Dick Sargent

April 19, 1930 – July 8, 1994



 

Dick Sargent
Dick Sargent

 

His birth name was Richard Cox. Dick Cox. Sargent was best known for his role as the second “Darrin,” on the television show Bewitched. He claimed that he was the original choice to play the role, but due to contractual obligations he had to turn it down. Lucky for us. But he WAS in my all time favorite episode (with Boyce and Hart) when Serena sings that cool song. For years I watched Bewitched on television hoping to see that show.

 

Don’t you sometimes wish you could just live in a sitcom.  Pull up your car into the driveways in Morning Glory Circle?  Oh wait…

 

 

In 1990, Dick was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but since it was discovered in the early stages, doctors were optimistic that it could be, um, rectified in time. He began chemotherapy treatments, and hoped he had beaten the disease.

In 1991, he made the news again on National Coming Out Day. He admitted publicly that he was a gay man, and became a spokesperson for Gay Rights. A brave move, considering he hardly ever worked again.

Sargent was living at the end of this cul-de-sac in the Hollywood Hills.

 

 

Want to see his garbage cans?

 

 

You see? The excitement never ends here at Find a Death. When the announcement of his illness hit the press, he got up to a hundred letters a month in this mailbox, from supportive fans.

 

 

 

The cancer returned in 1993, and spread to his hip, pubic bone and shoulder. He eventually came to grips with the fact that he wasn’t going to be around much longer.

His last weeks were pretty busy, as Dick saw to it that he went out with a bang. On July 2 he attended a friends wedding, and happily laughed and signed autographs. Someone commented on how well he looked. His response was a Mark Twain quote, “I know people seem to think they’ll soon read in the obits that I am dead. But the rumors of my impending death are greatly exaggerated.” He threw a massive party on July 3 for friends to celebrate Independence Day. On the July 6 he took a turn for the worse, and was admitted to the hospital.

The end finally came at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, in Los Angeles, on Friday July 8th, 1994.

 

 

With him in his room were his boyfriend Albert, his doctor and a hospital minister. “I told Dick to let go,” Albert said, “and he just drifted away.” He was 64 years old. He had the cancer for 4 1/2 years. Agony.

 

 

Elizabeth Montgomery issued this statement: “I will miss his love, his sense of humor and his remarkable courage.”

He was cremated, and his ashes were given to his boyfriend, 37 year old Albert Williams.

 

 

Trivia: After his announcement that he was gay, in 1992 Dick reunited with his Bewitched co-star Elizabeth Montgomery, to be the grand marshals of the Gay and Lesbian Pride Celebration Parade, in West Hollywood. When a reporter asked Ms. Montgomery why she was doing it, her reply (with a smile) was: “I’m doing it for the love of Dick.” Well put, Lizzie.

 

I am gutted.  Findadeath.com friend Bobbie sets me straight:  She didn’t say this. Although trivial, I agree. It should be corrected. Watch the clip: She says, “I’m here for my friend”, or “I’m here to support my friend”. She doesn’t say “I’m doing it for the love of dick”. I love your site, BTW.

 

Read about Elizabeth Montgomery and the rest of the Bewitched cast, HERE.

 

 

4 thoughts on “Dick Sargent

  • November 28, 2022 at 5:28 pm
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    The incident mentioned.here concerning the way Agnes Mooreheaf treated Dick Sargent took place at the first script meeting in season six. Moorehead said that she didn’t like change, referring to Dick York having to leave. That brought out Lizzie’s anger. She told Moorehead that she had to apologize. It moved to Agnes Moorehead’s dressing room. Well, Lizzie got her way. Agnes Moorehead apologized on set, in front of everyone. But she still didn’t treat Sargent right until season eight, when dropped the issue. They eventually became friends, according to Dick Sargent.

  • April 18, 2021 at 5:20 am
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    “Elizabeth Montgomery enjoyed acting with Dick Sargent despite his drier, angrier delivery than Dick York. Agnes Moorehead” All three of them died from cancer, although I’m sure there were several others in the cast that probably died from it too. I remember even as a kid thinking “why is that pretty lady married to that ugly man?”(the “man” being Dick York). It made more realistic sense she was married to the nicer looking Dick Sargent, or as realistic as a story about a modern day witch with magical powers could be. Waaaay ahead of its’ time when I think about RK Rowlands and Harry Potter. I wonder if she knew about this show when growing up.

    • March 29, 2023 at 4:03 pm
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      If anyone was ugly it was sergeant get glasses and a lot of people prefer York over sergeant funny though nobody came to his aide when York needed it

  • December 19, 2019 at 2:21 pm
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    Elizabeth Montgomery enjoyed acting with Dick Sargent despite his drier, angrier delivery than Dick York. Agnes Moorehead gave Sargent a hard time during the 69-70 season as she felt his performance was lacking. Sargent was devastated by one of Aggie’s foul moods and Liz Montgomery reportedly had to step in to tell Agnes to lay off the guy.

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