'All in the Family' star Jean Stapleton dies at 90

[Newsjock]

Source: Chicago Tribune

Jean Stapleton, who played Archie Bunker’s long-suffering wife Edith in the long-running 1970s television series “All in the Family,” died Friday at her New York City home. She was 90.

Stapleton died of natural causes, her family announced Saturday.

She had been a veteran of stage, film and television when she was cast in the CBS sitcom opposite Carroll O’Connor’s loud-mouthed, bigoted Archie Bunker, who often addressed her as "dingbat." She won three Emmys for the role.

... Born in New York City on Jan. 19, 1923, Stapleton was the daughter of a billboard advertising salesman and an opera singer.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/la-et-st-jean-stapleton-dies-at-90-20130601,0,5429067.story

[hrmjustin]

1. May she rest in peace!

[dsc]

2. she was so great as Edith

Loved her, loved the show, and the world will miss her greatly. BTW she was actually a good singer.

[jzola]

53. She was also great in her one women show as Eleanor Roosevelt.

[dsc]

59. that must of been something to see

I remember a tv movie she was in about female bank tellers who sued over gender discrimination and she was great in that too.

[mac56]

3. A very classy woman

both on and off the screen.

[Demoiselle]

4. I'm sorry.

She was a wonderful, warm, goofy actress. And completely real, too, which ain't easy.

[steve2470]

5. RIP, I always enjoyed her nt

[Laelth]

6. Aw. That's very sad news. k&r n/t

-Laelth

[RebelOne]

7. Sad news. I never realized she was that old.

I loved her as Edith Bunker.

[JanMichael]

14. I never realized she was that young! :)

She pulled off Edith Bunker so well....believable. A wonderful actress. Love that show!

[benld74]

8. Prayers Edith,,,,

[Tx4obama]

9. Very sad news :(

R.I.P.

[earthside]

10. Archie Bunker Pisses Off Edith

[neversaydie]

97. thank you!!!!!

thank you for posting this video. gawd I miss that show. "hey Awchee"

[premium]

11. R.I.P. Jean Stapleton,

you will be missed.

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. Needs rec's for the rest of DU to know of her passing..

I used to watch All in the Family with cringing, because it portrayed a lot about my blue collar family, esp. my long suffering aunts who married Archies.
Dear dear Edith......

[Isoldeblue]

28. Same here, dixiegrrrl

I had a father-in-law that made Archie look like Gandhi....... Once he found out that I had a Jewish grandfather, he would tell crummy Jewish jokes, non-stop at every meal. I hated visits there.

[awoke_in_2003]

37. Carroll O'Conner had repukes nailed. nt

[alp227]

38. and see my reply #15 for the names of other Norman Lear sitcom cast members

who have passed in the past year, they include those who played lead characters in The Jeffersons and One Day at a Time. As a 90s/00s kid, back in 2009 and 2010 I used to watch The Jeffersons and Good Times when a local TV station put on classic sitcoms in the late afternoons and later began watching All in the Family on DVD.

[Lucky Luciano]

13. RIP Dingbat!

[SoapBox]

65. You took the words right out of my post!

RIP Dingbat!

You taught America a lot.

[alp227]

15. The only surviving members of the Bunker household: Meathead and Gloria. RIP Stapleton.

Last edited Sat Jun 1, 2013, 05:21 PM - Edit history (1)

(Edited to add) I notice that a lot of cast members of '70s Norman Lear sitcoms have passed recently.

March 1: Bonnie Franklin (Ann Romano in One Day at a Time)
Jan. 14: Conrad Bain (Dr. Arthur Harmon in Maude)
Jan. 2: Ralph Wertimer (who played the doorman Ralph Hart in The Jeffersons)
July 24, 2012: Sherman Helmsley (George Jefferson, The Jeffersons)

[dsc]

64. sad but not terribly surprising

The 70's are now 40 years old in some cases and over 30 in all cases. The first episode of All In The Family aired over 41 years ago, the first Jeffersons and One Day At a Time over 37 years ago, the first Maude over 40 years ago. It is hardly surprising that we are starting see the adults on those shows passing on.

