Hollywood to Home: How a Child Star Found Joy in Motherhood and Grandmotherhood

This actress, known for her role in Bewitched and her iconic blue eyes and blonde hair, continues to amaze fans on social media with her timeless beauty, looking as stunning as ever even decades later.

Bewitched was a beloved 1960s sitcom that followed the humorous and magical life of a witch and her mortal husband. One of its standout stars was the child actress who played Tabitha Stephens, a character cherished by fans.

Decades after Bewitched ended, the actress who played Tabitha Stephens amazed fans with her radiant appearance at 60, showing that her charm hasn’t faded. Discover how she looks now and explore her remarkable journey, including stepping away from Hollywood to embrace motherhood.

The Spellbinding Rise of a Hollywood Icon

The captivating world of 1960s television brought many unforgettable characters, but Bewitched stood out for its unique blend of charm and humor. Amid the magical chaos of witches and mortals, a young star stole the spotlight and won viewers’ hearts.

At only three years old, the young actress took on the role of the delightful and mischievous Tabitha Stephens in Bewitched, acting alongside icons such as Elizabeth Montgomery and Agnes Moorehead.

In the early seasons of Bewitched, she shared the role of Tabitha Stephens with her twin sister. However, as they grew older, the role became exclusively hers. The young star appeared in over 100 episodes, staying with the show until its conclusion in 1972.

By the end of Bewitched, she was already one of Hollywood’s most famous child actors. Her talents extended beyond the show, as she appeared in numerous commercials, including a notable detergent ad alongside Ronald Reagan.

The child actress often outshone peers like Helen Hunt and Jodie Foster at auditions, showcasing her remarkable talent. However, by the age of 8, she chose to step away from the spotlight and returned to a normal life in California.

Rather than joining the casts of The Waltons and Fantasy Island, she embraced a more typical childhood, attending Girl Scouts camp and joining the cheerleading squad. Gradually distancing herself from the entertainment industry, she moved to Orange County, only returning to Los Angeles for guaranteed work

The actress reflected on her decision to step away from acting, saying, “It wasn’t difficult for me. I continued acting and actually turned down jobs. I had a pretty easy transition away from it. I think a lot of it is in some ways I walked away from the business before maybe the business kicked me out.”

A New Chapter – Motherhood and Family Life
As her days as a child star faded, the actress embraced a new, equally transformative role: that of a devoted mother. Her first marriage to Terry Rogers in 1984 marked the start of this new chapter in her life.

The couple relocated to Tucson, Arizona, where the actress adjusted to a life away from Hollywood’s glamour. She took on various roles, including working as a stunt double and a karaoke hostess. During their marriage, they had two sons, Jason and Grant, but after five years, they divorced. Following the separation, the actress returned to California to raise her children.

Four years after her first divorce, the actress married rock musician Eric Eden, and they had a son, Clark. However, their marriage ended in 1998, leading her to return once again to her California roots.

In 1998, just two months after meeting Darren Dunckel, the actress married for the third time. Together, they had three sons, and she found herself managing a lively household with a total of six children.

The actress described her life with her boys as “a lot of fun” and “a crazy but fun lifestyle.” She shared that people often asked if she was Mormon due to her large family. Growing up with just one sister and thinking The Brady Bunch was the greatest show, she had always wanted a big family. While she originally envisioned having one boy and one girl, she admitted that if she had a daughter, she might have stopped at three children—but she wouldn’t change anything.

The actress has often expressed how much she cherished motherhood, emphasizing that family always took priority over any potential return to Hollywood.

Her time away from Hollywood allowed her to be present for her children, ensuring they were raised in a loving and supportive environment, similar to the one her mother had provided during her own childhood.

The actress revealed that while scripts were constantly sent to her, she hadn’t found anything compelling enough to pull her away for 12-hour workdays. However, she stayed active over the years, dedicating herself to charity work and becoming a strong advocate for autism awareness, motivated by her son’s diagnosis.

The Bewitched star shared that she had been involved with autism charities even before her son Parker was born. After his diagnosis, she made it her primary focus, attending board meetings, volunteering, and speaking at events. She emphasized the importance of supporting other parents who have questions, offering her time and experiences to help.

She added, “I’ve always volunteered. I have a strong belief that you need to give back. I’m really lucky for the life I have and the opportunities I’ve had.”

When asked about her six children potentially following in her famous footsteps, the actress admitted, “So far no. […] I always said that if any of my kids were interested, I would encourage and help them and guide them. But no one ever showed an interest, so I kind of think parents should support whatever their kid’s passion is.”

A Bewitching Beauty at 60
This beloved actress is Erin Murphy, the former child star who portrayed Tabitha Stephens on Bewitched. Now at 60, Murphy still captivates the public with her timeless charm.

In September, Erin Murphy marked the 60th anniversary of Bewitched on X (formerly Twitter), sharing, “Want to feel old? Bewitched premiered 60 years ago today, September 17, 1964. AND little Tabitha (Me!) is 60 years old!”

In late October, Erin Murphy shared a stunning photo of herself on Instagram, prompting a wave of admiration from social media users who marveled at her timeless beauty.

“Still stunning as ever 🔥🔥🔥,” one person commented. Another wrote, “Gorgeous,” while a third echoed the sentiment, saying, “Absolutely gorgeous!!”

Today, Erin Murphy is a mother of six and a proud grandmother. When asked if her grandchildren watch Bewitched, she revealed, “You know what’s funny? Not a lot. I feel weird. I’ve always felt like it’s a little self-centered to sit down and watch yourself.”

However, she added, “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.”

Murphy recently celebrated her grandson Liam’s birthday by sharing a photo collage on Instagram, featuring cherished moments from his life.

In the caption, Murphy expressed her love for Liam, saying his smile “brightens any room” and shared a heartwarming compliment she received: that she’s “the nicest person” Liam knows. She also mentioned her excitement for “a lifetime of fun adventures” and ended with, “I love you to the moon and back. ❤️”

In June, Murphy shared the exciting news that her family would be growing, revealing on social media that another grandchild was on the way. She posted photos from the baby shower, capturing moments of family members coming together to celebrate. In the caption, she wrote, “What a wonderful day surrounded by family and love. So excited for our newest family member,” and added that family competitiveness was on full display as they played games.

By October, Murphy’s family welcomed the new addition, and she shared a photo of herself feeding her newborn granddaughter, with the baby’s face covered by an emoji. In the caption, she wrote, “For the last 2 weeks, I’ve been keeping the most wonderful secret! I have a brand new granddaughter! Welcome to the family, Sage. You’re SO loved and we’re going to have so many wonderful adventures. ❤️”

It’s clear that Murphy is embracing her role as a grandmother with immense joy and pride. Ever the devoted mom, she even jokes that “Labor Day” is her “own personal holiday” after raising six children!

Erin Murphy’s journey, from beloved child star to devoted mother and now grandmother, weaves a beautiful tapestry filled with family, laughter, and love—far beyond the Hollywood spotlight.

Though she left acting behind, Erin Murphy’s legacy as little Tabitha Stephens remains timeless, a cherished icon that fans continue to adore. Now at 60, Murphy’s charm shines as brightly as ever, proving that while the roles may change, her star power is truly forever.