Carroll O’Connor portrayed the iconic character Archie Bunker on All in the Family from 1971 to 1979, and he continued the role on the spinoff Archie Bunker’s Place from 1979 to 1983. Despite the controversy surrounding Archie Bunker’s character, O’Connor had his own feelings about playing the role.
The Character of Archie Bunker
Archie Bunker, a prejudiced and conservative man from Queens, New York, lived with his wife Edith (Jean Stapleton), son-in-law Mike Stivic (Rob Reiner), and daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers). The show, created by Norman Lear and Alan “Bud” Yorkin, drew inspiration from Lear’s father and a character from the British sitcom Till Death Us Do Part.
Carroll O’Connor’s Perspective on Archie Bunker
Contrary to popular belief, O’Connor did not want to distance himself from his All in the Family persona. He cherished his association with Archie and enjoyed interacting with fans who recognized him from the show. In an interview with Bob Costas, O’Connor expressed the joy the character brought him.
“I never did mind the identification with Archie Bunker,” O’Connor said. “The press thought that I was trying to get away from that image, and nothing could be further from the truth. It’s an image that I treasure. People say, ‘Hello, Archie’ to me on the street. That’s wonderful. That never bothered me.”
The Real Carroll O’Connor vs. Archie Bunker
O’Connor was often asked if he was anything like his outspoken character. In a 1994 interview with the Los Angeles Times, he clarified that he was not like Archie at all. He said Archie “wasn’t even close” to who he was in real life, though he admitted it was the most fulfilling character he had ever played.
Earle Marsh, co-author of The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, noted that O’Connor made Archie likable despite his abrasive nature. “One of the unusual things about All in the Family was that people saw the absurdity of his prejudice and all his bizarre attitudes,” Marsh told the Los Angeles Times. “[But] you couldn’t hate him. He was a fool, but he had a good heart. O’Connor made Archie likable.”
Jean Stapleton on O’Connor and Archie Bunker
Jean Stapleton, who played Edith Bunker, described both O’Connor and Archie during an interview with the Archive of American Television. “On the surface [Archie] was that incredible, ignorant bigot,” said Stapleton. “But of course, [Edith] saw more than that. They were in love; she was in love with this man.” When asked about her working relationship with O’Connor, Stapleton said they worked very well together.
Kerry Washington’s Take on Norman Lear’s Shows
Kerry Washington, who starred in Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s All in the Family and The Jeffersons, highlighted the relatability of the characters on Lear’s shows. “Part of what’s so revolutionary is that they’re just families,” Washington said during an ABC special titled All About All in the Family and The Jeffersons. “They’re families that are very recognizable and relatable. They’re sort of dipping their toe into difficult areas and having conversations that we are still having.”
O’Connor’s portrayal of Archie Bunker remains a significant part of television history, demonstrating the power of comedy to address and challenge societal issues.
