Agnes Robertson Moorehead (December 6, 1900 – April 30, 1974) was an Emmy and Golden Globe award winning American character actress.
Although she appeared in more than 70 films and on dozens of television shows during a career that spanned more than 30 years, Moorehead is probably most widely known to modern audiences for her role as the witch Endora in the television series Bewitched. While rarely playing leads in films, Moorehead's skill at character development and range earned her one Emmy, and two Golden Globe awards in addition to four Oscar and six Emmy nominations. Moorehead's transition to television won acclaim and accolades for her work in drama and in comedy. She could play many different character types, but often portrayed haughty, arrogant characters.
She was one of the cast members of the ill fated film Conqueror, The (1956), which was filmed in 1954 in the Nevada desert close by to where the government was doing nuclear testing. In later years those tests were suspected to have caused the cancer deaths of several of the films stars including John Wayne (I), Dick Powell (I), Susan Hayward (I) and Pedro Armendáriz.
Interred at Dayton Memorial Park in Dayton, Ohio.
Agnes Morehead's limousine is on display at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Attended Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. The same college that produced astronaut John Glenn (III).
Entered New York's Academy of Dramatic Arts, studying alongside Rosalind Russell.
Did graduate work at the University of Wisconsin.
Taught in Reedsburg's central high school, and directed plays for the school dramatic club.
Taught school and coached oratory in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, which team won numerous contests.
Daughter of Reedsburg, Wisconsin's Presbyterian minister, Dr. John H. Moorehead.
Favorite color was purple - she was so fond of the color friends called her the "lavender lady."
Portrayed the first Margot Lane on Mutual Radio's "The Shadow" (1937-1939).
She was an alumna of Duluth Central High School in Duluth, Minnesota.
Adopted son Sean with first husband Jack G. Lee.
Initially turned down the role of "Endora" in "Bewitched" (1964), but reconsidered when Elizabeth Montgomery (I) asked her in person, when they met in a department store. Moorehead joined the cast not expecting the show to last more than one season - let alone become a long-running hit.
First woman to co-host the Academy Awards (with Dick Powell (I)) in 1948.
On the first season of filming "Bewitched" (1964), she didn't like aspects of the script, but felt she couldn't complain to director William Asher (I) because he was Elizabeth Montgomery (I)'s husband (at the time).
Did not enjoy filming "Bewitched" (1964), since it forced her to get up at 4:45 AM, start makeup at 6 AM, and continue filming often until 8 PM.
In Italy, she was often dubbed by Wanda Tettoni, Giovanna Scotto or Franca Dominici. Occasionally, she was dubbed by Tina Lattanzi, Rina Morelli or by Dhia Cristiani.
Although her death was long reported as being from lung cancer, this is not true because the cancer started in her uterus and spread to her lungs. It should be noted however that Moorehead was a heavy smoker, which may still have caused her death.