Dick York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dick York
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Dick York in 1965
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| Born |
Richard Allen York
September 4, 1928 Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
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| Died | February 20, 1992 (aged 63) |
| Resting place | Plainfield Cemetery in Rockford, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1943–1970, 1972–1984 |
| Spouse(s) |
Joan Alt
(m. 1951) |
| Children | 5 |
Richard Allen York (born September 4, 1928 – died February 20, 1992) was an American actor. He worked in radio, on stage, in movies, and on television. He is best known for being the first actor to play Darrin Stephens on the TV show Bewitched. He also played Bertram Cates in the movie Inherit the Wind (1960).
York's acting career faced challenges because of a serious back injury. He got this injury while filming the movie They Came to Cordura in 1959. Even though Bewitched was a big hit, he had to leave the show in 1969. His health got worse, and he acted very little after that.
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Early Life and Career Beginnings
Dick York was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His father, Bernard York, was a salesman, and his mother, Betty, was a seamstress. He grew up in Chicago. A nun first noticed his talent for speaking.
He started acting at age 15. He was the star of the CBS radio program That Brewster Boy. He also appeared in many other radio shows and educational films. Later, he moved to New York City. There, he acted on Broadway in plays like Tea and Sympathy and Bus Stop. He worked with famous actors like Paul Muni and Joanne Woodward on live TV. He also acted with Janet Leigh, Jack Lemmon, and Glenn Ford in movies. Some of these movies were My Sister Eileen and Cowboy.
Back Injury and Its Impact
In 1959, while filming the movie They Came to Cordura, Dick York suffered a serious back injury. He was working with actors Gary Cooper and Rita Hayworth at the time. He described how he was lifting a heavy prop when another actor accidentally added weight. This caused a severe injury to his back muscles. This injury led to ongoing pain and affected his career.
His injury did not stop him right away. In 1960, a year after his injury, he played Bertram Cates in the movie Inherit the Wind. This character was based on John Thomas Scopes from the famous "Monkey Trial".
York also starred with Gene Kelly in the TV show Going My Way (1962). He played Tom Colwell, who ran a youth center. The show lasted for one season.
He appeared in many other popular TV shows. These included Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Untouchables, Rawhide, Wagon Train, and The Twilight Zone.
Starring in Bewitched
Dick York became very famous for his role as Darrin Stephens in the 1960s sitcom Bewitched. He played the human husband of Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery), who was a witch. The show was a huge hit. York was even nominated for an Emmy Award in 1968 for his acting.
To help him manage his back injury, the film crew built a special slanted wall for York to lean on between scenes. This helped him a lot during the first two seasons. However, during the third season, his back injury got worse. It became a painful condition that made it hard for him to walk. This often caused delays in filming.
Because of his pain, some episodes were written so that his character, Darrin, would be in bed or on the couch. York also missed several episodes in the third and fourth seasons. His health issues eventually led him to leave the show during the fifth season. This meant more episodes focused on Samantha and her magical family. Darrin's absence was often explained by saying he was away on a business trip.
During the filming of a fifth-season episode, York became very ill on set. He was in severe pain due to his back condition and had to be taken to the hospital. From his hospital bed, he decided to leave the show to focus on getting better.
After York left, another actor, Dick Sargent, took over the role of Darrin Stephens. Sargent played Darrin from the sixth season until the show ended in 1972.
Later Years and Charity Work
After leaving Bewitched, Dick York spent about 18 months recovering from his health issues. He later wrote a book called The Seesaw Girl and Me. In this book, he talked about his struggles and how his wife, Joan, supported him.
In the early 1980s, York tried to act again. His last two TV appearances were on the shows Simon & Simon and Fantasy Island.
In his final years, Dick York battled emphysema, a lung condition. He had been a heavy smoker for much of his life. By 1989, he needed an oxygen tank to help him breathe. Even while he was sick and mostly stayed in bed, he started a charity called Acting for Life. This charity helped people who were homeless and others in need. He used his phone to ask politicians, business people, and the public to donate supplies and money.
Despite his suffering, York felt grateful. He said he had been "blessed" and had "no complaints." He felt surrounded by people who loved him throughout his career.
Dick York passed away on February 20, 1992, at age 63. He died from complications related to emphysema in East Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is buried in Plainfield Cemetery in Rockford, Michigan.
Awards and Nominations
- 1968: Nominated for "Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series" for Bewitched.
Images for kids
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Insomnia.webm
Dick York in the 1945 short film Insomnia
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Them! (1954) trailer.webm
Dick York in Them! (1954)
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My Sister Eileen (1955) trailer.webm
Dick York in My Sister Eileen (1955)
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Operation Mad Ball trailer.webm
Dick York in Operation Mad Ball (1957)
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Cowboy (1958) trailer.webm
Dick York in Cowboy (1958)
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The Last Blitzkrieg trailer.webm
Dick York in The Last Blitzkrieg (1959)
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They Came to Cordura trailer.webm
Dick York in They Came to Cordura (1959)
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Inherit the Wind (1960) trailer.webm
Dick York in Inherit the Wind (1960)
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Going My Way (TV series) trailer.webm
Dick York in Going My Way (1962)
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The Flintstones - Samantha.webm
Dick York as Darrin Stephens in The Flintstones (1965)
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Simon & Simon - Too Much of a Good Thing.webm
Dick York in Simon & Simon (1983)
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Fantasy Island - Sweet Life - Games People Play.webm
Dick York in Fantasy Island (1984)
See also
In Spanish: Dick York para niños
