September 4, 1928 – February 20, 1992
By far the most popular Darrin (1964-1969), he left the show Bewitched after filming 116 episodes because of a back injury he received while he was on location for the Robert Rossen film, They Came to Cordura, which starred Gary Cooper and Tab Hunter. He also suffered from emphysema and spent his final years in an overstuffed chair hooked up to an oxygen tank. I don’t know if he considered himself an artist, but this is what he sent to me.
Dick was not a dick. This man spent most of his time on the telephone raising money for the homeless and getting people to donate food and clothing. His group was called “Acting for Life.”
He once said, “You know, three whales get in trouble and people from all over volunteer to help. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if one old has-been actor with a hose up his nose could help millions?”
Most reports claim that he died in his home at 5370 Belding Road, in Rockford, Michigan on the afternoon of February 20, 1992. Dick was 63 years old.
Wanna see his mailbox?
Services were held at 1 PM, on Feb 22, 1992, at the Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N. Monroe Street, in Rockford, and he is interred in the Plainfield Township Cemetery.
Rest in peace, Dumb-Dumb.
Trivia: When he was replaced by Dick Sargent on Bewitched, the ratings dropped 13 places.
UPDATE December 2004, from Find a Death friend Bob:
Enjoy your site. In regard to Dick York, several years ago he would always be on WLUP radio station here in Chicago via phone with Jonathan Brandmeier. Brandmeier would help York raise money for the homeless, and upon hearing of a donation Brandmeier had raised, York was quite moved. He thanked him and said, “John, that reminds me of something my mother always said, “Reach for the light – a Bud Light,” cracking everyone up in the studio. Quite a man that could sit in his home in Michigan raising money for the homeless while suffering, and still crack a joke.
Bob
Thanks, Bob!
Unfortunately in 2011 the York home was demolished. Thank you FAD friend Glennes Page for letting us know this sad news.
Read about Elizabeth Montgomery and the rest of the Bewitched cast, HERE.
Sounds like he was a heckuva guy.
I wasn’t aware of his charitable work.
Home constructed on the lot at that address in 2017: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5370-Belding-Rd-NE-Rockford-MI-49341/23767319_zpid/
From everything I’ve seen and read regarding Mr. York, he was an exceedingly generous man who was very affable and honest. Something that’s severely lacking in Hollywood. R.I.P. Mr York.
William Froug, who was a producer on Bewitched, said that Liz Montgomery couldn’t stand Dick York. Apparently he had a huge crush on her, and she couldn’t stand how he stared at her.
Yeah. But I couldn’t stop staring at he either. Whenever I watched the show.
…not to mention the considerable dramatic acting skills he displayed in the classic film “Inherit The Wind” — up against substantial actors such as Spencer Tracy and Fredric March no less.
Bless you Mr. York.
Yes. The man was hugely talented.