This Child Star Left Hollywood For Motherhood – At 60, She's A Mother Of 6 & A Proud Grandmother

The actress gained widespread recognition for her role in "Bewitched," where her striking blue eyes and golden blonde hair made her a beloved figure. Years later, social media users are amazed by how she remains "stunning as ever."

"Bewitched," a beloved sitcom from the 1960s, captivated audiences with the story of a witch and her mortal husband. One of the most unforgettable members of the cast was the young actress who portrayed Tabitha Stephens.

Decades after the show concluded, the actress amazed fans with her appearance at 60, showing that some stars truly never lose their sparkle. Discover how she looks today and explore her unexpected journey, which includes stepping away from Hollywood to focus on motherhood.

A Hollywood Star's Magical Rise to Fame

The captivating landscape of 1960s television brought many cherished characters to life, but few shows matched the charm and humor of "Bewitched." Amid the whimsical blend of witches and mortals, a young star swiftly won the hearts of audiences.

At only three years old, the young actress was cast as the delightful and mischievous Tabitha Stephens, appearing alongside legendary stars such as Agnes Moorehead and Elizabeth Montgomery.

During the early years of the series, she shared the role with her twin sister, but as they grew older, the character became hers alone. The young star went on to appear in more than 100 episodes, staying with "Bewitched" until the show concluded in 1972.

By the time the series ended, she had already established herself as one of Hollywood's most recognizable child actors. However, her success wasn't confined to just one show. In addition to her work on "Bewitched," she appeared in numerous commercials, including a detergent advert alongside Ronald Reagan.

Competing with other rising young stars like Jodie Foster and Helen Hunt at auditions, the child actress often stood out. However, by the time she turned eight, she stepped away from the spotlight and returned to a normal childhood in California.

Rather than pursuing roles on shows like "Fantasy Island" and "The Waltons," she chose to enjoy a typical childhood, attending Girl Scouts camp and earning a place on the cheerleading squad. As the years passed, she gradually stepped away from the entertainment industry, relocating to Orange County and only returning to Los Angeles for secure job opportunities.

"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," the actress revealed.

A New Chapter – Motherhood and Family Life

As the enchantment of her childhood stardom waned, the actress embraced a transformative new role—that of a devoted mother. This journey began with her first marriage to Terry Rogers in 1984, marking the start of a new chapter in her life.

The couple relocated to Tucson, Arizona, where she adjusted to a life far removed from Hollywood's glamour, taking on various roles, including work as a stunt double and a karaoke hostess.

During their marriage, they welcomed two sons, Jason and Grant. However, after five years, the couple divorced, prompting the actress to return to California to raise her children.

Four years after her first divorce, she married rock singer Eric Eden, and together they welcomed a son, Clark. However, their marriage was short-lived, and in 1998, they divorced, leading the actress to return once more to her California roots.

Two months after meeting Darren Dunckel in 1998, she said "I do" for the third time. Together, they welcomed three sons, and the actress embraced the role of managing a lively household with six children.

"It's a lot of fun. It's a crazy but fun lifestyle," the actress said of life with her boys. "People always ask me if I'm Mormon. I only have one sister, and I grew up thinking 'The Brady Bunch' was the greatest show, so I always did want a big family. But ideally, I always wanted one boy and one girl, so maybe if I'd had a girl in there, I might have stopped at three or sooner, but I wouldn't change anything," she added.

She has often expressed how much she cherished motherhood, consistently placing her family above any thoughts of returning to Hollywood.

Her time away from the spotlight allowed the star to focus on her children, providing them with a loving and supportive upbringing—just as her mother had done for her during her childhood.

"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 revealed. However, the "Bewitched" star remained active over the years, dedicating herself to meaningful charity work and becoming a passionate advocate for autism awareness after her son's diagnosis.

"I was involved with autism charities before Parker was born and then obviously once he was diagnosed, I put that as my focus. I go to board meetings [and] I volunteer. I speak at events. I think it's important to be there for other parents who have questions," the "Bewitched" star said.

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."

