THUNDER BAY – Entertainment – Jean Stapleton has died. The actress best known for her role as Edith Bunker in “All in the Family” was a Friday night fixture on television for years as the lady who somehow managed to keep Archie Bunker on the right track.
Stapleton’s presentation of Edith Bunker was ground-breaking in many ways. She was the housewife, who ran the house, but also ended up working out of the house as well.
Born in New York City, Stapleton was born to Joseph E. Murray (a billboard advertising salesman) and Marie Stapleton Murray (a singer), she attended Hunter College.
At age 18, she began her career in 1941 in summer stock and made her New York debut in American Gothic, an Off-Broadway play. (Wikipedia)
The actress spent a long career entertaining audiences from stage to television. As an actor on All in the Family her accolades included three Emmy awards and two Golden Globes.
All in the Family was a situation comedy set in New York, featuring Archie Bunker as the head of the household. Archie Bunker, played by Carol O’Connor, was a bigoted man, but the show over time progressed to show a more human side of the character.
Stapleton, playing Edith Bunker was often called a ‘Dingbat’ by her husband, but in most cases out smarted Archie Bunker.
The show broke a lot of ground showing Americans some of the darker side of their society.
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