[neversaydie]

98. it's surprising to me...

that I'm getting OLD! watched that show with my family and we laughed so hard. I just can't believe that was 40 years ago. guess it's time to get started on that mid-life crisis...

[chknltl]

16. Sad news.

.




















.
RIP Jean 'Edith' Stapelton

[Triana]

17. I loved that TV series - still watch the reruns. So sad hear she's gone.

R.I.P. Jean Stapleton.

[whathehell]

48. Me too....Carol O'Conner and Jean Stapleton were great.

RIP to both.

[burrowowl]

82. Amen to that!

[dmr]

19. Rest in Peace, Jean.

Edith Bunker was a wonderful character, but Jean is what made her so beautiful.

My former mother-in-law was just like Edith. She was just as wonderful.

[Arugula Latte]

20. It's weird to think she was only 50 in '73

She seemed older to me, as a kid. I think it was the clothing, the hairstyle, the behavior.

She was great and I'm glad she had a rich and long life.

[MarianJack]

21. Nice Lady & good actress!

RIP!

PEACE!

[Occulus]

22. I'm going to retire my obscene parody of her as my ringtone.

I still won't ever be able to watch the show the same way again, though...

(If you're curious, the file I used was eatdith.wav and you can Google it if you like. I will not post the link here. It's just... obscene.)

[greatauntoftriplets]

23. No!!!!!!!!! I liked her so much.

[LeftofObama]

24. RIP Edith!

We'll miss you!

[no_hypocrisy]

25. I cried through the entire episode where Edith died.

It's like going through the whole experience again.

[tblue]

55. When was that?

I stopped watching after Mike & Gloria moved out. I didn't know they killed off Edith!

I'm sad Ms. Stapleton passed away. What a treasure she was. I adore All in the Family. It holds up perfectly. Just as relevant as ever.

[alp227]

67. season 1 of "Archie Bunker's Place"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Bunker#Edith.27s_death

[no_hypocrisy]

69. Jean Stapleton wanted to leave the show, so

the writers had her die in her sleep of a stroke and the first episode of the new season (1982? ) had Archie and Stefanie trying to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. It really was well written and heartbreaking. Especially when Archie found a lost bedroom slipper of Edith and started to talk to her and he broke down crying for the first time during the show. Powerful.

Here's the transcript of the episode:

http://www.allinthefamilysit.com/Archie_Alone_Transcript.pdf

[Skittles]

80. if I remember right, he had been sleeping on the couch since she passed

[sir pball]

85. You really shouldn't have posted this. It might remind us that even RW pigs like Archie are human

And that we're all susceptible to the same shit. How dare you remind us!

Hell, maybe it would do the nation good to have a mandatory watching of the entirety of AITF (and Archie Bunker's Place, where the Edith death ep occurred) some time..

[JI7]

87. today's wingnuts would not have accepted archie

at least with him there was the whole thing of the times he grew up in. he was also working class and had a relationship with liberal family members and did not completely shut out minorities .

[naturallyselected]

93. Jean Stapleton was a Christian Scientist

Jean Stapleton was very active in Christian Science and was not comfortable with so much of the show's action being shifted to a bar (the bar in "Archie Bunker's Place&quot . So she chose to leave the show.

I'm always surprised when Christian Scientists live to 90. Chances are they have not been treated for any diseases that become more common in old age. My own mother died at 68, and suffered (and I use that word literally) with ovarian cancer for many months before she died. It was only when it was far too late to do anything about it that she saw a doctor.

I loved the humanity and dignity that Jean Stapleton brought to the role of Edith Bunker. I never missed an episode when they were new, and I have seen every episode in re-runs many times. Interestingly, it was my Dad's favorite show. He was as Republican as they come, and I could never figure out why he loved the show so much, as it clearly came from a perspective much more to the left.

