It’s a twitch of the nose. A little spark of magic. If you grew up anywhere near a television set in the sixties or seventies, Elizabeth Montgomery wasn't just an actress; she was Samantha Stephens, the enchanting housewife who made suburban life look supernatural. But for all the lighthearted comedy of Bewitched, the reality of when did Elizabeth Montgomery die is a story that still catches fans off guard.
She was young. Only 62.
It happened on May 18, 1995. The world was stunned because, quite frankly, nobody knew she was sick. That was intentional. Montgomery was a private person who didn't want the tabloid circus surrounding her final days. She chose to face the end on her own terms, away from the cameras that had followed her since she was a teenager.
The Short, Brave Battle of 1995
The timeline of her illness is shockingly brief.
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Earlier in 1995, Elizabeth was busy filming a television movie called Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan. During production, she started feeling off. Fatigue. Some weight loss. Flu-like symptoms that just wouldn't quit. Like many of us do, she pushed through it. She finished the project before finally seeking medical help.
The news was devastating. Doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center diagnosed her with colorectal cancer.
By the time they found it, the disease had already moved. It had spread to her liver and lungs. Because the diagnosis came so late, she was deemed too weak for the rigors of radiation or heavy chemotherapy. She spent a short time in the hospital but, ever the woman in control of her own destiny, she decided she didn't want to die in a sterile ward.
She went home.
She returned to her Beverly Hills estate to be with her family. Her husband, actor Robert Foxworth, and her three children from her marriage to William Asher—Willy, Robert, and Rebecca—were by her side. Only eight weeks after that initial diagnosis, she passed away in her sleep.
Why the Timing of When Elizabeth Montgomery Died Matters
The shock of her death wasn't just about her age; it was about her vitality.
Elizabeth Montgomery had spent the years after Bewitched (which ended in 1972) systematically dismantling her "good girl" image. She didn't want to be Samantha forever. She took on gritty, controversial roles that made people uncomfortable.
In 1974, she starred in A Case of Rape, a landmark television movie that changed the way society viewed sexual assault and the legal system. It was one of the highest-rated TV movies in history. She followed that up with The Legend of Lizzie Borden, playing the infamous accused axe murderer with a chilling intensity that was a million miles away from a twitching nose.
She was an activist, too.
She was a vocal supporter of gay rights long before it was "safe" for Hollywood stars to be so. She volunteered for AIDS Project Los Angeles and narrated documentaries about the Iran-Contra affair and the U.S. invasion of Panama. She was a woman of deep substance and fierce political convictions.
When she died in 1995, the entertainment industry lost one of its most versatile performers and one of its bravest voices.
A Quick Timeline of Her Final Months:
- Early 1995: Montgomery experiences fatigue and weight loss while filming Deadline for Murder.
- March 1995: She seeks medical attention and receives the colorectal cancer diagnosis.
- April 1995: The cancer is found to have metastasized; she chooses to return home for palliative care.
- May 18, 1995: Elizabeth Montgomery dies at her home in Beverly Hills.
- June 18, 1995: A memorial service is held at the Canon Theatre in Beverly Hills to celebrate her life.
The Legacy Beyond the Magic
Honestly, it’s hard to overstate how much she meant to people.
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Even today, decades after she passed, Bewitched plays in syndication across the globe. But her true legacy is found in the doors she opened. She was one of the first female stars to have real power behind the scenes, co-producing her show with her then-husband William Asher. She refused to be "just" the wife or "just" the witch.
She hated being asked to "do the twitch" in public. Once the show was over, she wanted that chapter closed. She was proud of Samantha, sure, but she was more interested in what was next.
Her death served as a grim reminder of the importance of early cancer screening. Colorectal cancer is often treatable if caught early, but because Elizabeth ignored the symptoms to finish her work, she lost that window. It’s a tragedy that still resonates with fans who feel like they lost a member of the family.
Staying Informed and Taking Action
While we look back at the life of Elizabeth Montgomery, the best way to honor her memory is to pay attention to the health lessons her story provides.
- Prioritize Screenings: If you are over 45 (or younger with a family history), regular colonoscopies are essential. Most people find the idea of the test worse than the actual procedure.
- Listen to Your Body: Don't ignore persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, or changes in bowel habits. "Pushing through" isn't always the brave choice; sometimes, the brave choice is going to the doctor.
- Support the Arts and Activism: Elizabeth used her platform to speak for those who couldn't. Supporting organizations like APLA Health or local theater groups keeps her spirit of advocacy and creativity alive.
Elizabeth Montgomery’s life was more than a sitcom. It was a masterclass in range, a lesson in privacy, and a testament to the power of using one's voice for good. She left us far too soon, but the magic she left behind hasn't faded one bit.
Check your health insurance for preventative screening coverage today. Most modern plans cover colorectal screenings at 100% as part of routine wellness because early detection truly saves lives.