As for her six children showing signs of 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 none other than Erin Murphy, the former child star who charmed audiences as Tabitha Stephens on "Bewitched." Now 60, Murphy still captivates the public with her enduring charm and grace.

In September, she marked the 60th anniversary of the beloved series on X, formerly known as Twitter, writing, "Want to feel old? 'Bewitched' premiered 60 years ago today, September 17, 1964. AND little Tabitha (Me!) is 60 years old!"

In late October, she shared a stunning photo of herself on Instagram, drawing a wave of admiration as social media users marveled at her timeless beauty.

"Still stunning as ever 🔥🔥🔥," one person commented, while another wrote, "Gorgeous." A third echoed the sentiment, saying, "Absolutely gorgeous!!"

Today, Murphy is a mother of six and a proud grandmother. When asked if her grandchildren watch "Bewitched," the actress 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."

To celebrate her grandson Liam's birthday, Murphy shared a heartfelt photo collage on Instagram, showcasing cherished moments from his life.

In the caption, she expressed her love by noting that his smile "brightens any room" and shared a touching compliment she once received—that she is "the nicest person" Liam knows. The actress also conveyed her excitement for "a lifetime of fun adventures" and ended with a heartfelt message: "I love you to the moon and back. ❤️"

In June, Murphy shared the exciting news that her family was expanding, announcing on social media that another grandchild was on the way. She posted photos from the baby shower, capturing joyful moments with family members gathered in celebration.

She captioned, "What a wonderful day surrounded by family and love. So excited for our newest family member," adding that family competitiveness was on display as they played games.

By October, the family welcomed their newest addition, and Murphy shared a sweet photo of herself feeding her newborn granddaughter, with the baby's face playfully covered by an emoji.

Alongside the photo, 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 evident that the actress is embracing her role as a grandmother with immense joy and pride.

A devoted mother through and through, she often jokes that "Labor Day" feels like her "own personal holiday" after raising six children. However, in recent days, she has encountered some challenges.

Murphy's Update Amidst the Los Angeles Wildfires

On January 10, 2025, she uploaded a picture of herself sitting in a car and a video showing cars and fire engines parked on the side of the road in Malibu, California. She revealed how she was at a loss for words for what has been happening with the Los Angeles wildfires that started days before.

The Malibu resident shared that she, her family, and her pets were safe, however, she evacuated voluntarily due to no WiFi, electricity, and phone service. She noted how "overwhelming" the destruction is and that many of her friends who live in Pacific Palisades, Altadena/Pasadena, and Malibu lot everything.

Erin Murphy shared how the two biggest fires hadn't been contained with more popping up everywhere with evacuation alerts being delivered to residents' phones. She added, "There are 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM curfews in place to help prevent looters."

Luckily, there are evacuation centers set up in her area since hotels are at capacity. She called the first responders and firefighters "true heroes," noting how their Malibu command station is at Zuma Beach.

The actress concluded, "They've setup the enormous parking lot with fire trucks, portable trailers for them to sleep in and mobile kitchens. I was there yesterday and saw crews from many other states.Thank you all for your prayers. [sic]"

The following day, she returned with another car selfie and an update. The star revealed that she was almost evacuated from the place she'd gone for shelter. However, firefighters worked throughout the night, holding off the blaze.

Murphy added, "I'm spending today with my youngest granddaughter and I'll be spending tonight helping one of my kids move into their new place.❤️One day at a time."

According to a recent update, the Los Angeles wildfires have burnt down whole neighborhoods, killing 27 people, and forcing others to evacuate. Two of the biggest fires have been ranked as the most destructive and deadliest in California's history.

The city is covered in orange skies thick with smoke, while landmarks are ashes. Vulnerable residents who are used to wildfires aren't accustomed to experiencing this level of destruction.

Reports say the largest raging wildfire is the one along the Pacific Coast west of downtown in the Palisades. According to Cal Fire, since January 19, the blaze has burnt down over 23,700 acres with 52 percent contained.

People from the Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Malibu, and those along the Pacific Coast Highway were forced to evacuate.