[Tarheel_Dem]

26. Terrific lady! Terrific show!

[BumRushDaShow]

27. R.I.P.

To an amazing actress and performer. "All in the Family" is still a classic and quintessential look at Americana.

So sad to have seen this and condolences to the family.

Edit to add -

[ReRe]

46. I totally agree with your comment....

... that it is classic Americana, historical fiction in film that in the centuries ahead, people will be able to see what times were like in our generation.

RIP, Edith. You will be remembered forever.

[whistler162]

70. Still have the 45 rpm

RIP Jean.

Also enjoyed her when she guest starred on The Scarecrow and Mrs. King.

[warrior1]

29. Rest in peace

Jean

[uppityperson]

30. RIP Ms Stapelton and thank you for what you did so well.

[Warpy]

31. I thank her for her long life of excellent storytelling

through the characters she played so beautifully.

I hope the end was peaceful and without fear.

[Mnemosyne]

47. It says natural causes, so I hope the same for this amazing woman. Rest in Peace, Ms. Stapleton. nt

[pinto]

32. A classic and a great actor. Well done Jean. RIP.

[Faygo Kid]

33. Edith is finally stifled. RIP.

So many great memories; an enduring character, and great actress.

[DeSwiss]

34. RIP

[KinMd]

35. Edith Bunker had to be

one of most enduring characters in TV history

[KinMd]

36. Could a network put on a show like "All in the Family" today?

[pinto]

39. 'Wild About Harry' -

[DrDan]

40. RIP Edith . . . .

[Hekate]

41. Edith was the glue that held the Bunker family together.

The "dingbat" was their heart and soul.

RIP Ms Stapleton, and thanks for the memories.

[David__77]

42. This is very upsetting to me.

Such a wonderful woman...

[Spitfire of ATJ]

43. She really brought that character to life....

A lot of actors are basically being themselves in whatever role they are playing. Then there are the ones who are NOTHING like the role they are playing. Jean Stapleton is one of those.

[Lugnut]

44. So sad.

She was such a talented actress. RIP Ms Stapleton.

[duffyduff]

45. Jean Stapleton interview excerpts from 2000

[Triana]

51. Thanks for that. A good way to remember her and AITF. n/t

[syberlion]

73. Thank You for this

She was such a bright light and I always enjoyed her in whatever part she chose to play. I'm just so glad there is so much of her work we can still see, she will be missed.

[shenmue]

49. Rest in peace.

[alphafemale]

50. Awwww. One of the most beloved characters of all time.

She was so open and loving.

How could anyone not love her back?

[Iggo]

52. Those were the days!

Jean Stapleton!!!

[Kurovski]

54. K&R for a terrific character actress.

She and the writers made Edith a human wonder to behold.

Condolences to the family.

[AngryOldDem]

56. One of the greatest actresses who played one of the greatest characters ever...

Her Edith, although a "Dingbat," shed a lot of light on just how ignorant and stupid bigotry and prejudice can be, and just how liberating it is to just accept people as they are.

One episode that still brings me to tears (the other being the Christmas episode where Mike invites a draft dodger and Archie invites a man who lost a son in Vietnam) is her episode where Edith has a crisis of faith after her friend Beverly, a cross-dresser, is beaten to death because of who he is. Pretty powerful and groundbreaking stuff for the early to mid-1970s, and pretty thought-provoking, as well.

RIP, Ms. Stapleton -- you will be missed. Those were indeed the days.

[BeyondGeography]

57. She brought such kindness to Edith

The type only a kind person could bring.

[Omaha Steve]

58. Gee, our old LaSalle ran great

Those were the days!!!!

http://mortystv.com/aitf_faq.shtml


1940 LaSalle by Cadillac


"Those Were The Days"
by Lee Adams and Charles Strouse

Boy, the way Glen Miller played. Songs that made the hit parade.
Guys like us, we had it made. Those were the days.
Didn't need no welfare state. Everybody pulled his weight.
Gee, our old LaSalle ran great. Those were the days.
And you know who you were then, girls were girls and men were men.
Mister, we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again.
People seemed to be content. Fifty dollars paid the rent.
Freaks were in a circus tent. Those were the days.
Take a little Sunday spin, go to watch the Dodgers win.
Have yourself a dandy day that cost you under a fin.
Hair was short and skirts were long. Kate Smith really sold a song.
I don't know just what went wrong. Those Were The Days.

