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Carroll O'Connor
Carrol O'Connor as Archie Bunker.JPG
O'Connor as Archie Bunker in 1975
Born
John Carroll O'Connor

(1924-08-02)August 2, 1924
New York City, U.S.
Died June 21, 2001(2001-06-21) (aged 76)
Burial place Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma mater University College Dublin (BA)
University of Montana (MA)
Occupation Actor, producer, director
Years active 1951–2000
Spouse(s)
Nancy Fields
(m. 1951)
Children Hugh

Carroll O'Connor (born August 2, 1924 – died June 21, 2001) was a famous American actor, producer, and director. He had a long career in television that lasted more than 40 years.

He became very well-known for playing Archie Bunker. This character was the main star of the TV shows All in the Family (1971–1979) and Archie Bunker's Place (1979–1983). He won four Emmy Awards for this role. Later, O'Connor starred as police chief William "Bill" Gillespie in the crime drama In the Heat of the Night (1988–1995). He also appeared in Mad About You in the late 1990s. Carroll O'Connor won a total of five Emmys and two Golden Globe Awards during his career.

Early Life and Education

Carroll O'Connor was born in Manhattan, New York City, on August 2, 1924. He was the oldest of three sons. His father, Edward Joseph O'Connor, was a lawyer, and his mother, Elise Patricia O'Connor, was a teacher.

Carroll spent most of his childhood in Elmhurst and Forest Hills, Queens. These are the same neighborhoods where his famous character, Archie Bunker, would later live on TV.

He finished high school at Newtown High School. In 1941, he started college at Wake Forest University. But he left when the United States joined World War II. During the war, he served in the United States Merchant Marine.

After the war, O'Connor went to the University of Montana. He worked as an editor for the student newspaper, Montana Kaimin. He left his editing job to protest when the school administration removed an issue of the paper. This issue had a cartoon that showed the Montana Board of Education as rats.

While at the University of Montana, he acted in student plays. He met Nancy Fields there, who later became his wife. She worked on makeup and lighting for a play. In 1951, Carroll and Nancy got married in Dublin, Ireland. He finished his college studies at University College Dublin in Ireland in 1952. He studied Irish history and English literature.

Becoming an Actor

Carroll O'Connor started acting in plays in Dublin and New York in the 1950s. He got his first big break in a Broadway play based on the book Ulysses.

He began acting on television in the early 1960s. He appeared in many popular TV shows. These included Bonanza, The Fugitive, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and Mission: Impossible. He often played different kinds of characters in these shows.

O'Connor also acted in many movies during the 1960s and early 1970s. Some of his films were Cleopatra (1963), Kelly's Heroes (1970), and Doctors' Wives (1971). He often played military officers or police officers in these roles.

Famous Roles He Almost Played

Carroll O'Connor was considered for some other well-known TV roles. He was thought of for the Skipper in Gilligan's Island. He was also considered for Dr. Smith in Lost in Space.

Television Stardom

All in the Family

All in the family october 27 1973
Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton in All in the Family, 1973

In 1968, producer Norman Lear asked O'Connor to star in a new TV show. The show was first called Justice For All. It was about a character named Archie Justice, who was a prejudiced person but still had some good qualities. The show later moved to CBS and was renamed All in the Family. The main character's last name was changed to Bunker. The show was based on a British TV series called Till Death Us Do Part.

O'Connor's own background helped Lear decide to set the show in Queens, New York. Lear wanted a famous actor for the main role. O'Connor accepted the part because he didn't think the show would be successful. He even asked for a return plane ticket to Italy, thinking he would go back when the show failed.

But All in the Family became a huge hit! It was the most-watched show on American television for five years in a row.

Even though O'Connor had liberal personal views, he understood the character of Archie Bunker very well. He played Archie with humor and also showed his vulnerable side. Archie Bunker was known for using words incorrectly, which is called a malapropism. But Carroll O'Connor was actually a very educated person.

The show also starred Jean Stapleton as Archie's wife, Edith Bunker. Rob Reiner played Archie's liberal son-in-law, Michael "Meathead" Stivic. Sally Struthers played Gloria, Archie and Edith's daughter.

All in the Family talked about many important and sometimes difficult topics. These included race, religion, class, and politics. It was different from other sitcoms because it dealt with serious social issues. Archie Bunker's popularity made O'Connor a very big star in the 1970s.

O'Connor was worried about being known only for this one role. But he also protected his character and the show. He had a contract disagreement with Norman Lear during the fifth season. Eventually, O'Connor got a raise and stayed with the show until it ended. He won four Emmy Awards for playing Archie Bunker.

