about in tears after reading your posts. Not really, but you explained Dick York's terrible situation beautifully. I'm sort of new to Bewitched, in the sense that I was a kid during its original run and just haven't seen it much over the years. I always knew Dick York's story but now that I'm seeing the comic genius at work, I feel bad about it.

07-26-2003, 10:49 AM	#14
ConservativeBalla R.I.P., Mr. Reagan. Senior Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2003 Location: 704 Hauser Street, Queens, New York; having an eating contest with Meathead eating Edith's beef stew. Posts: 1,822	I never knew all this about Dick York. I liked him better than Sargent.
	__________________ Big Daddy: ...now you promise me you won't fret none. Dorothy: Well, I would, but I'm not exactly sure what "fret none" is.

06-03-2003, 09:38 PM	#2
Arfies Memberific Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: There beneath the blue suburban skies, in summer, meanwhile back.... Posts: 481	Dick York (1928-1992) died of emphysema, jobless and in poor health. He was replaced as Darrin in 1969 due to an old back injury that left him with an addiction to painkillers. He suffered a seizure on the set (due to the side effects of the painkillers- most of which have since been banned for being unsafe) and was rushed into the hospital, in a coma. He wasn't fired from Bewitched (even though the studio wanted him fired from the beginning for costing them money). It was a mutual agreement between York and producer/husband of Elizabeth Montgomery, William Asher, that he could no longer continue. It was Asher that fought to keep York on the cast for so long, because as he put it, York was indeed "perfect for the part." A tragic experience for such a warmhearted man.

06-04-2003, 12:44 AM	#3
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	And yet York has said in interviews that all he needed was the summer hiatus to recuperate (but the show was rushing back into production to film episodes before Elizabeth Montgomery's maternity leave). Others who worked on "Bewitched" have publicly said that the Ashers did not stick by York as long as they could have. Still another account I read recently said that the studio could no longer obtain production insurance for York due to his poor health, and that this was the reason he was dropped from the show. I think this is one of those issues where we'll never really know exactly what happened, and who is really responsible for York's departure.

06-04-2003, 03:57 PM	#4
Chad22 Captain Juke N Jive Moderator Forum Addict Join Date: Nov 23, 2002 Location: Caribou, Maine Posts: 71,661	Its sad too because i liked him better than Dick Sargent. Not taking away from Dick Sargent hes a great actor, But i prefer Dick York and its a shame that happened.

06-04-2003, 10:47 PM	#5
Unwanted Angel Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Posts: 12,658	Yeah it is a shame. I thought DY was much better then DS plus he was cuter lol.

07-22-2003, 11:10 AM	#10
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Is it ever obvious on the show that Dick York was ill? I know he began missing episodes, but other than that, do they have him sitting in scenes a lot or things like that? Does his face give the pain away? The poor guy, forced to leave a hit show and to live with constant pain. He was a great comedic actor.

07-22-2003, 07:05 PM	#11
Novarro Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 02, 2002 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 191	Janice, I think they managed to hide Dick York's worsening health quite well. I know as the fifth season progresses I always try and see in Dick York's movements and facial expressions any signs of th eobvious pain he was in. Typical of that special man that he kepts going despite the agony he was in.I can only obviously see the trouble he was in in his last filmed episode (which wasn't his last episode that is aired in that season) which takes place on his birthday and Maurice arrives and gives him a watch. After the argument over its powers Maurice turns him into a mule/horse . In that episode Dick York looks terribly ill with a strained expression on his face....you can see the end is near, just prior to his collapse on the set. You will notice in this episode that he hardly moves at all and is just sitting or standing in the one spot for his few scenes. The poor man was a wonderful actor and a great trouper to keep going as he did.

07-22-2003, 07:23 PM	#12
Novarro Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 02, 2002 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 191	Also, in that sad episode Dick York is unfortunately wearing a very dark suit in his few scenes which I think emphasizes his gaunt and strained appearance. Luckily Maurice Evans was right on the spot with him when he collapsed so thankfully he didn't have his final seizure when driving home or alone in his dressing room etc.

07-28-2003, 09:24 PM	#15
rml83 we <3 you, john. Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 05, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 41	Wasn't he just amazing? He was in so much pain yet he STILL put forth these amazing performances. I agree with Novarro, I think the most obvious signs of pain can be found in "Daddy Does His Thing". It kills me though. I'll be watching any episode of Bewitched and any time he does any physical comedy, I wince. I'm always wondering if he was in pain.
	__________________ Randie "in paris, people eat better. and in paris, people make love -- well, perhaps not better, but certainly more often."-- love in the afternoon