Carroll O’Connor, immortalized as the lovable curmudgeon Archie Bunker in the hit comedy All in the Family, was a staple of the show. His absence at the beginning of Season 5 was a notable void. Here’s what transpired behind the scenes.
Norman Lear’s First Impression of Carroll O’Connor
All in the Family creator, Norman Lear, recalled his first encounter with O’Connor as a serendipitous moment. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Lear described their initial meeting with reverence, recognizing O’Connor as the perfect embodiment of Archie Bunker.
“Carroll O’Connor walked into my office, we shook hands, we sat down at a table, took out a script, and started reading Archie Bunker. And as the character was later wont to say, ‘Case closed,’” Lear reminisced. “I looked up to the heavens and said, ‘Thank God, Archie has arrived.’”
The Dispute That Led to O’Connor’s Absence
Despite this promising start, tensions arose. O’Connor and Lear frequently clashed over creative differences, straining their professional relationship. The discord reached a peak when O’Connor demanded a higher salary, a request that was denied. In protest, O’Connor walked off the show and demanded $64,000 in back pay, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Covering Up O’Connor’s Departure
O’Connor’s absence left a noticeable gap in the series. The show’s creators addressed this with episodes 8 and 9 of Season 5, titled “Where’s Archie?” and “Archie is Missing,” which depicted Edith worrying about Archie’s unexplained disappearance while en route to a convention in Buffalo. These episodes cleverly masked the reality that O’Connor had temporarily left the show. Eventually, a resolution was reached, and O’Connor returned to his iconic role.
Lear Reflects on Working with O’Connor
Norman Lear later reflected on the difficulties of working with O’Connor during an interview with Lena Dunham at the Sundance Film Festival, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Lear acknowledged O’Connor’s unparalleled portrayal of Archie Bunker, but also admitted the challenges.
“It was very difficult dealing with him as Archie Bunker,” Lear confessed. “I worshipped the ground he walked on; there couldn’t be another Archie Bunker in the history of the world. He inhabited it like no one else could. Having said that, it was very difficult.”
As All in the Family approached its conclusion, O’Connor was the only cast member who wanted to continue, while others were ready to move on.
O’Connor’s Transition to Archie Bunker’s Place
After All in the Family ended, O’Connor transitioned to the spinoff Archie Bunker’s Place, which aired from 1979 to 1983, continuing the legacy of his beloved character.
Sally Struthers’ Brief Departure
Carroll O’Connor wasn’t the only actor to temporarily leave the show. Sally Struthers, who played Archie’s daughter, Gloria, also walked off, not wanting to be typecast. The New York Times reported that after a summer hiatus, Struthers decided not to return. Lear responded by obtaining an injunction to prevent her from working elsewhere during her contract’s remaining three years. Struthers eventually returned to work, allowed to miss four out of the 24 episodes that season.
Conclusion
The drama behind the scenes of All in the Family adds a layer of depth to the beloved series. Despite the challenges, Carroll O’Connor’s portrayal of Archie Bunker remains a testament to his talent and dedication, securing his place in television history.