Biography for
Dick York (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

4 September 1928, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA

Date of Death

20 February 1992, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA (emphysema)

Birth Name

Richard Allen York

Height

6' 1" (1.85 m)

Mini Biography

The gangly York is best remembered as the first and most frustrated "Darrin Stephens" on the long-running TV series "Bewitched" (1964). He left the series in 1969 due to a chronic back ailment. He later founded Acting for Life, a private fund-raising effort for the homeless, which he managed from his home where he was bedridden with a degenerative spine injury.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Ray Hamel

Spouse

Joan Alt

(17 November 1951 - 20 February 1992) (his death) 5 children

Trivia

York first injured his back while working on the 1959 film They Came to Cordura (1959).

At the age of 15, York was the star of the network radio program "That Brewster Boy"

Buried at Plainfield Cemetery, Rockford, Kent County, Michigan.

Moved to Michigan in the mid-80s to care for his wife's ill mother, and was diagnosed with emphysema shortly after.

Was left impoverished in 1976 after a real estate investment failed, and was on welfare for a time.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Darrin Stephens in Bewitched (1964).

Personal Quotes

"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?"

"I have done more in this chair here then I could have ever done in Hollywood."

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