Actor Dick Sargent appeared on the 1970s game show “Tattle Tales” with comedian Fanny Flagg as his partner. The show quizzed celebrity couples about secrets in their relationship. But both Sargent and Flagg had secrets they wouldn’t have never revealed on the program - they were both gay.
Sargent is best known as “The Second Darrin” in the sitcom “Bewitched”, replacing Dick York at the start of the 6th season (1969). York needed to leave the show due to severe back problems.
Personally I preferred Sargent over York as Darrin. York was too crabby. While I think Sargent and co-Star Elizabeth Montgomery showed more affection to each other.
Oddly enough “Bewitched” echoed the plight of gays and lesbians who had to hide their true selves to better fit into society. And the show was no stranger to gay actors - there was campy Uncle Arthur played by Paul Lynde and even Maurice Evans, who played Samantha’s father, was been rumored to be gay.
Sargent continued to act on television after “Bewitched” ended with 50+ film and TV credits through 1993. He also developed a 5 year relationship with producer Albert Williams.
In 1989, Sargent was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and initially the prognosis was good. But later his health began to deteriorate. He knew some might think he was suffering from AIDS, so in 1991 he decided to publicly reveal he was gay on National Coming Out Day. He said he was also motivated to help present a positive role model to young gay men who struggle with their sexuality.
The next year he and close friend Elizabeth Montgomery were asked to be Grand Marshals of the Los Angeles Gay Pride parade.
Sargent succumbed to cancer in July 1994, at age 64. He was survived by his partner Williams.
