Dick Sargent

Dick Sargent
Born	Richard Stanford Cox April 19, 1930(1930-04-19) Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, USA
Died	July 8, 1994(1994-07-08) (aged 64) Los Angeles, California, USA
Other names	Richard Sargent
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1954–1993
Partner	Albert Williams (1986–1994)

Richard Stanford Cox (April 19, 1930 – July 8, 1994), known professionally as Dick Sargent, was an American actor, notable as the second actor to portray Darrin Stephens on the television series Bewitched. The actor took the name Dick Sargent from a Saturday Evening Post illustrator/artist of the same name.

Biography

Born Richard Stanford Cox in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, Sargent had appeared in films since his debut in Prisoner of War (1954). When Dick York was forced to leave the Bewitched series owing to health problems in 1969, Sargent stepped into the role. He had first been offered the role in 1964 before William Asher and Elizabeth Montgomery were involved but was under contract to Universal Studios and unable to accept it.^[1] His efforts were focused on the short-lived sitcom Broadside instead.^{[2] [3]} He also appeared in The Great Locomotive Chase starring Fess Parker, Operation Petticoat starring Cary Grant, and The Ghost and Mr. Chicken starring Don Knotts. Sargent played Darrin until the show ended in 1972.

Sargent continued to work in film and made numerous guest appearances on various television shows, including one episode of Three's Company, The Waltons, Charlie's Angels, Knots Landing, Family Ties and two episodes of The Dukes of Hazzard. He also portrayed himself in a 1993 Columbo episode. In the mid-1980s, he landed the steady role of Richard Preston, the widowed father, in the syndicated sitcom Down to Earth. He also appeared in the witch-themed movie Teen Witch in 1989.

Throughout the 1980s, he joined actress Sally Struthers as an advocate of the Christian Children's Fund, which brought relief to developing nations' children.

Personal life

In 1991, Sargent publicly declared his homosexuality and supported gay rights issues.^[4] He had long hidden his sexual orientation, appearing with lesbian actress Fannie Flagg on Tattletales as a couple. He lived with his domestic partner, Albert Williams, until his death in 1994.^[5]

In June 1992, Sargent was a Grand Marshal of the Los Angeles Gay Pride parade along with actress and former Bewitched co-star Elizabeth Montgomery.^[4]

Sargent died on July 8, 1994 from prostate cancer at the age of 64. His remains were cremated.^[5]

References

1. ^ "Bewitched (1964): Trivia". The Internet Movie Database. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057733/trivia. Retrieved 16 August 2011. 
2. ^ "Sargent Replaces Bewitched Costar". Los Angeles Times: p. G14. 1969-01-31. 
3. ^ Keehnen, Owen. "Interview with Dick Sargent, 1992". No More "Straight Man", Dick Sargent is Out and Proud. http://www.harpiesbizarre.com/sargent_interview.htm. Retrieved 16 August 2011. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "Elizabeth Montgomery Dies Of Cancer". Spokesman-Review. May 19, 1995. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=imJWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=u_EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5773,5832747&dq=dick-sargent+grand+marshal&hl=en. Retrieved May 16, 2011. 
5. ^ ^{a b} "Bewitched Star Sargent Dead At 64". The Bangor Daily News. July 8, 1994. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fBozAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TDgHAAAAIBAJ&pg=1545,3201933&dq=dick-sargent+albert-williams&hl=en. Retrieved 16 August 2011. 

Further reading

• Owen Keehnen: Interviews (1992). "Dick Sargent is Out and Proud". the Queer Cultural Center. http://www.queerculturalcenter.org/Pages/Keehnen/Sargent.html. Retrieved 16 August 2011. </ref>
• Linda Rapp. "Sargent, Dick (1930-1994)". glbtq. http://www.glbtq.com/arts/sargent_d.html. Retrieved 16 August 2011. </ref>

External links

Biography portal

• Dick Sargent at the Internet Movie Database
• Dick Sargent at AllRovi
• Dick Sargent at the TCM Movie Database
• Dick Sargent at Find a Grave

Persondata
Name	Sargent, Dick
Alternative names	Cox, Richard Stanford; Sargent, Richard
Short description	Actor, activist
Date of birth	April 19, 1930
Place of birth	Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Date of death	July 8, 1994
Place of death	Los Angeles, California