Jean Stapleton (born Jeanne Murray; January 19, 1923 – May 31, 2013) was an American character actress of stage, television and film.
Stapleton is best known for having portrayed Edith Bunker, the long-suffering, yet devoted wife of Archie Bunker (played by Carroll O’Connor) and mother of Gloria Stivic (played by Sally Struthers), on the 1970s situation comedy All in the Family. Stapleton also made occasional appearances on the All in the Family follow-up series, Archie Bunker’s Place, but, tired of the role, asked to be written out as a regular character after the first season.
Stapleton’s awards for All in the Family include three Emmys and two Golden Globes. She was offered a role in the feature film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory as Mrs. Teevee, but she declined because it coincided with the production of the All in the Family pilot (the role went to Nora Denney).
She declined the opportunity to lead in the television mystery programme Murder, She Wrote, which from 1984 to 1996 instead starred Angela Lansbury.
In 1996, Stapleton played opposite John Travolta, portraying the eccentric rooming house owner, Pansy Milbank in Nora Ephron’s hit Michael. Stapleton also appeared in the 1998 feature You’ve Got Mail as a close co-worker in whom Meg Ryan’s character confides.
Jean Stapleton Cause of Death
Jean Stapleton died of natural causes, in New York City, surrounded by family and friends. Jean Stapleton was 90 years old at the time of her death. She is survived by her two children, John, a TV director, and Pamela, a TV producer.
Jean Stapleton – Simple Melody
All In The Family Intro