K&R!

[elfin]

60. Archie would say "Stifle yourself"

And she would ultimately make her point in some kind of an end around.

Wonderful show. Wish they would do reruns like they do for Golden Girls and Roseanne.

[Va Lefty]

61. This is very sad. RIP Ms. Stapleton

[edbermac]

62. Ending of Too Good Edith, her last episode on AITF.

"You're a pip...a real pip."

Perfect farewell to a wonderful character. RIP, dear lady.

[Herlong]

63. Go with god and Rest in Peace

A wonderful woman. My hero.

[WillyT]

66. RIP Edith...

Peace...

[KinMd]

68. Archie and Ediths chairs

are on display in the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington DC

[ArnoldLayne]

71. RIP Edith

[chervilant]

72. Thank you for posting this news.

My thoughts are with her family -- ALL of us.

[adric mutelovic]

74. She will be missed

I idolized her.

[hrmjustin]

77. Welcome to DU my friend!

[tabasco]

75. An awesome talent who will be remembered

Thanks for the memories, Ms. Stapleton!

[Iwillnevergiveup]

76. So beloved

so talented, so sad. Thankfully, we have multiple ways to view all her work so she'll live on in our memories. A class act on stage and off.

Rest in peace, Ms. Stapleton.

[Historic NY]

78. Bye Edith....you weren't the Dingbat, Archie thought...

in some small way your role advanced women.

[Myrina]

79. She was so very good in "Michael"

Playing off of John Travolta. Very believable.

Rest in Peace.

[davidpdx]

81. I loved All in the Family

Looking back at the cast it is pretty amazing what the four main members did throughout their careers. I have never seen Jean Stapleton in any other role, but I understand she was quite an accomplished actress. She lived a long life. RIP

[mimi85]

83. Me too

It was definitely "must watch TV" at the time. She left us with so many fond memories; I felt more than a little sad when I heard the news. Ha, when my husband had super long hair back in the day, it drove my dad nuts and he started calling him "meathead." Thanks for the laughter and the tears, dingbat.

[davidpdx]

86. It's funny how the program had a direct impact on your family

I guess meathead was one of the nicer things Archie said. When the show was on I was too young to watch it, but have seen some of the episodes in reruns.

[davidwparker]

84. Ground breaking show. RIP. n/t

[underpants]

88. After "All in the Family" we would see her and say, "Hey that's Edith!!"

and we came to realize how wonderfully talented she was.

I can still to a really good Edith impression.

[Granny M]

89. RIP Jean Stapleton.

I will never forget her as Edith.

[jessie04]

90. Great lady...she will be remembered .

RIP

[Tuesday Afternoon]

91. May she rest in peace. My condolences to her family. n/t

[Burma Jones]

92. Some Years ago, I saw her as the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet at the Shakespeare Theatre in DC

I kept waiting for Edith to come out...she did so only once, and I'm sure Ms. Stapleton did it on purpose, she called out for Juliet in a voice reminiscent of Edith Bunker....A long life, good for her....

[red dog 1]

94. My father loved "All in the Family", and so did I.

My Dad would laugh so hard, his face would turn red.

Jean Stapleton was great in the John Travolta film "Michael"

RIP Jean Stapleton.

[colorado_ufo]

95. Love you, Edith . . . love you, Jean.

[maddogesq]

96. She had lots of great parts besides Edith. Does anyone remember "Aunt Mary"?

That was the program about a Baltimore woman that kept kids off the streets by getting them into baseball in the 1950's. I remember it well because they used the voice of baseball broadcaster ERnie Harwell, who called the O's games before coming to Detroit.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078810/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl