Stapleton was best known for her role as Edith, the faithful wife of Archie Bunker, on All in the Family. She won three Emmy Awards for her work, acting alongside Carroll O’Connor, Sally Struthers, and Rob Reiner.
She played the part for more than 200 episodes and nine seasons on All in the Family. She continued on the Archie Bunker’s Place spin-off but asked to be written out during the first season. In the second season debut, Archie mourned Edith’s passing from a stroke. O’Connor was given a George Foster Peabody Broadcasting Award for the touching episode.
On television, Stapleton starred in several TV movies over the years and made numerous guest appearances. She also starred with Whoopi Goldberg for one season of Bagdad Cafe on CBS.
Stapleton also had a long career on stage. While working on All in the Family, she would perform in plays during the summer months. She married William Putch in the 1950s and he operated the Totem Pole Playhouse in Pennsylvania.
Putch died in 1983. Stapleton is survived by their two children, John and Pamela, and grandchildren.
Here’s a clip of the last time that Stapleton and O’Connor appeared together. This aired in April 2000.
What do you think? Do you have favorite memories of Stapleton’s work on All in the Family or elsewhere?
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