Skip to main content

To this day, Melissa Joan Hart is still fondly remembered as Sabrina from the ABC sitcom that began premiering in 1996. Sabrina the Teenage Witch revolved around Hart who played a teenager learning to navigate high school as well as witchcraft.

Sabrina lived with her two comical aunts who were cast by Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick. Aunt Zelda and Aunt Hilda quickly became fan-favorites, but no character or role could ever quite compare to Salem the cat. Salem was considered a staple of the television show, but fans and viewers of Sabrina the Teenage Witch may still be surprised to learn that he actually wrote 12 episodes of the series. 

The story behind Salem the cat in ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’

On Sabrina the Teenage Witch Salem was known for his sassy attitude, sarcasm, and dramatic antics. However, throughout the show’s seven seasons he proved to be a very good friend to Sabrina and was often able to help her out of a pickle or two. It didn’t take viewers and audiences very long to fall in love with the witty cat. However, some fans of Sabrina the Teenage Witch may be surprised to learn just how Salem ended up as Sabrina’s BFF. 

CBR has recapped the details behind the notorious black cat’s existence. For starters, his full name is actually Salem Saberhagen, and he was incredibly old. Before Salem was a cat, he was a witch looking to take over and reign. When the Council of Witches found out, his magical powers were removed and Salem was sentenced to living the next 100 years as a cat. 

Hilda Spellman, Sabrina’s aunt, was a known-supporter of Salem and his cause. As a result, she was tasked with the responsibility of looking out for him. Though the circumstances were less than ideal, Salem and the Spellmans always appeared to be making the best of the situation. 

Fun facts about Salem from ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ 

Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart)
Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart) | Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

Since the series came off the air in 2003, many fans and viewers of Sabrina the Teenage Witch have marveled at their favorite moments and scenes. Of course, Salem is in many of them. Mental Floss‘”15 Magical Facts About Sabrina, The Teenage Witch” were one of the many features to highlight and share the fascinating details behind how Salem’s character came to life on screen. 

For instance, over the course of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, there were three different cats to take on the legendary role. Elvis, Witch, and Warlock were the cute cats to have shared the role over the show’s lifespan. Believe it or not, there was actually a puppet version of Salem as well. It would take three puppeteers to seamlessly pull off the charade.

However, fans of Sabrina the Teenage Witch might be most surprised to learn that Salem was actually a writer on the show. 

Salem the cat actually wrote 12 episodes of ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ 

Related

Melissa Joan Hart Reveals the 4 Props She Has From ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’

Fans of Sabrina the Teenage Witch might be pleasantly surprised to learn that Salem has contributed to the show as a writer. Nick Bakay is the actor who brought the voice of Salem to life.

However, he also has written quite a few of the show’s episodes. “Third Aunt from the Sun,” “Troll Bride,” and “Salem, the Boy” are some of the episodes Bakay wrote.

In total, the Salem character contributed 12 episodes to the iconic series. On every level, across the board, it is hard to imagine Sabrina the Teenage Witch without Salem.