Home> Facts and Trivia > Stars > Dick York
Dick York Facts
| Sign | Virgo |
| Born |
Sep 4, 1928 Fort Wayne, IN |
| Died |
Feb 20, 1992 Grand Rapids, MI |
| Age | Died at 63 |
| Total Facts | 28 |
Appeared in three films with Jack Lemmon: My Sister Eileen (1955), Operation Mad Ball (1957) and Cowboy (1958).
Appeared six times on the "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" (1955) TV series, but never met the famed director in person.
At the age of 15, York was the star of the network radio program "That Brewster Boy"
Best remembered by the public for his co-starring role as Darrin Stephens in "Bewitched" (1964).
Buried at Plainfield Cemetery, Rockford, Kent County, Michigan.
Despite their antagonistic roles on the "Bewitched" (1964) as Darrin and Endora, York grew quite close to actress Agnes Moorehead off camera.
Developed emphysema after years of smoking and became dependent on oxygen tanks in his last years. Died of complications from emphysema at a Grand Rapids, Michigan hospital.
Dick's five children: Kim, Mandy, Stacy, Christopher and Matthew.
Director Stanley Kramer allowed Dick to write his first scene in the movie Inherit the Wind (1960), in which his character, educator Bertram Cates, goes on trial for teaching his students Darwin's theory of evolution. This was his last film role. He subsequently concentrated on TV.
During the filming of They Came to Cordura (1959), Dick was seriously injured during a railroad hand car scene. He and Gary Cooper were propelling a hand car down a railroad track with other men when he accidentally lifted the mechanism without his comrades help and wrenched his back, tearing the muscles along the right side of his back. For him it was the beginning of the end. He grew addicted to painkillers and struggled valiantly another decade before retiring in 1969.
First work on Broadway was a supporting role in "Tea and Sympathy" starring John Kerr and Deborah Kerr. The play opened on September 30, 1953. His success in this play led to a contract with Columbia Pictures.
He and his family moved to Rockford, Michigan in the 1980s to care for his wife's ailing mother. When she died they stayed on in her house.
He and his family suffered during the depression from starvation and loss of money. York said that what had inspired him to start his charity Acting for Life which helped the homeless.
His father Bernard was a salesman. His mother worked as a seamstress and later operated a beauty shop. The family moved from Indiana to Chicago when he was ten.
His very revealing autobiography is entitled "The Seesaw Girl and Me".
Made a brief comeback on TV in the 1970s in episodes of "Fantasy Island" and "Simon and Simon".
Met future wife Joan Alt while doing radio's "Jack Armstrong, All-American Boy". Joan came in to do a commercial on the show.
Moved to Michigan in the mid-80s to care for his wife's ill mother, and was diagnosed with emphysema shortly after.
Moved to New York in 1951 and took a room at a YMCA. He eventually became a working NY radio actor on a number of series.
Played jailed teacher Bertram T. Cates in both the cinematic release Inherit the Wind (1960) and and the television movie Inherit the Wind (1965) (TV).
Special furniture was used on the set of "Bewitched" (1964) for him due to his back problems. Other cast and crew members also helped him get around on the set. He had to leave the show when he suddenly collapsed one day on the set in 1969.
Started a charity called "Acting for Life". He spent most of his time on the telephone raising money for the homeless and getting people to donate food and clothing.
The "Bewitched" (1964) TV comedy series was originally a vehicle for Broadway star Tammy Grimes as the lovely witch Samantha. She had recently scored in the Broadway musical comedy "High Spirits," based on the Noel Coward play "Blithe Spirit," in which she played the deceased Elvira who comes back to haunt her former husband. Dick Sargent was chosen to play her mortal mate Darrin Stephens. When Grimes passed on the series, Elizabeth Montgomery was cast in the role. By that time, Sargent had other acting commitments and was forced to bow out of the pilot. York came into the picture after Richard Crenna of "The Real McCoys" fame turned the role down. Of course, Sargent wound up replacing York as Darrin in 1969 after York suffered a seizure on the set and was rushed to the hospital. He never returned to the show and the "second Darrin Stephens" never explained.
Was enrolled in The Jack and Jill Players, a children's acting school, in Chicago. This training led to his first professional break with a two-year stretch as "That Brewster Boy" on radio during WWII while a teenager. "That Brewster Boy" was inspired by the success of "The Aldrich Family". He then went on to join the radio series "Jack Armstrong, All-American Boy" playing Billy Fairchild, Jack's friend, for six years (until 1951).
Was first influenced to become an actor when he saw the Cecil B. DeMille film The Crusades (1935).
Was left impoverished in 1976 after a real estate investment failed, and was on welfare for a time.
Was nominated for Best Actor in a Comedy Series during the fourth season of "Bewitched" (1964). Lost to "Get Smart's Don Adams.
York first injured his back while working on the 1959 film They Came to Cordura (1959).