Dick York in a Twilight Zone episode Unannounced replacement actors are nothing new to TV audiences. Fans of long-running shows have become accustomed to the occasional casting proxy and are generally undisturbed when they see a new performer take over an existing character. Few batted an eye when Sarah Chalke replaced Lecy Goranson as Becky Conner on "Roseanne," and there have been no less than 10 Doctor Whos, which actually worked to the show's advantage in a sci-fi kind of way. And, let's face it, the various Lassies have all been so similar as to require little in the way of suspension of disbelief from fans of the show. The most iconic of these surprise replacements, however, is easily Darrin Stephens, McMahon and Tate ad exec and husband to the nose-twitching witch Samantha on the classic sitcom "Bewitched." Originally played by Dick York (whose birthday we celebrate today), the big Darrin switcheroo took place during show's fifth season. York collapsed on set after suffering a debilitating back injury while working on the film "They Came to Cordura." He was forced to leave "Bewitched" and the role was commandeered by another Dick: Dick Sargent, who played Darrin until the show's demise in 1972. Interestingly enough, Sargent was the original choice for the role, opposite Tammy Grimes, but when she turned it down, he was no longer the favorite. Many argue that Bewitched lost a little magic and a great deal of charm when York left the show. The chemistry between Montgomery and Sargent lacked the fire and sparkle that made the original pairing so enjoyable to watch. Sargent, though an affable enough presence, played Darrin with a more cynical, acidic edge. The show only lasted a few more seasons before being relegated to rerun heaven -- and remake hell. Today, we'd like to twitch our noses and offer a birthday toast to the first (and arguably finest) "what's his name?" -- uh, Dexter? No, Darwin... um, I mean Darrin Stephens: Dick York. Suggested Sites... Bewitched and Elizabeth Montgomery Page - comprehensive fan site dedicated to the classic sitcom, featuring lots of photos, sound clips, interviews, and a tour of Darrin and Samantha's house and neighborhood. The Seesaw Girl and Me: A Memoir - autobiography written by Dick York. CafePress.com: The Bewitched Boutique - featuring "Bewitched"-inspired clothing and housewares. Yahoo! Movies: Dick York - with biography, filmography, photos, and more. Dick Sargent: No More 'Straight Man' - Owen Keenan interviews Dick Sargent about coming out as a gay man in Hollywood and his work as a GLBT activist.

Directory categories: Dick York, Dick Sargent, Bewitched (the TV show), Bewitched (the movie)

Archived under: Actors, Celebrities, Dick York, Entertainment, Imposters, TV

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