If you grew up watching television in the 1960s and 1970s, you may recall seeing a few episodes of Bewitched. The charming sitcom was a major hit, winning a slew of prizes along the way.
Diane and Erin Murphy played twins Diane and Erin Murphy, who played Tabitha, one of the show’s most iconic characters.
So, how are the two sisters spending their day today?
Children’s actors and actresses have always wowed me. Performing is a demanding career that takes a great deal of ability, patience, and talent, and it may be particularly difficult for a youngster.
However, we’ve seen a lot of kids grow up to be true stars throughout the years. In that sense, Diane and Erin Murphy are two of the most prominent and promising young actors.
The tale of a witch marrying a regular mortal guy and swearing to live as a housewife in a conventional suburb was a huge hit.
Tabitha Stephens in Bewitched
Few could have predicted that Bewitched, the famous and highly lauded comedic fantasy series, would become one of the most successful shows on television when it premiered on September 17, 1964.
Sol Saks, the show’s creator, has stated that his pilot episode writing was influenced by the films I Married a Witch and Bell, Book and Candle.
Bewitched, which aired on ABC, went on to win a number of Emmys and had its cast nominated for a number of Golden Globes. It also went on to become one of the network’s longest-running sitcoms.
Samantha, a magically gifted and attractive woman, was portrayed by Elizabeth Montgomery in the famous 1960s sitcom. But there was one figure who would grow in popularity and, on multiple instances, completely steal the show.
As you might expect, the persona was Tabitha Stephens, Samantha and Darrin’s oldest daughter. Her superpowers astounded everyone, and she was incredibly attractive!
In an 1967 interview, Elizabeth admitted it was her idea to name the girl character Tabitha.
“I loved it, because it was so old-fashioned,” she said in an interview, according to the Bewitched: History Book – 50th Anniversary Edition.
“I got it from one of the daughters of Edward Andrews, the actor. The two Andrews girls are named Tabitha and Abigail. … But, somehow or other, her name came out ‘Tabatha’ on the credit roll, and that’s the way it’s been ever since. Honestly, I shudder every time I see it. It’s like a squeaky piece of chalk scratching on my nerves.”
Erin and Diane Murphy
Tabitha, the couple’s daughter, endeared herself to the audience. But did you know that over the first four seasons, Tabitha was played by two sisters and three different twin couples?
Erin Murphy and her twin sister Diane, who played the same role, were instant hits.
And now they’ve both reached adulthood!
On June 17, 1964, Diane and Erin Murphy were born in Encino, California.
Diane was born five minutes before her twin sister Erin, making them fraternal twin sisters. Diane and Erin were not identical since they were fraternal twins. When they were you, though, they could easily pass for one another.
Stephanie, their mother, opted to leave her teaching career to be a full-time mother to her two newborn children. Meanwhile, their father, Dan Murphy, was the owner of Murphy’s College, a business school in Los Angeles.
Tabitha’s section should be split.
Erin would go on to play Tabitha in Bewitched, and she made her first appearance on the program not long after.
“Bewitched’ was doing this huge casting call,” Erin Murphy told Fox in 2017.
“They had previously shown it in black and white, so the big push of the third season was that the show was going to color and that they were going to focus more on the character of Tabitha. So they were looking for someone who looked like Elizabeth Montgomery and wasn’t afraid of the lights. I auditioned with my fraternal twin sister Diane and we got the part.”
Erin was not the only one who got involved. Due to child labor restrictions, which stipulated that a kid may only work a specific number of hours each day, Tabitha’s sister Diane also played the role of Tabitha.
On the third and fourth seasons, they both played the part, which proved to be a huge hit.
In season 4, however, Erin took over the position full-time when the girls’ appearances began to diverge. Diane’s stint on the popular comedy had come to an end. But, when asked about her feelings about being cut off the program, she said she wasn’t too disappointed.
Tabitha Stephens – Erin Murphy
“I loved working on Bewitched, and it gave me some very unique and wonderful experiences, but eventually, I wanted to lead a more regular life. So I quit the entertainment business when I was thirteen years old.”
Being on the program meant Erin spent a lot of time with the other actors and actresses. She got close to Montgomery, and the two remained in touch until Elizabeth died of colorectal cancer in May 1995, at the age of 62.
“A lot of people who knew Liz well and knew me told me how much I’m like her,” Murphy told ABC.
“And I think it’s because we spent 12 hours a day together growing up. I looked to her as a parent, and she would tell me what to do like a parent. In a lot of ways I’m so much like her than I am my own mom, which is hilarious.”
Even though she enjoyed being in the spotlight on set, Agnes Morehead’s dressing room was her favorite destination. Endora, Samantha’s mother, was played by Morehead. She died at the age of 73 in 1974.
“She was probably my favorite person on the show in retrospect,” Murphy said.
“I loved her like a grandparent. I had grandparents who lived in other states I didn’t get to see and she didn’t have grandchildren, and we had a really great, loving relationship. She’d do little things like draw little cartoons for me in between scenes. She’d tell me stories. I loved going into her dressing room because everything was purple. I just thought she was the most colorful, most beautiful person.”
Tabitha Stephens today
According to IMDB, Erin was recognized on 102 episodes of Bewitched throughout her six seasons on the program. Her sister Diane returned to the program afterwards, albeit only in tiny roles as various characters.
So, after her popularity as the miraculous child, what did Erin Murphy do?
She started off doing commercials and modeling work. According to ABC, she also auditioned for projects alongside other child performers Jodie Foster and Helen Hunt.
She had a brief role in Lassie in 1973 and went on to appear in other TV shows and short films. She reprised her role as Tabitha in the comedic short TV Therapy in 2019.
Erin went on to become a popular TV personality and journalist as she got older. She’s also worked as a motivational speaker for a number of charities in recent years.
Erin has also established herself as a company owner. Erin Murphy Knits sells her hand-knit alpaca sweaters. She also runs Slim Chillers, a frozen vodka martini ice pops brand that is presently selling all over the world.
Living in California
“I never really thought I would wind up in the alcohol business, but I have enjoyed a few good martinis in my life,” Murphy said in 2014.
She is now 58 years old and the mother of six boys ranging in age from 17 to 35. She’s been married three times and currently resides in Los Angeles. People still come up to Erin and compliment her on her outstanding performance as Tabitha in Bewitched.
“Any moment that someone comes up to you just to say they liked you on a TV show, that’s flattering,” she told Fox.
“I think it’s very kind and I’m very open to posing for pictures, meeting fans and answering questions about ‘Bewitched.’ I’m thankful that people appreciate what I did. I think it’s awesome.”
Meanwhile, Diane is based in Santa Barbara, California. She appeared in a few ads before quitting the entertainment industry, including one with Henry Fonda.
The now 56-year-old graduated from the University of California with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology and a master’s degree in management from Golden Gate University.