Rob Reiner, who played Mike, said that O'Connor taught him a lot about acting. He said that O'Connor brought his "humanity" to the character. This showed that even though Archie had strong views, he was still a feeling person who loved his family.

Archie Bunker's Place

After nine seasons, All in the Family ended. But the story continued with a new show called Archie Bunker's Place. This show ran for four more years. Jean Stapleton, who played Edith, appeared in a few episodes. In the second season, her character, Edith, died. This left Archie to deal with the loss. The show was canceled in 1983. O'Connor was upset about the cancellation because he felt the show ended too suddenly.

In the Heat of the Night

O'Connor later starred as Police Chief Bill Gillespie in In the Heat of the Night. This show was based on a book and a movie. It started on NBC in 1988 and was very popular. O'Connor even cast his son, Hugh O'Connor, as Officer Lonnie Jamison in the show.

In 1989, O'Connor had heart surgery. He missed a few episodes of the show because of this. He later became one of the show's executive producers. The series moved to CBS in 1992 and ended in 1994. O'Connor continued to play Chief Gillespie in four TV movies after the series ended.

While working on the show, O'Connor also recorded a Christmas song. He joined other cast members and country music stars for a Christmas CD.

Career Honors and Awards

Carroll O'Connor received many awards and honors for his acting.

  • Golden Globe Award: 1972, for All in the Family
  • Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: 1972, 1977, 1978, and 1979, for All in the Family
  • George Foster Peabody Broadcasting Award: 1980, for the Archie Alone episode of Archie Bunker's Place
  • Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: 1989, for In the Heat of the Night
  • Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama: 1989, for In the Heat of the Night
  • Television Academy Hall of Fame: He was added to the Hall of Fame in 1990 for his important work in television.
  • NAACP Image Award: 1992 and 1993, for In the Heat of the Night as Best Dramatic Series.

He is the only male actor to win the main acting Emmy Award in both comedy and drama series.

In 1973, his college fraternity gave him its highest honor. In March 2000, Carroll O'Connor received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Personal Life

In 1962, while filming in Rome, Carroll O'Connor and his wife Nancy adopted a six-day-old baby boy. They named him Hugh O'Connor, after Carroll's brother who had passed away. Hugh later worked on the set of Archie Bunker's Place. Carroll O'Connor then created the role of Officer Lonnie Jamison on In the Heat of the Night for his son.

Carroll O'Connor was a devoted Catholic and regularly attended church services.

In 1989, he had heart bypass surgery and stopped smoking after 30 years.

In 1997, the O'Connors gave $1 million to their old college, the University of Montana. The university named a special center, the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West, in their honor. Carroll O'Connor also taught screenwriting at the university.

Death

Carroll O'Connor grave at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Brentwood, California
Carroll O'Connor's grave

Carroll O'Connor passed away on June 21, 2001, at age 76. He died in Culver City, California, from a heart attack. This was caused by problems from diabetes.

His funeral was held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. Many of his co-stars from All in the Family, like Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers, were there. His good friend Larry Hagman and other cast members from In the Heat of the Night also attended. Actor Martin Sheen gave a speech at the funeral.

O'Connor was buried at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery. His son Hugh's memorial was placed on his gravestone.

After his death, TV Land showed a continuous marathon of All in the Family to honor his career. They also showed interviews with O'Connor and others who worked with him. His wife, Nancy Fields O'Connor, passed away in 2014.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1950 Convicted Prison Guard uncredited
1958 The Defiant Ones Truck Driver uncredited
1961 A Fever in the Blood Matt Keenan
1961 Parrish Fierchief uncredited
1961 By Love Possessed Bernie Breck
1962 Lonely Are the Brave Hinton
1962 Lad: A Dog Hamilcar Q. Glure
1963 Cleopatra Casca
1965 In Harm's Way Lieutenant Commander Burke
1966 What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? General Bolt
1966 Hawaii Charles Bromley
1966 Not with My Wife, You Don't! General Maynard C. Parker
1967 Warning Show Paul Jerez
1967 Point Blank Brewster
1967 Waterhole#3 Sheriff John Copperud
1968 The Devil's Brigade Major General Maxwell Hunter
1968 For Love of Ivy Frank Austin
1969 Death of a Gunfighter Lester Locke
1969 Marlowe Lieutenant Christy French
1970 Kelly's Heroes General Colt
1971 Doctors' Wives Dr. Joe Gray
1974 Law & Disorder Willie
1998 Gideon Leo Barnes
2000 Return to Me Marty O'Reily

