'Bewitched' star was 'financially distressed' and had to clean toilets after on-set injury, according to the author.

Despite gaining fame as Darrin Stephens in "Bewitched," Dick York struggled with financial and physical hardship in the years following the show's airing.

In 1992, at the age of 63, the actor, who was still known as the husband of a witch with a twitching nose, passed away.

A new independent documentary by Daniel Henares examines the sitcom's legacy and why York abandoned the role he cherished, according to People magazine.

According to Herbie J Pilato, author of "The Essential Elizabeth Montgomery" and "Twitch Upon a Star," York's final years out of the public eye were challenging.

"Dick York was both financially and physically destitute, as he explained. He had run out of money and his career had declined. He was in poor health and there were no more acting opportunities. It was difficult to witness."

"Later, after starting as a mere admirer, I became his friend. Seeing him in such a pitiful state, he was determined to maintain a positive outlook, but he also knew he had to earn a living. As a result, he resorted to cleaning apartments to make ends meet," Pilato revealed.

"He transitioned from a renowned TV star to a toilet cleaner. Despite the humility of his new job, he felt that it was undeserved."

In 1959, while filming the Western movie "They Came to Cordura," York and other actors encountered difficulties lifting a railroad handcar during a scene on the second to last day of shooting, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

Dick York, the star of "Bewitched," was financially destitute after an injury.

Despite the director's command to "cut," York remained in place. According to the outlet, the car landed on him, causing his spine to be twisted and tearing the surrounding muscles.

York didn't seek medical attention for his pain and instead worked through it for years. As a result, the discs in his spine slowly crumbled and he became hunched. He also shrunk from more than 6-foot-1 to 5-foot-10 or so.

In 1964, when "Bewitched" first aired, York was dependent on painkillers. He consumed large quantities of sleeping pills, cortisone, and other medications to relieve the unbearable pain he suffered.

""Darren's absence from 'Bewitched' caused the show to lose its main conflict, as he missed 14 episodes," Pilato stated."

"Yes, Dick York was financially and physically destitute. He just did not have the money anymore. His career had dried up. He was in very poor health. There were no more calls for acting. It was tough to watch." — Herbie J Pilato, author

In 1969, York's Hollywood career ended abruptly when he collapsed and passed out from pain while filming an episode of "Bewitched." People magazine reported that York suffered an epileptic seizure while unconscious, which led him to be rushed to the hospital.

Dick Sargent replaced York as the star of "Bewitched."

""Pilato stated that they had no choice but to replace him as he felt terrible about it and did not want to harm the opportunity for the series' team members," said Pilato."

"He didn't want the show to end, but he gave in and left because he didn't want them to lose their jobs. However, he told me that if he had that summer of 1969 to fully recover, he would have been able to finish the show."

York later admitted it was "the worst day of my life."

Devastated that he had to leave the series and be out of work, Pilato, knowing the good person he was, felt it was only natural.

"He was overwhelmed with sadness for everyone affected. He knew he was causing chaos. "What will happen now?" "What will become of the show?" "Will it end because of me?" "Will someone else's arrival ruin it?" These thoughts consumed him."

Sargent was initially rejected for the role of Darrin in "Bewitched," but when York left the show, Sargent was chosen to replace him.

"According to Pilato, Dick Sargent and Dick York were friends. Sargent contacted York and inquired about playing a part, expressing concern about any potential hurt feelings. York, being a kind-hearted individual, responded by encouraging Sargent to take the opportunity and have his blessing."

After leaving "Bewitched," York spent 18 months in bed under the influence of drugs. He later quit cold turkey and lived with his mother to protect his five children.

He only worked a few times in Hollywood after that," said Pilato. "He did 'Fantasy Island,' an episode of 'Simon & Simon,' a TV movie called 'High School U.S.A.,' and that was it.

"Unfortunately, he had to take cleaning jobs because he didn't have any work and money. However, he wouldn't reveal this to you because he didn't want to put out that kind of energy. That's the kind of guy he was."

The star formed a nonprofit organization called Acting for Life, with the goal of assisting the homeless and those in need, and transformed his pain into a purposeful endeavor.

"According to Pilato, he was a very spiritual individual, which likely contributed to his close relationship with Agnes Moorehead, who was the daughter of a Methodist minister and also very spiritual. They frequently engaged in profound discussions about religion and the essence of life."

"As a human being, Pilato felt it natural to establish a nonprofit organization that feeds the homeless. He knew his acting career had ended, so he redirected his energy into the nonprofit."

Bill Asher, the director of "Bewitched," attempted to aid York financially, but the actor declined.

"According to Pilato, he wanted to give Dick York money to help him in any way possible, not just for Acting for Life, but for his life. However, Dick said, "Don't worry about me." Pilato believed that Dick should have taken the money from Bill Asher, who was providing major funding to help him get out of his situation. But Dick refused the help."

York, who was struggling with emphysema, would spend hours on the phone seeking assistance for those in need of food and clothing before his death. Pilato visited him at his small cottage in Michigan prior to his passing.

Pilato remembered seeing Darrin, who still had the little cottage he owned before 'Bewitched,' connected to an oxygen machine due to emphysema. The image of Darrin, who was so ill, broke his heart. The loss of Darrin was magnified because of his illness.

"Despite his own illness, compounded by emphysema, Dick York was establishing Acting for Life. He had nothing himself, yet he was making phone calls to try and get money for homeless people who were even worse off than him."

Pilato said he still vividly remembers watching "Bewitched" alongside York.

Pilato remembered the joyful memory as "It was just a happy memory for him," he said. "It was, ‘There’s David!’ Or, ‘There’s Aggie!’ There was so much love. There was no bitterness in him at all. The only thing he wanted to make clear was that he always felt that Darrin was too harsh on Samantha. . . . He saw ‘The Witch’ as a love story."

"The character didn't want Samantha to perform magic because he wanted her to himself, not because he wanted to take away her heritage or identity."

Today, Pilato hopes people will see a different side of York.

"Dick York was a phenomenal actor who could do anything, but he does not have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame."

""Dick York deserves a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame," Pilato mused."