This Child Star Left Hollywood For Motherhood – At 60, She’s A Mother Of 6 & A Proud Grandmother
This actress gained notoriety for her performance in “Bewitched,” where her blond hair and large blue eyes made her a charming character. She still appears “stunning as ever” decades later, which astounds social media users today.
In the 1960s, the classic comedy “Bewitched” captivated audiences by chronicling the lives of a witch and her mortal spouse. The young star who played Tabitha Stephens was one of the most memorable members of the cast.
The actress proved that some stars never fade when she shocked her admirers by showing up at 60 years old, years after the program finished. Check out her current appearance and her unexpected life story, which includes quitting Hollywood to become a mother.
The Amazing Ascent to Stardom of a Hollywood Star
Numerous adored characters were presented by the magical world of television in the 1960s, but “Bewitched” was one program that particularly stood out for its humor and charm. A youthful celebrity soon won over the hearts of onlookers among the magical antics of witches and humans.
The Hollywood actress, who shared the screen with such icons as Elizabeth Montgomery and Agnes Moorehead, was cast as the endearing and naughty Tabitha Stephens at the age of three.
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She played the role alongside her twin sister for the first portion of the series, but as the two got older, the character became exclusively hers. The Hollywood celebrity remained with “Bewitched” until its conclusion in 1972, appearing in more than 100 episodes.
She was already one of the most well-known child actors in Hollywood by the end of the series. She didn’t confine herself to a single show in spite of her success. In addition to “Bewitched,” she contributed to a number of ads, such as a detergent commercial with Ronald Reagan.
At auditions, the child actress routinely outperformed other young stars like Jodie Foster and Helen Hunt. The actress, however, resumed her life as a typical California child when she turned eight.
Rather than becoming a member of the cast of “The Waltons” and “Fantasy Island,” she joined the cheerleading team and had a great time at Girl Scout camp. She eventually separated from the company, relocating to Orange County and only going back to Los Angeles after she had a job guarantee.
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“I didn’t find it challenging. I genuinely declined jobs and kept acting. Moving away from that was not too difficult for me. I believe a lot of it stems from the fact that I left the company before it may have fired me,” the actress disclosed.
A New Chapter: Family Life and Motherhood
The actress accepted a new role that would be as transformative when her child star days waned: that of a loving mother. This chapter began in 1984 with her first marriage to Terry Rogers.
She adjusted to a life away from the glamour of Hollywood once they relocated to Tucson, Arizona, where she worked as a karaoke hostess and stunt double, among other occupations.
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They had two kids, Jason and Grant, during their marriage, but they separated after five years. The actress returned to California to raise her boys as a result of this shift.
She married rock musician Eric Eden four years after her first divorce, and the two of them had a son named Clark. But their romance didn’t endure, and they got divorced in 1998, which led the actress to go back to her California roots.
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Two months after they first met in 1998, she later said “I do” to Darren Dunckel for the third time. The actress found herself taking care of a busy home of six kids after they welcomed three sons together.
It’s a lot of fun. The actress described her life with her boys as “a crazy but fun lifestyle.” “I’m frequently asked if I’m Mormon. I always wanted a large family because I only have one sister and I grew up believing that “The Brady Bunch” was the best television program. However, I always wanted a boy and a girl, so maybe I would have stopped at three or earlier if there had been a girl, but I wouldn’t change a thing,” she continued.
She has often talked about how much she loved being a mother and put her family above any chance to work in Hollywood again.
She was able to be there for her kids throughout her break, making sure they grew up in a nurturing environment similar to the one her mother had established when the actress was a child.
“Scripts are sent to me all the time, and I haven’t seen anything good enough to have me gone for 12 hours a day,” she said. The “Bewitched” actor did, however, maintain a busy schedule throughout time. After her son was diagnosed, the actress became a champion for autism awareness and took on a lot of charitable work.
Prior to Parker’s birth, I was active with autism charities, and after he was diagnosed, I naturally turned my attention to that. I volunteer and attend board meetings. I give speeches at gatherings. Being available for other parents who have questions is vital, in my opinion,” the “Bewitched” actor stated.
“I’ve always volunteered,” she continued. I really believe that you must return the favor. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have the life and opportunities that I have.
The actress acknowledged that none of her six children were yet to show any symptoms of following in her well-known footsteps. […] I always promised to support, assist, and mentor any of my children who showed interest. However, nobody ever shown interest, thus I believe parents should encourage their children’s passions.”
A Charming Beauty at Sixty
Erin Murphy is the adored actress who played Tabitha Stephens on “Bewitched.” Murphy was formerly a kid star. Murphy is 60 years old and still enthralls people.
She commemorated the legendary series’ 60th anniversary in September on X, formerly Twitter, by posting, “Want to feel old? Today, September 17, 1964, marks the 60th anniversary of the debut of “Bewitched.” In addition, I, little Tabitha, am sixty years old.
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She posted a breathtaking photo of herself on Instagram in late October, which sparked a wave of praise as others on the platform gasped at her beauty.
“Still stunning as ever 🔥🔥🔥,” someone wrote. Someone else typed “Gorgeous.” In agreement, a third said, “Absolutely gorgeous!!”
Murphy is now a proud grandmother and mother to six children. According to the actress, when asked if her grandchildren watched “Bewitched,” “You know what’s funny? Not very much. I feel strange. Sitting down to observe oneself has always seemed a bit self-centered to me.
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But I’ll let them watch if it happens to be on,” she continued. I decided to put it on when I had two of my grandchildren stay with me for the summer last year. Additionally, they adored it.
Murphy recently posted a collage of pictures from her grandson Liam’s life on Instagram to commemorate his birthday.
The message conveyed her affection, stating that his smile “brightens any room” and included a heartfelt remark she received: she’s “the nicest person” Liam knows. She concluded by saying, “I love you to the moon and back. ❤️” and expressed her excitement for “a lifetime of fun adventures.”
Murphy revealed on social media that she was expecting another grandchild in June, marking the expansion of her family. She shared pictures of family members celebrating at the baby shower on social media.
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“What a wonderful day surrounded by family and love,” she said as the caption. I’m really happy for our newest family member,” she said, adding that when they played games, family rivalry was evident.
Murphy posted a picture of herself feeding her baby granddaughter, whose face was covered in emojis, after the family welcomed the new member in October.
She commented, “I’ve been keeping the most amazing secret for the past two weeks,” next to the picture. My grandchild has just arrived! Sage, welcome to the family. We will have a ton of amazing adventures together, and you are incredibly loved. “❤️”
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Murphy is obviously enjoying and taking pride in her role as a grandmother. After having six kids, she even jokes that “Labor Day” is her “own personal holiday” because she is such a dedicated mother!
Beyond the Hollywood spotlight, Erin Murphy’s path from adored child star to dedicated mother and now grandmother creates a lovely tapestry full of love, humor, and family.
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Even though she stopped performing, her reputation as young Tabitha Stephens endures, and her admirers still revere her as a beloved icon. Murphy is 60 years old now, yet her charm is still as strong as ever, demonstrating that even though her roles may vary, her star power never goes away.
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