“‘Quit’ makes it sound as if I was leaving in anger or with something unfinished,” Jean Stapleton once clarified.
Many of us are fortunate enough to have experienced reruns of “All in the Family,” a groundbreaking TV comedy from the 1970s. One of the most memorable and discussed characters from the show was Edith Bunker, the long-suffering wife of the cringeworthy yet iconic Archie Bunker, played by Carroll O’Connor. Edith was brought to life by the talented Jean Stapleton.
“All in the Family” was a hugely popular program. So, why did it end in 1979, with Jean among the cast members who left? Let’s dive into the details.
Why Did Edith Leave ‘All in the Family’?
In Season 9, Jean Stapleton announced she would not be returning to the show, following the departure of Sally Struthers, who played her daughter, Gloria. Rumors at the time suggested that Jean had flat-out quit the show, which made her feel badly because it simply wasn’t true.
“‘Quit’ makes it sound as if I was leaving in anger or with something unfinished,” Jean explained. She wanted her fans to understand, “I love Edith. She changed my life.” However, she did feel it was time to move on from “All in the Family.”
Jean shared her concerns about being typecast: “So far, by doing other things in the summer, I’ve kept my identity as an actress separate. But, I was afraid if I went on as Edith, I’d never lose her.”
After 206 episodes, Jean was ready to leave Edith behind. Although she made five appearances on “Archie Bunker’s Place,” Jean moved on to other projects. She remarked, “There’s a whole personality basis for casting [in Hollywood], and I’m not a personality gal.”
Following her departure from the role of Edith, Jean’s career continued to flourish. She starred in numerous TV movies and made guest appearances on contemporary shows like “Grace Under Fire,” “Murphy Brown,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” and “Touched by an Angel.” She also had a memorable role in the hit movie “You’ve Got Mail.” Jean passed away in 2013, reportedly of natural causes, with her last professional project being in 2001.
At the time of her passing, her children Pamela and John Putch said, “Being the children of a beloved Mother on Television means sharing the spirit of who Jean Stapleton was with her friends and fans. It is with great love and heavy hearts that we say farewell to our collective Mother, with a capital M. Her devotion to her craft and her family taught us all great life lessons.”
Fans and celebrities alike mourned the actress. Bette Midler tweeted, “Jean Stapleton, beloved as Edith in ‘All in the Family,’ dies at 90. She was unforgettable in that role… rest in peace.”