In 2024, a former child actress reflected on the 60th anniversary of the show that made her famous. While fans still remember her as the toddler on-screen, few know what happened to her after the cameras stopped rolling. From stepping away from Hollywood to exploring multiple careers, her journey has been anything but ordinary.
She was just a baby when she joined the cast of “Bewitched,” a series that became one of the most popular sitcoms of the 1960s. For years, audiences watched her character grow up alongside the show’s magical, nose-twitching heroine. But when the series ended abruptly, her life took a different direction.
The former child actor with her TV mother in “Bewitched” in 1968 | Source: Getty Images
Rather than chasing more acting roles, she stepped away from Hollywood and built a life outside the spotlight. Decades later, she built a life filled with business ventures, philanthropy, and family. However, she remains connected to the entertainment world. It all began with a casting decision that would define her childhood.
The “Bewitched” cast, cica 1966 | Source: Getty Images
Born on June 17, 1964, she was just a toddler when she was cast as Tabitha Stephens on “Bewitched.” She initially shared the role with her fraternal twin sister, Diane, for the first season, appearing together in 18 episodes. However, as they grew older, their appearances began to differ.
Producers ultimately decided to continue with just one of them for continuity. She remained in the role for the rest of the series, appearing in 103 episodes and becoming one of television’s most recognizable child stars. For a young child, the “Bewitched” set was an exciting place to grow up.
She recalled that the atmosphere was always fun, with animals like elephants and monkeys often present on set. Despite her young age, she remembers the filming process vividly. Certain moments, such as what was served for lunch or behind-the-scenes conversations, remain fresh in her mind.
Looking back, she considers herself lucky to have been part of a show that continues to be loved by audiences decades later. But while her time on “Bewitched” was filled with positive experiences, it came to an unexpected end.
After eight seasons, “Bewitched” came to an unexpected end in 1972. The show had been renewed for two more seasons, and the cast believed they would return after a brief hiatus. However, during the break, they received a letter informing them that the series would not continue.
The sudden cancellation came as a surprise, especially for the young actress, who was only eight years old at the time. Behind the scenes, the show’s star, Montgomery, was eager to move on to new roles. Her marriage to “Bewitched” director William Asher was also coming to an end, which may have influenced her decision to leave.
Without its leading actress, the series could not continue. For the young actress, the show’s ending meant a sudden shift in her daily life. While she loved working on set, she was also excited about the newfound freedom to participate in activities she had previously missed out on.
She later recalled how she went to Girl Scout camp instead of pursuing more acting roles, embracing a more typical childhood after years in the spotlight. Unlike some child stars, she did not struggle with the transition away from Hollywood.
Though she was offered other roles, she turned them down, preferring to step back from the entertainment industry. However, her connection to the show and her co-stars remained strong, and she would later reunite with them.
After stepping away from acting, the former child star focused on school and enjoyed a more typical upbringing. During her teenage years, she became a cheerleader and was crowned homecoming queen before graduating from El Toro High School in 1981.
As an adult, she explored various career paths. She worked as a casting director, acting coach, and even a makeup artist. At one point, she served as a stunt double for actress Virginia Madsen. In addition to her behind-the-scenes roles, she pursued writing, contributing to fashion and luxury lifestyle magazines.
She also ventured into business, launching her own knitwear company, Erin Murphy Knits, which specialized in eco-friendly alpaca wear. Later, she became co-owner of Slim Chillers, a company known for its low-calorie frozen vodka martini pops.
Over the years, she has continued to make occasional television appearances and remains connected to the entertainment world in different ways. Though her career took unexpected turns, she never lost sight of what mattered most—her family.
Beyond her career ventures, she embraced a busy life as a mother. Over the years, she married multiple times and had six sons. While none of them followed in her footsteps as child actors, she has always supported their passions, believing that children should be encouraged to pursue what makes them happiest.
When her son Parker was diagnosed with autism, she became deeply involved in autism advocacy. She had already been working with children’s charities for years, but after Parker’s diagnosis, she focused her efforts on autism awareness.