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1951 The Whiteheaded Boy Donagh Brosnan TV Movie
1960 The Citadel unknown role TV Movie
1960 Sunday Showcase Frederick Katzman 2 episodes
1960 The United States Steel Hour Tom O'Bryne "Shadow of a Pale Horse"
1960 Adventures in Paradise Henry Greshham "Hangman's Island"
1960 Shirley Temple's Storybook Appleyard "The Black Arrow"
1960–61 Armstrong Circle Theatre Doc Turner/Rudolf Höß/Rudolf Höess/Stanley Morgan 4 episodes
1961 Play of the Week unknown role "He Who Gets Slapped"
1961 The Aquanauts The Lieutenant "The Double Adventure"
1961 The Americans Captain Garbor "The Coward"
1962–62 The Untouchables Arnie Kurtz/Barney Lubin 2 episodes
1962 Belle Sommers Mr. Griffith TV Movie
1962 Naked City Tony Corran/Owen Oliver 2 episodes
1962–63 The Dick Powell Theatre Dr. Lyman Savage/Leonard Barsevick 2 episodes
1962–63 The Defenders Dr. Hugh Morgan/Joshua Ryder 2 episodes
1962–65 Ben Casey Dr. Wendel Clarke/Father Joseph McGavin 2 episodes
1962–65 Dr. Kildare David Burnside/Roy Drummond 2 episodes
1963 Death Valley Days Senator Dave Broderick "A Gun Is Not a Gentleman"
1963 Stoney Burke Harry Clark "Web of Fear"
1963 Alcoa Premiere Charles Compion "The Dark Labyrinth"
1963 The Eleventh Hour Dr. Ben Conway "Pressure Breakdown"
1963 Bonanza Tom Slayen "The Boss"
1963 East Side/West Side George Audette 1 episode
1963 The Silver Burro unknown role TV Movie
1963 The DuPont Show of the Week N.S. Kellogg "The Silver Burro"
1963–64 The Great Adventure Johann Sutter/O'Rourke 2 episodes
1964 The Outer Limits Deimos "Controlled Experiment"
1964 The Fugitive Sheriff Bray "Flight from the Final Demon"
1964 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Walter B. Brach "The Green Opal Affair"
1964 Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Old John "Long Live the King"
1964 The Yellowbird unknown role TV Movie
1964–66 Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre Captain Ted Eyck/Lawson 2 episodes
1965 Profiles in Courage Grover Cleveland "Grover Cleveland"
1965 Slattery's People Lieutenant Wayne Altman/Victor Newleaf 2 episodes
1966 I Spy Karolyi "It's All Done with Mirrors"
1966 The Time Tunnel General Southall/Colonel Phil Southall "The Last Patrol"
1966 The Wild Wild West Fabian Lavendor 1 episode
1966–67 Gunsmoke Major Vanscoy/Hootie Kyle 2 episodes
1967 Mission: Impossible Josef Varsh "The Trial"
1967 That Girl Giuseppe Casanetti "A Tenor's Loving Care"
1967 Dundee and the Culhane McJames "The Duelist Brief"
1968 Premiere James Van Ducci "Walk in the Sky"
1968 Justice for All Archie Justice TV Movie
1968–79 All in the Family Archie Bunker/Archie Justice series regular (208 episodes)
1969 Fear No Evil Myles Donovan TV Movie
1969 The Magical World of Disney Mr. Davis 2 episodes
1967–70 Insight Kelly/Clerk 2 episodes
1969–70 The Governor & J.J. Orrin Hacker 2 episodes
1971 Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In Himself (Guest Performer) "Carroll O'Connor"
1971 The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour The CBS Censor "Glenn Ford, Carroll O'Connor, Robert Merrill,Harvey Korman,Steve Martin"
1971 Dinah's Place Himself (Guest) 12.28.1971
1971–73 The Dean Martin Show Himself (Guest) 2 episodes
1972 Of Thee I Sing John P. Wintergreen TV Movie
1972 The ABC Comedy Hour Himself (Guest) "The Friars Roast Sammy Davis Jr."
1972 The Electric Company Himself (Guest) "166"
1972–89 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Himself (Guest) 10 episodes
1973 The TV Comedy Years unknown role TV Movie
1974 Dinah! Himself (Guest) 3 episodes
1974–76 Tony Orlando and Dawn Himself (Guest) 3 episodes
1975 Sammy and Company Himself (Guest) "Carroll O'Connor/Vicki Lawrence/Waylon Jennings/Willie Tyler & Lester"
1976 American Bandstand Himself (Guest) "#19.37"
1976 Saturday Night Live Himself (uncredited) "Norman Lear/Boz Scaggs"
1977 The Last Hurrah Frank Skeffington TV Movie
1977 The Jacksons Himself (Guest) "Carroll O'Connor"
1977 An All-Star Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor Himself Documentary
1979–83 Archie Bunker's Place Archie Bunker series regular (97 episodes)
1982 Gloria Archie Bunker "Gloria, the First Day"
1985 Brass Frank Nolan TV Movie
1985 The GLO Friends Save Christmas Santa Claus (voice role) TV Movie
1986 The Redd Foxx Show Paty Cleary "Old Buddies"
1986 Convicted Lewis May TV Movie
1987 The Father Clements Story Cardinal Cody TV Movie
1988–95 In the Heat of the Night Chief/Sheriff William O. "Bill" Gillespie series regular (146 episodes)
1989–91 The Arsenio Hall Show Himself (Guest) 2 episodes
1996 Party of Five Jacob Gordon/Jake Gordon recurring role (6 episodes)
1996–99 Mad About You Gus Stemple recurring role (4 episodes)
1997 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Himself (Guest) #5.134"
1998 The Rosie O'Donnell Show Himself (Guest) "03.04.1998"
1999 36 Hours to Die Jack "Balls" O'Malley TV Movie
2000 Donny & Marie Himself (Guest) "04.24.2000"
2000 E! True Hollywood Story Himself "All in the Family"
2001 Biography Himself "Carroll O'Connor: All in the Family"

