Happy Birthday, Elizabeth Montgomery
A tribute to the beloved twitch-witch who's now an angel
Bewitched star Elizabeth Montgomery would be 87 years young today. And yet, on television, or in real life, she will always be immortal.
In 1989, I met and interviewed Elizabeth for the original Bewitched Book, which eventually was revised as Bewitched Forever which, in turn, inspired me to write her biography, Twitch Upon a Star, and the encyclopedic follow-up, The Essential Elizabeth Montgomery.
I never once requested an autograph, a picture with her, or asked her to twitch her nose, the trademark facial expressed she utilized as Samantha to manifest her magic on Bewitched. As a result, she respected me as a person, because I respected her as a human being, and not as a Hollywood product.
In today’s world, “with-celebrity” photos are not only considered acceptable, but relatively “cool.” Elizabeth, most likely, would have now welcomed any and all opportunities to take photos with her fans.
But I was more than just a fan. I became her friend, if just for that brief period in 1989 when we conversed during what became four consecutive separate visits to her home in Beverly Hills.
But even more than her friend, I viewed myself as her guardian angel - and I told her so. She then told me that the only other person who described themselves as such was her beloved maternal grandmother, “Becca.” And that if I was going to take Becca’s place, I’d “better do a damn good job.”
Hopefully, I have - and will continue to do so.
Listed below are links to three of my favorite articles about Elizabeth in honor of this, her special day.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Elizabeth. You’re the true angel, now.
25 Years Since She’s Been Gone
https://medium.com/herbie-js-house/elizabeth-montgomery-25-years-since-shes-been-gone-e7e4da2852cc
The Legend of Lizzie Montgomery
Elizabeth Montgomery and the Rally Against Prejudice