Carroll O’Connor’s legacy in American television is monumental. Best known for his roles in All in the Family and its spinoff Archie Bunker’s Place from 1971 to 1983, and later In the Heat of the Night from 1988 to 1995, O’Connor’s impact on TV is undeniable. With 11 Golden Globe nominations, winning one, and nine Emmy nominations, winning five, his talent and dedication to his craft earned him a revered place in television history.
All in the Family remains one of the most honored American TV shows, being the first sitcom where all four leads won Emmys. It’s no wonder ABC chose it for Live in Front of a Studio Audience, a special where contemporary stars perform episodes of classic sitcoms live. As we prepare for the second special, let’s remember the life and times of Carroll O’Connor and the circumstances of his passing.
1. O’Connor Died From Complications With Diabetes
On June 21, 2001, Carroll O’Connor collapsed at his home in Culver City, California, after suffering a heart attack. He was rushed to Brotman Medical Center with his wife, Nancy, by his side, but sadly, he passed away about an hour after being admitted. He was 76 years old.
O’Connor had previously undergone coronary bypass surgery in 1989 and saw his health decline over the next decade due to diabetes. In 1998, he had surgery to clear a blockage in a heart artery, and in 1999, he underwent another surgery to correct adhesions from a previous gall bladder operation.
In 2000, O’Connor had surgery to improve circulation in his left leg, during which the fourth toe on that foot was amputated due to diabetes-related circulation issues. Even then, his humor remained intact; as he left the hospital, he joked with TV crews, showing them his bandaged foot and quipping about carrying a plastic bottle for urination.
2. O’Connor’s Star-Studded Funeral
Hundreds of family members, friends, celebrities, and fans attended O’Connor’s funeral, a Catholic Mass held at St. Paul of the Apostle Church in Westwood, California. The service was a testament to his influence and the many lives he touched.
Anne Meara, who co-starred with O’Connor on Archie Bunker’s Place, attended with her husband, Jerry Stiller. They had been friends with O’Connor and his wife since the 1950s. Meara found it fitting that O’Connor received a standing ovation as his casket was carried out of the church, saying, “When someone dies, it’s a loss; when an actor dies, you lose a crowd.”
Actors Larry Hagman (Dallas), Martin Sheen (The West Wing), and Denise Nicholas (In the Heat of the Night) read Bible passages at the funeral. O’Connor’s All in the Family co-stars Sally Struthers, Rob Reiner, Danielle Brisebois, and the show’s producer Norman Lear were also in attendance, along with fellow actors Don Rickles, Dom DeLuise, and Carl Reiner, and politicians Richard Riordan and Jerry Brown.
Hagman told CNN, “It was nice to go up there and see Carroll had a full house. He would have enjoyed that. He was a nice guy, and a wonderful friend for 42 years.”
3. His Onscreen Wife Couldn’t Attend
Jean Stapleton, who won four Emmys and two Golden Globes for playing Edith Bunker, was unable to attend O’Connor’s funeral due to a stage commitment in Houston. Despite her absence, Stapleton had nothing but fond memories of O’Connor, describing him as “one of the most intelligent and generous people I have ever worked with.”
O’Connor reciprocated the admiration, writing in his 1998 autobiography that Stapleton’s Edith was a perfect foil for his Archie, bringing a benign, compassionate presence that made his character’s churlishness bearable and comically touching.
4. Preceded in Death by His Son
O’Connor and his wife Nancy had one child, Hugh O’Connor, who played Lt. Lonnie Jamison on In the Heat of the Night. Tragically, Hugh struggled with addiction after undergoing chemotherapy and surgeries for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In 1995, Hugh took his own life after a battle with addiction.
Before his death, O’Connor had been investigating Harry Perzigian, who had been supplying Hugh with drugs. Perzigian was arrested and sentenced to jail time after Hugh’s death. O’Connor’s efforts led to the passing of the Hugh O’Connor Memorial Law, allowing family members of addicts to sue drug dealers for medical and rehabilitation costs.
5. Nancy O’Connor’s Passing
Thirteen years after losing her husband, Nancy O’Connor died in 2014 at the age of 84, having battled Alzheimer’s for a decade. Carroll and Nancy met at the University of Montana in the late 1940s and were married in Dublin in 1951. Nancy developed the first comprehensive fine arts curriculum for Missoula’s elementary schools and supported her husband’s illustrious career, despite her own challenges in finding acting roles due to her height.
