Elizabeth Montgomery.

Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery

Born 15 Apr 1933 Hollywood, United States

Died 18 May 1995 Los Angeles, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 93 yr If Living

10 min read

Reading time

1,804

Words

Oct 1, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

Elizabeth Montgomery played Samantha Stephens in all 254 episodes of Bewitched 1964-1972, making her nose-twitch a pop culture icon. She was born into show business as the daughter of actor Robert Montgomery and actress Elizabeth Allen. After the series, she earned critical praise for TV movies like The Legend of Lizzie Borden 1975. Montgomery died of colorectal cancer in 1995 at age 62.

Identity & family.

KIN · 6

Names, aliases, and relatives of Elizabeth Montgomery — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery

Nicknames Liz, Lizzie

Aliases Pandora Spocks

Parents: Elizabeth Bryan Allen Robert Montgomery
Spouses: Robert Foxworth William Asher Gig Young Frederic Gallatin Cammann

At a glance.

STATS

Elizabeth Montgomery by the numbers — life, work, and family.

62 Years lived

3 Awards

4 Marriages

Who was Elizabeth Montgomery?

BIOGRAPHY

Elizabeth Montgomery — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery was born on April 15, 1933 in Hollywood, California into a show business family. Her mother, Elizabeth Bryan Allen, was a Broadway actress, and her father, Robert Montgomery, was a successful screen actor. She attended the Spence School in New York City and later graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1953. Montgomery made her television debut in her father’s series Robert Montgomery Presents in the 1950s, appearing in over 200 live programs.

Career

Montgomery’s career-defining role came in 1964 when she was cast as Samantha Stephens in the ABC sitcom Bewitched. The show ran for eight seasons and 254 episodes. Montgomery was the only cast member to appear in all of them. Her character’s trademark nose-twitch originated from Montgomery’s own nervous habit. Before Bewitched, she had notable film roles in The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell 1955 and Johnny Cool 1963. After the series ended in 1972, she transitioned to made-for-TV movies, earning critical acclaim for A Case of Rape 1974, The Legend of Lizzie Borden 1975, and Black Widow Murders: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story 1993. She narrated the documentary The Panama Deception 1992, which won an Academy Award.

Personal life

Montgomery was married four times: to Frederic Gallatin Cammann 1954-1955, Gig Young 1956-1963, William Asher 1963-1974, and Robert Foxworth 1993-1995. She had three children with William Asher: sons William Jr. born July 24, 1964 and Robert born October 5, 1965, and daughter Rebecca born June 17, 1969. Montgomery was a staunch liberal Democrat and activist for women’s and gay rights, serving as grand marshal at the 1992 Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade with Dick Sargent.

Legacy

Elizabeth Montgomery remains linked to her role as Samantha Stephens, a character that defined 1960s television. Her nose-twitch became one of the most recognizable gestures in pop culture. In 2008, she was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for television. A nine-foot bronze statue of Montgomery as Samantha riding a broomstick stands in Salem, Massachusetts. She inspired generations of actresses and is remembered as a talented performer who transitioned from sitcom star to serious dramatic actress in TV movies.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 3

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Elizabeth Montgomery — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Theatre World Award
Lucy Award
Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 3

A wall of memorable lines from Elizabeth Montgomery — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

The Minute Someone Says, Oh God, You Could Never Do That; You Can’t Get That Kind of Stuff on the Air! . . . That’s the Kind of Stuff I Want to Do.
Like Most People, I Secretly Hope That It’s True – That There Are Witches Like Samantha, and That Families Like Hers Really Do Exist.
I Was Never Bored on the Set, Not One Minute for 8 Years Was I Bored. Does That Sound so Disgustingly Pollyanna You Can Hardly Stand It? Because It’s Not. It Was Like Going to College for 8 Years and Taking an in Depth Course in What You Really Wanted to Do. so It Was Very, Very Exciting for Me, I Mean I Learned a Lot of Stuff, a Lot.

