When Carroll O’Connor stepped into the role of Archie Bunker on All in the Family, creator Norman Lear could never have predicted just how much of Archie’s stubbornness would bleed into the actor himself. O’Connor wasn’t merely playing a character—he was fiercely protective, almost possessive, of Archie Bunker. This intensity, while bringing a unique authenticity to the role, made working with O’Connor a challenge for Lear and the show’s writers.
O’Connor’s determination to mold Archie into a character that felt authentic to him became clear when he took it upon himself to rewrite the entire pilot episode. Reflecting on this bold move in a 1999 interview with the Television Academy Foundation, O’Connor admitted he found the original script so unsatisfactory that he felt compelled to redo it from scratch. He painstakingly reworked the script in pencil, recording every character’s dialogue himself—Edith, the Meathead, Archie, and even the neighbor’s Black kid. He handed this tape to Lear, who listened to it, recognized the depth of O’Connor’s commitment, and had it transcribed. The result? The rewritten script became the one they used to film the pilot.
But this was only the beginning. In his 2014 memoir, Even This I Get to Experience, Lear recounted his initial thrill at finding the perfect Archie Bunker, a joy that was quickly tempered by the realization that O’Connor was a relentless collaborator. The actor was unafraid to critique, edit, and even rewrite scripts—sometimes in ways that left Lear frustrated and exasperated. Lear recalled how, just two days after being offered the role, O’Connor presented him with a heavily reworked first act. This set the tone for their working relationship, one characterized by frequent clashes and what Lear described as “murderously difficult” moments.
Despite their differences, a deep mutual respect and admiration underpinned their relationship. Lear acknowledged that while O’Connor’s fiery temper and frequent outbursts could be difficult, his portrayal of Archie was so masterful that it was worth every bit of the struggle. Lear confessed he could have kissed O’Connor’s feet after each performance, so profound was his appreciation for the actor’s work.
The depth of their bond became evident after O’Connor’s death in 2001. Visiting O’Connor’s widow, Nancy, Lear was moved to find a letter he had written to the actor still sitting on his desk. In the letter, Lear had poured out his respect and affection for O’Connor, acknowledging the genius that brought Archie Bunker to life. Nancy revealed that the letter had remained in the same spot from the day it arrived until the day O’Connor passed away, a silent testament to the complex, yet enduring, bond between two men who, despite their battles, shared a profound creative connection.