BewitchedChild Star Erin Murphy Reveals Who Was the Better TV Dad: Dick York or Dick Sargent (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Dick York, Erin Murphy and Dick Sargent of ‘Bewitched’.Photo:ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Paul Archuleta/Getty; ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Paul Archuleta/Getty; ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Erin Murphyis revealing herBewitchedfavorites!

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the Last Chance for Animals' 40th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, Oct. 19, the former child star, 60, who played young Tabitha Stephens — daughter of magical Samatha Stephens and Darrin Stephens — shared who her favorite actor was to play Darrin in the 1960s fantasy-comedy series.

“I will give you a scoop. My entire life I have been so diplomatic because I loved them both,” the star tells PEOPLE.  “They were wonderful guys. Watching the show, Dick York is a better Darrin.”

York played the role of Darrin from 1964 until a serious back injury caused him to leave the show in 1969.

Dick York and Erin Murphy in a 1966 poster for ‘Bewitched’.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Speaking about how York was “like a dad” to her, Murphy tells PEOPLE, “Dick York was a dad and he had a lot of kids and he was just more paternal.”

“So he was more like a dad,” she adds. “Dick Sargent was a great guy and we were in touch up until he passed away. But I’m going with Dick York on this one.”

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From left: David Lawrence, Dick Sargent, Elizabeth Montgomery and Erin Murphy in a ‘Bewitched’ photo in 1971.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Bewitched, which turned 60 this year, follows the story of young witch Samantha marrying an ordinary man named Darrin Stephens. While she promises to be a normal housewife and restrict her witch powers, things don’t go to plan.

“It’s so interesting because I grew up on the show, so it’s the only childhood I know, but I feel lucky,” Murphy says of the show and its 60th anniversary. “I really do. It’s like people love the show. They watched it when they were kids. Their kids watch it now, their grandkids watch it.”

Asked if her grandchildren watch the sitcom, Murphy tells PEOPLE, “You know what’s funny? Not a lot. I feel weird.”

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“I’ve always felt like it’s a little self-centered to sit down and watch yourself,” she says. “So if it happens to be on, I’ll let them watch. Last summer, I had two of my grandkids stay with me for the summer, so I thought, ‘Okay, I’ll put it on.’ And they loved it, so.”

“I think there’s something aboutBewitchedwhere it’s the magic and it’s well-written and the acting is amazing,” Murphy continues. “And I think if something’s good, it stands up over time. So I hope people still like the lighthearted thing, but we also had some messages in there.”

She adds that even when she travels to different countries “people know the show.”

“They loveBewitchedin Japan, but I went to Italy a couple of years ago with all the girls in my family and our driver said, ‘You’re a famous actress, are you?,’ " she recalls. “And I thought, ‘There’s no way he would know.’ "

Murphy continues, “And then it came to him and he was so excited. He was calling all of his family and FaceTiming with me. So I thought that was cool.”

source: people.com