Did you know?

FACTS · 28

Little-known facts about Elizabeth Montgomery — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

A nine-foot bronze statue of her as Samantha Stephens riding sidesaddle on a broomstick now resides in a downtown park in Salem, Massachusetts.
She and Robert Foxworth moved in together in 1973 but waited almost 20 years before finally getting married.
Montgomery was the only cast member to appear in all 254 episodes of Bewitched 1964.
The signature nose twitch of Samantha originated when director William Asher noticed Montgomery’s nervous habit of twitching her upper lip.
She passed away on May 18, 1995, eight weeks after being diagnosed with colon cancer, the same date her Johnny Cool co-star Elisha Cook Jr. died.
Elizabeth Montgomery and Lizzie Borden were sixth cousins once removed, both descending from 17th-century Massachusetts resident John Luther.
She made a cameo appearance as a witch at the end of the beach-party film How to Stuff a Wild Bikini 1965, directed by then-husband William Asher.
Montgomery spent weekends and summers at the family farm in upstate Patterson, New York, often referenced in Bewitched.
She provided the voice of a cartoon version of her Bewitched character on The Flintstones 1965.
She was two months pregnant with son William Asher Jr. when filming the pilot of Bewitched, and gave birth to her three children while the series aired.
Several obituaries listed her as single and 57 when she was actually 62 and married to Robert Foxworth.
She lost the role of Edie Doyle in On the Waterfront 1954 to Eva Marie Saint.
Montgomery preferred Dick Sargent over Dick York as her TV husband and kept in touch with Sargent throughout her life.
She was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television on January 4, 2008.
She fell in love with director Richard Michaels during the eighth season of Bewitched, ending the possibility of a ninth season.
Ranked number 52 in FHM magazine’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World 1995.
Her children with William Asher are William Jr. b. July 24, 1964, Robert b. October 5, 1965, and Rebecca b. June 17, 1969.
She turned down the role of Krystle Carrington on Dynasty 1981, which went to Linda Evans.
She supported women’s rights and gay rights throughout her life. She was a grand marshal at the 1992 Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade with Dick Sargent.
She was friends with many on the Screen Gems lot including Shirley Jones, Dick York, Sally Field, and Agnes Moorehead.
She visited Dick York in early 1992 shortly before his death and tearfully apologized for not keeping in touch.
Her father was a staunch Republican, but she was a staunch liberal Democrat and feminist.
She appeared on the cover of the LP Invitation to Modern Jazz, Volume 1 from Prestige Records.
She played Samantha’s mischievous cousin Serena under the pseudonym Pandora Spocks.
Both she and Robert Foxworth co-starred opposite Anthony Hopkins in a television movie.
She attended and graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles in 1953.
She passed away five days after her ex-lover Alexander Godunov.
Her family scattered her ashes at sea at an undisclosed time.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 30

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Elizabeth Montgomery.

When was Elizabeth Montgomery born?

Elizabeth Montgomery was born on April 15, 1933. Her birthplace was Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Where was Elizabeth Montgomery born?

She was born in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. This is where she began her life in the entertainment capital.
When did Elizabeth Montgomery die?

Elizabeth Montgomery died on May 18, 1995. She was 62 years old at the time of her death.
How old was Elizabeth Montgomery when she died?

She was 62 years old when she died. Some obituaries incorrectly listed her as 57, but her family confirmed her age.
Where did Elizabeth Montgomery die?

She died in Los Angeles, California, USA. She passed away at her home.
How did Elizabeth Montgomery die?

She died from colorectal cancer. She was diagnosed eight weeks before her death on May 18, 1995.
What was Elizabeth Montgomery's real name?

Her real name was Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery. She was born under this name in 1933.
What did Elizabeth Montgomery do for a living?

She was an actress and soundtrack artist. She is best known for her role as Samantha Stephens on Bewitched.
What nationality was Elizabeth Montgomery?

She was American. She held United States citizenship throughout her life.
What language did Elizabeth Montgomery speak?

