Sally Struthers has enjoyed a remarkable career in Hollywood spanning decades, but she is still fondly remembered as Archie Bunker’s “little girl,” Gloria Stivic. Struthers starred in the seminal ’70s sitcom “All in the Family,” alongside Carroll O’Connor, Jean Stapleton, and Rob Reiner. The show, which depicted the life of a working-class family, aired from 1971 until 1979 and became a cultural touchstone.
“I had just come off ‘The Tim Conway Comedy Hour,’” Struthers recently recounted to Closer Weekly. “I was supposed to be on all 13 weeks of it, but after the fifth show, the executives said, ‘Get rid of that dancer girl. She makes the show look cheap!’ So I was let go. I was distraught! I adored Tim Conway and wondered what would happen to me next.”
Despite her setback, Struthers’ career took a fortuitous turn when she auditioned for Norman Lear, the creator of “All in the Family.” “I went to read for this man nobody knew, Norman Lear,” the 74-year-old continued. “He said it was the role of the daughter and gave me a yelling scene. I had laryngitis that day, so my voice was raspy, but I guess it made him remember me. He narrowed it down to four young ladies, and I was one of the final four.”
Struthers landed the role of Gloria, and she quickly felt at home with her new castmates. “We got along as beautifully as anyone could have ever hoped,” she said. “There wasn’t any competition between us. We all revered one another because it was the perfect casting. Rob and I were the third set of kids – Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton had made two other pilots before we went to CBS. I have never seen those two pilots, but I hear you can find them on YouTube. People who’ve seen them say that Rob and I finally had the right chemistry for Jean and Carroll.”
Struthers also shared a special bond with Carroll O’Connor, who portrayed the outspoken, cranky bigot Archie Bunker. “In 1968, my own father passed away,” Struthers revealed. “I was still feeling bad and fatherless when I got this show. Carroll and his wife, Nancy, turned out to be as parental with me as he was in the show. 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.”
When “All in the Family” came to an end, Struthers found it difficult to part ways with the cast. “It was emotional, but it wasn’t sad,” she said. “I didn’t have any idea at the time how much I would miss it. Whenever I see an episode on TV now, I stop for a second. As soon as I see Carroll or Jean, I get so sad that I have to change the channel.”
Despite its rocky start, “All in the Family” eventually resonated with audiences, making Archie Bunker an iconic character. Carroll O’Connor’s portrayal of Archie, a blue-collar worker from Queens whose ignorance and intolerance served as his own comic foil, was pivotal to the show’s success. The series ranked No. 1 for five consecutive years, establishing itself as a television landmark.
O’Connor continued to thrive as an actor, even as his health declined. In 2000, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Despite circulatory troubles related to diabetes, which led to a toe amputation, and coronary bypass surgery in 1989, O’Connor remained active in his career. His last screen appearance was in the 2000 romantic comedy “Return to Me.” O’Connor passed away in 2001 at the age of 76, with his wife, Nancy, by his side.
Reflecting on her time in “All in the Family,” Struthers expressed pride in her work and the lifelong friendships she developed. “I’ve done so many shows as a guest, and that’s fun, but ‘All in the Family’ was history-making, and that doesn’t happen to too many actors,” she said. “I knew it the day my daughter was in her room writing a report, using the Encyclopedia Britannica. She screamed from her room and said, ‘Mom, come in here!’ She had the encyclopedia opened to the letter T on her desk. Under the word television was a picture of the ‘All in the Family’ cast. That’s when you say, ‘Wow!’”
Sally Struthers’ reflections highlight the enduring legacy of “All in the Family” and its impact on both television history and her personal life. Her portrayal of Gloria Stivic remains a beloved part of the show’s groundbreaking narrative, reminding audiences of the powerful blend of humor and social commentary that defined the series.
