Liz Montgomery Was "Furious" 'Bewitched' Co-Star David White Lost Son in 1988 Pan-Am/Lockerbie Crash

Photo bylistal.com

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, quotes and commentary in this article are from interviews conducted by the author with those mentioned.]

Overview

The multi-Emmy-nominated actress and political advocate Elizabeth Montgomery (who died of cancer in 1981) was upset upon learning that Jonathan White, the son of her Bewitched co-star David White (who died of a heart attack in 1990), had perished in the horrific Pan-Am incident over Lockerbie in 1988.

Fantasy vs. Reality

On the classic TV sitcom Bewitched (ABC, 1964-1972), Elizabeth Montgomery portrayed the magical Samantha Stephens who could conjure up whatever she wanted with the twitch of her nose.

Samantha was married to mortal advertising executive Darrin Stephens, first played by Dick York (who died of emphesema in 1992), then Dick Sargent (who died of prostate cancer in 1994). Darrin's self-absorbed ad-man boss Larry Tate was played by David White. Montgomery and White had worked together before in The Untouchables TV episode, "The Rusty Heller Story" (for which she was Emmy-nominated).

For years after Bewitched, Montgomery and White had remained friends.

"Bewitched" stars Elizabeth Montgomery and David White had previously worked together on an episode of "The Untouchables."Photo byPinterest.com

Daddy-Daughter Issues

As the liberal-minded daughter of the conservative-geared actor Robert Montgomery, Elizabeth Montgomery was politically active and enjoyed stirring the pot, particularly when it came to her father. The two had a love-not-like relationship and for one, were on opposite sides of the political spectrum, as she campaigned for Democratic candidates and championed social causes.

The Montgomerys frequently clashed over politics, particurly because he was friends with the equally-mined conservative Republican Ronald Reagan.

As such, the father Montgomery, who died of cancer in 1981, would most likely not have approved of his daughter's narration of two controversial documentaries that were critical of President Ronald Reagan's administration: Cover Up: Behind the Iran-Contra Affair (1988), and The Panama Deception (1992). Both films were directed by Barbara Trent, and written and edited by David Kasper.

Elizabeth Montgomery and her father Robert Montgomery did not always see eye to eye.Photo byfanpop.com

A Bewitched Reunion in Beverly Hills Became Tainted

In the spring of 1989, Elizabeth Montgomery and David White reunited for a luncheon meeting at her home in Beverly Hills. That's when she learned he had lost his only son Jonathan in the horrific Pan-Am incident over Lockerbie a few monthsr before, on December 21, 1988.

Upon futher learning White received a letter of condolence from then-President Reagan, Montgomery was "furious." Both she and White, who was also liberal-minded, resented the letter, which was framed and formatted in glass.

"As if that was enough to compensate for the loss of my son," said White, who had known Reagan from years before when they were both young actors.

Never one to mince words, Montgomery agreed. "Exactly," she said. "How dare he [Reagan] send such a thing. I am simply livid."

Elizabeth Montgomery and David White in one of the last episodes of "Bewitched," from the show's final season (1971-1972).Photo byPinterest.com

More About Jonathan White

Jonathan White was returning home from his first European vacation and was looking forward to starting a new accounting job with Coopers and Lybrand in January 1989. His six-week journey included a tour of France, Holland, England, and Germany.

David White said his son had been "terribly excited" about the trip, passing the CPA exam, and his upcoming new position. "Everything was wonderful for him," White added.

A widower for 30 years, David had raised Jonathan and his sister Alexandra as a single father. Standing outside his North Hollywood home, David said, "They killed this wonderful son of mine. I'm as angry as hell."

Jonathan White, son of actor David White.Photo byPan Am Lockerbie Legacy Foundation

Beyond Bewitched and This World

Hopefully, now, somewhere beyond this world, Elizabeth Montgomery and her father Robert Montgomery, and David White and his son Jonathan White have found a measure of peace with each other, and Ronald Reagan.