Watch CBS News

'All In The Family' Star Jean Stapleton Dies At 90


NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Jean Stapleton, known to generations as Edith Bunker in the classic CBS sitcom "All in the Family," has died.

Ms. Stapleton died Friday at her New York City home, according to multiple published reports.

Ms. Stapleton was born in the city in 1923, and made her acting debut in the off-Broadway play "American Gothic." She made numerous Broadway appearances, taking the stage in "Damn Yankees," "Funny Girl" and other classic productions.

In 1971, Ms. Stapleton began an eight-year run in the groundbreaking sitcom "All in the Family," alongside Carroll O'Connor as her husband, Archie Bunker; Sally Struthers as their daughter, Gloria; and Rob Reiner as their son-in law, Mike – better known as "Meathead."

New York Remembers Jean Stapleton

After "All in the Family" ended its run in 1979, Ms. Stapleton appeared on the spinoff "Archie Bunker's Place" for its first season, but decided to leave the show after the first season with the explanation that Edith Bunker had died of a stroke.

Ms. Stapleton won three Emmys and was nominated a fourth time for her work on "All in the Family," and also received Emmy nominations for her roles as First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1982 CBS TV movie "Eleanor, First Lady of the World," and as "Aunt Vivian" in the ABC sitcom "Grace under Fire," the Hollywood Reporter recalled.

Ms. Stapleton also made single-episode appearances in two other classic CBS sitcoms – "Murphy Brown," where she played Miles Silverberg's grandmother Nana Silverberg, and "Everybody Loves Raymond," where she played Ray's aunt Alda.

Her last major appearance was in the 1998 romantic comedy movie "You've Got Mail," with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.

Mrs. Stapleton is survived by her children, John and Pamela. Her husband, William Putch, died in 1983, and her television husband, O'Connor, died in 2001.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.