Theater

Year Title Role Notes
1959 God and Kate Murphy Patrick Molloy understudy/Assistant Stage Manager 12 performances
1983 Brothers Jim/Director 7 previews; 1 performance
1985 Home Front Bob 11 previews; 13 performances

as Other

Year Title Contribution Role Notes
1971–79 All in the Family Composer/Lyricist/Performer Composer/Lyricist: Closing theme "Remembering You" (194 episodes)
Performer: "Those Were the Days" (207 episodes)
1973 Carroll O'Connor Special Writer Himself TV Special
1979–83 Archie Bunker's Place Composer Closing theme (97 episodes)
1975–76 Bronk Creator/Executive Producer/Executive Consultant Creator (25 episodes)
Executive Producer: "Pilot"
Executive Consultant (24 episodes)
1977 The Banana Company Executive Producer TV Movie
1977 The Last Hurrah Executive Producer/Writer TV Movie
1979 Bender Executive Producer TV Movie
1980–82 Archie Bunker's Place Director/Story Editor/Writer Director (9 episodes)
Story Editor: 27 episodes
Writer: 1 episode
Story by: 2 episodes
1981 Man, Myth and Titans Writer TV Movie Documentary (Teleplay)
1985 Brass Executive Producer/Writer TV Movie
1986 The Merv Griffin Show Music 7.11.1986 Music: "Remembering You"
1986 The Redd Foxx Show Director/Writer "Old Buddies"
1988–95 In the Heat of the Night Director/Story Editor/Writer/Supervising Producer/Executive Producer/Lyricist Director (4 episodes)
Story Editor (46 episodes)
Writer (20 episodes)
Story by (4 episodes)
Teleplay (3 episodes)
Supervising Producer (Episode: "Fairest of Them All")
Executive Producer (115 episodes)
Lyricist: (2 episodes)
— "When the Music Stopped" (1992); Original Song "About a Mile"
— "Ches and the Grand Lady" (1994); Original Song "Gray Sundays In"

Accolades

Emmy Awards

Year/Ceremony Category Title Results Ref
1971 – 23rd Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series All in the Family Nominated
1972 – 24th Primetime Emmy Awards Won
1973 – 25th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominated
1974 – 26th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominated
1975 – 27th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominated
1977 – 29th Primetime Emmy Awards Won
1978 – 30th Primetime Emmy Awards Won
1979 – 31st Primetime Emmy Awards Won
1989 – 41st Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series In the Heat of the Night Won
Hall of Fame Television Honoree

Golden Globes

Year/Ceremony Category Title Results Ref
1972 — 29th Golden Globes Best Performance by an Actor in a Television — Comedy or Musical All in the Family Won
1973 – 30th Golden Globes Nominated
1974 — 31st Golden Globes Nominated
1975 – 32nd Golden Globes Nominated
1976 — 33rd Golden Globes Nominated
1978 – 34th Golden Globes Nominated
1989 – 45th Golden Globes Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Drama In the Heat of the Night Nominated
1990 – 46th Golden Globes Nominated
1991 – 47th Golden Globes Nominated
1992 – 49th Golden Globes Nominated
1994 – 51st Golden Globes Nominated

Walk of Fame

Year/Ceremony Category Result Ref
2000 – March 17, 2000 Television — 7080 Hollywood, Blvd. Honoree

See also

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