Jean Stapleton

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Jean Stapleton

Jean Stapleton (born Jeanne Murray on January 19, 1923 in New York City) is an American actress of stage, television and film.

She is best known for her portrayal of the long-suffering, yet devoted wife of Archie Bunker (played by Carroll O'Connor) and mother of Gloria Bunker Stivic (played by Sally Struthers), Edith Bunker on the popular and groundbreaking 1970s situation comedy All in the Family. She was also occasionally in the All in the Family sequel Archie Bunker's Place.

Stapleton's awards for All in the Family include three Emmys and three Golden Globes. Jean was offered a role in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but declined because it coincided with the production of the All in the Family pilot.

She began her New York career in American Gothic, an Off Broadway play. She has been featured on Broadway in several hit musicals, such as Damn Yankees, Funny Girl, Bells Are Ringing, and Juno.

Stapleton has also acted in made-for-TV movies and feature films such as Klute, which starred Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland, the zany comedy Cold Turkey and the Faerie Tale Theatre episode Cinderella as the fairy godmother. She also had a recurring role on TV's Scarecrow and Mrs. King as a British spy. Stapleton appeared in the 1999 movie You've Got Mail.

In 2001, Stapleton attended the funeral of Carroll O'Connor, along with Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers.

Stapleton's husband, William H. Putch, by whom she had two children, (actor/writer/director John Putch and actress Pamela Putch), died in 1983. Her husband directed a summer stock theater, Totem Pole Playhouse, at Caledonia State Park in Pennsylvania for 30 years. Stapleton performed occasionally at the theatre with the resident company.

Stapleton is not related to the late actress Maureen Stapleton; she acquired her professional name of Jean Stapleton as many other actors have done. She used her mother's maiden name. Jean Stapleton has numerous relatives in show business, including actress cousin Betty Jane Watson.