It’s been an incredible 50 years since “All in the Family” first graced our screens, but for Sally Struthers, who played Archie Bunker’s beloved daughter Gloria Stivic, the memories remain vivid. “It feels like it happened 15 years ago, but it also feels like it happened a 100 years ago,” shares Sally, who won two Emmys for her role. “Time is a curious thing, and I can’t quite get a handle on how much time has passed.”
Since “All in the Family” ended, Sally, now 73, has become a familiar face to new generations, notably as Babette on “Gilmore Girls.” Her career extends beyond the screen as an advocate for Save the Children and a voice actress for series like “Dinosaurs” and “TaleSpin.” Despite her extensive work in theater and other projects, it’s her television roles that resonate most with fans. “Quite often I will get stopped by a family. The mother will say, ‘Oh, we love you on All in the Family,’” Sally recounts. “Then the daughter will say, ‘No, she’s Babette!’ It’s so funny to see the generational thing happen.”
The Start of a Career-Changing Role
When Sally auditioned for “All in the Family” in 1971, she had no inkling of the monumental impact it would have on her life. “Performers often don’t have a clue what the length of a job will be,” she explains. Fresh off “The Tim Conway Comedy Hour,” she was heartbroken when executives cut her from the show. “I was distraught! I adored Tim Conway and wondered what would happen to me next.”
But fate led her to audition for a then-unknown Norman Lear. “He gave me a yelling scene. I had laryngitis that day, so my voice was raspy, but I guess it made him remember me.” Despite feeling overshadowed by fellow finalist Penny Marshall, Sally’s natural performance landed her the role of Gloria.
Finding Common Ground with Gloria
Sally initially felt little in common with Gloria. “Other than being young and female, I didn’t feel like I had a lot in common with her,” she admits. Raised in the Pacific Northwest as a devout Lutheran, Sally contrasted sharply with Gloria’s Astoria, New York upbringing and early marriage. Yet, this disconnect allowed her to bring authenticity and depth to the character.
Evolving with the Show
“For the first five years, the writers didn’t know what to do with her,” Sally says. But as the show progressed, Gloria’s character blossomed. “Michael expanded Gloria’s knowledge of the world, politics, and her power as a woman. They finally wrote stories about Mike and Gloria and gave me some meat. I had been eating salad for five years and I finally got the entrée!”
A Family on Set
The cast’s chemistry was undeniable. “We got along as beautifully as anyone could have ever hoped. There wasn’t any competition between us,” Sally recalls. She fondly remembers Jean Stapleton’s subtle grace and Carroll O’Connor’s paternal warmth. “Carroll gave me advice, he laughed at my antics, he hugged me all the time — and he introduced me to my husband [William Rader]! So I gained a father again by doing that show.”
A Legacy Cemented
Sally vividly remembers the moment she realized the show’s impact. “Rob and I realized it within a few weeks. After a few weeks of ‘All in the Family’ being on the air, we couldn’t go over there anymore. We were mobbed!” Filming the final episode was emotional, but it wasn’t until later that the true weight of her experience hit her. “Whenever I see an episode on TV now, I stop for a second, but as soon as I see Carroll or Jean, I get so sad that I have to change the channel.”
A Proud Legacy
Reflecting on her time with “All in the Family,” Sally beams with pride. “All in the Family was history-making and that doesn’t happen to too many actors.” A moment of realization came when her daughter found the show’s cast photo under the word “television” in the Encyclopedia Britannica. “That’s when you say, ‘Wow!’”
Sally Struthers’ journey from Gloria Stivic to Babette and beyond is a testament to her enduring talent and the timeless impact of her work on television history.
