Jean Stapleton Dies At 90, Played Iconic Edith Bunker In ‘All In The Family’

Jean Stapleton died Friday at home in New York City at age 90. The actress is best known for her role as Edith Bunker in the ground-breaking 1970s situation comedy All in the Family.

She won three Emmys in the award-winning role of the rather naive but big-hearted wife to the obnoxious and verbally abusive Archie, who frequently called her “dingbat.” The popular Norman Lear comedy broke ground by tackling controversial issues that weren’t discussed on primetime television in those days, including the unpopular Vietnam war, women’s issues like breast cancer and abortion, and racism.

Although Jean Stapleton was a lifelong actress, she didn’t achieve stardom until she was almost 50, when she was cast in All in the Family. The show ran from 1971 through 1979 and provided humorous commentary on much of the 1970s.

Her high-pitched — almost screechy — voice certainly made her character distinctive. But it was the feeling that she brought to the role that allowed viewers to embrace her as a real person.

One great Archie Bunker quote might capture the genuine affection that the characters put into their roles: “No matter how long we’ve been together Edith, you still, as the kids say, ‘turn me over.'”

However, Stapleton eventually wearied of the role. After appearing a few times in the sequel, Archie Bunker’s Place, she asked to be written out. The character of Edith Bunker was killed, and Archie was left behind to mourn.

Although reunited with O’Connor on Donny and Marie Osmond’s talk show in 2000, a year before O’Connor’s death, she refused to recreate the irritating Edith Bunker voice.

Her husband William Putch passed away in 1983. Her two children, John Putch and Pamela Putch, are both actors.

The family said that Jean Stapleton had died of natural causes.

[1973 All In The Family cast photo by CBS Television via Wikimedia Commons]