She began attending board meetings, volunteering, and speaking at events to help other parents navigate similar experiences. She also used her platform to spread awareness, frequently posting about Parker and the importance of support for children with autism.
One of her favorite activities with Parker is surfing, which has become an important part of his routine. She frequently shares photos of their Sunday surf days, crediting the sport with changing his life.
Through her advocacy work, she continues to support families facing similar experiences while balancing her own responsibilities as a mother. While raising her children remained her priority, her family eventually expanded further.
At 46, she entered a new chapter in her life—grandmotherhood. In January 2025, she celebrated her granddaughter Sayler’s 14th birthday by sharing a heartfelt post on social media. “14 years ago today my life changed forever when I became a grandma! ❤️” she wrote.
She reflected on years of tea parties, dance parties, fashion shows, and unforgettable adventures. Since Sayler’s birth, her family has continued to grow, and she has embraced her role as a grandmother. Many fans were shocked to learn she was already a grandmother.
Comments ranged from “You’re old enough to be a grandma?!” to “I can’t wrap my head around that one! This makes me officially old!!” One fan complimented, “She’s gorgeous- like you!!”
Although her grandchildren don’t regularly watch “Bewitched,” she once put the show on for them while they were staying with her. “I’ve always felt like it’s a little self-centered to sit down and watch yourself,” she admitted in 2024.
But when her grandkids finally saw it, they loved it. Though decades have passed since she played Tabitha Stephens, the show’s legacy continues to follow her.
More than five decades after “Bewitched” ended, Erin Murphy still holds fond memories of the people she worked with. She spent years on set with Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, and Dick Sargent, forming close relationships with all three.
Though they are no longer here, Murphy has spoken warmly about their impact on her life. She described Montgomery as not only a talented actress but also a supportive presence on set. They bonded over their shared love of animals and horse racing, and Montgomery treated her like family.
Even after “Bewitched” ended, they stayed in touch through Murphy’s parents, and when she became an adult, they reconnected as friends. “She was just a cool lady,” she reminisced. She added that Montgomery was deeply involved in the production of “Bewitched” and had no trouble transitioning into more serious roles after the show.
Murphy also grew close to both actors who played her on-screen father. York, who portrayed Darrin for five seasons, struggled with chronic pain from an old back injury. Though she was young at the time, she later learned how much he endured while filming.
“As a kid, I knew that he was in pain because it was talked about,” she recalled. York once told her that spending time with Murphy on set helped distract him from his pain and motivated him to stay on the show longer than he otherwise might have.
After York’s departure, Sargent stepped into the role of Darrin, and she developed a bond with him as well. The two remained in contact as adults, and at one point, there were serious discussions about a “Bewitched” reboot, though the project never materialized.
Between 1992 and 1995, all three of her “Bewitched” parents passed away—York from emphysema, Sargent from prostate cancer, and Montgomery from colon cancer. The losses happened in quick succession, making that time in Murphy’s life difficult to process.
“Within a five-year period, Liz, Dick Sargent, Dick York and my actual dad all passed away. It was kind of a surreal time,” she reflected. Though they are gone, Murphy still cherishes the memories of growing up on set. In September 2024, she marked the 60th anniversary of “Bewitched” with a throwback photo of herself as a toddler.
“Want to feel old? Bewitched premiered 60 years ago today, September 17, 1964. AND little Tabitha (Me!) is 60 years old! ❤️” she wrote. Fans reacted with nostalgia, with one commenting, “A cutie from birth to present day.” Another simply wrote, “Omg” while another added, “Beautiful then and now.”
Though they are gone, Murphy still cherishes the memories of growing up on set. And even after all these years, “Bewitched” remains a beloved part of television history.
But for her, life has always been about more than one chapter. “You can’t let one facet of your life be your whole life… It’s all about navigating life and having fun with it,” Murphy once said. And after all these years, she’s still doing just that.