Her native language was English. She was born and raised in the United States.
Who were Elizabeth Montgomery's parents?

Her parents were Elizabeth Bryan Allen and Robert Montgomery. Her mother was a Broadway actress and her father was a prominent film actor.
Who was Elizabeth Montgomery married to?

She was married four times: to Frederic Gallatin Cammann 1954-1955, Gig Young 1956-1963, William Asher 1963-1974, and Robert Foxworth 1993-1995.
Where did Elizabeth Montgomery go to school?

She attended Harvard-Westlake School and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She graduated from the latter in 1953.
What awards did Elizabeth Montgomery win?

She won a Theatre World Award, a Lucy Award, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star was posthumously awarded in 2008.
What is Elizabeth Montgomery best known for?

She is best known for starring as Samantha Stephens on the ABC sitcom Bewitched from 1964 to 1972. She also appeared in TV movies like The Legend of Lizzie Borden.
How tall was Elizabeth Montgomery?

She was 5 feet 8 inches tall, which is 1.72 meters. Her height was often noted in her acting profiles.
What were Elizabeth Montgomery's nicknames?

She was nicknamed Liz and Lizzie by friends and family. These were affectionate diminutives of her first name.
What was the alias Pandora Spocks used for?

Montgomery used the alias Pandora Spocks to play Samantha’s mischievous cousin Serena on Bewitched. It was a pun on Pandora’s Box.
Did Elizabeth Montgomery have children?

Yes, she had three children with third husband William Asher: sons William Asher Jr. born 1964 and Robert Asher born 1965, and daughter Rebecca Asher born 1969.
Did Elizabeth Montgomery have siblings?

She had two siblings: an older sister Martha Bryan Montgomery who died at 14 months from spinal meningitis, and a younger brother Robert Montgomery Jr. 1936-2000.
What was Elizabeth Montgomery's relationship with Dick York and Dick Sargent?

She preferred Dick Sargent to Dick York. She lost touch with York after his departure but visited him in 1992 to apologize. She remained friends with Sargent.
Did Elizabeth Montgomery support any causes?

She was a staunch liberal Democrat and feminist who supported women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights. She served as grand marshal at the 1992 Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade.
Is there a statue of Elizabeth Montgomery?

Yes, a nine-foot bronze statue of her as Samantha Stephens riding a broomstick stands in Salem, Massachusetts. It was erected in her honor.
How many episodes of Bewitched did Elizabeth Montgomery appear in?

She appeared in all 254 episodes of Bewitched. She was the only cast member to do so.
What did Elizabeth Montgomery do after Bewitched?

After Bewitched, she focused on made-for-TV movies, earning critical praise for films like A Case of Rape 1974 and The Legend of Lizzie Borden 1975.
Did Elizabeth Montgomery win an Academy Award?

She narrated the documentary The Panama Deception 1992, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 1993. However, the award went to the producers, not to her.
Was Elizabeth Montgomery related to Lizzie Borden?

Yes, she was a sixth cousin once removed of Lizzie Borden. Genealogist Rhonda McClure documented the connection, noting both descended from John Luther of 17th-century Massachusetts.
What was Elizabeth Montgomery's political affiliation?

She was a liberal Democrat. Her father was a staunch Republican, but Montgomery identified with the Democratic Party.
Did Elizabeth Montgomery have any uncredited film roles?

She appeared in only four theatrical films, one of which was an uncredited bit part. Most of her work was in television.
What was the cause of Elizabeth Montgomery's death?

She died from colorectal cancer. Her family did not disclose the type of cancer initially, but it was later reported as colon cancer.

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Audited & updated by

If something's wrong in a profile, Daniel will find it. With 7 years of research experience, he's developed an almost unreasonable eye for inaccurate career timelines, misattributed credits, and dates that don't quite add up. He doesn't publish anything he can't verify. The profiles on Famousy are as accurate as they are largely because of work you'll never see his name on.

Published on October 1, 2026

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