Jean Stapleton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jean Stapleton
Stapleton at the 31st Tony Awards on June 5, 1977
Born	Jeanne Murray (1923-01-19)January 19, 1923 New York City, U.S.
Died	May 31, 2013(2013-05-31) (aged 90) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1941–2001
Spouse(s)	William H. Putch ​ ​ (m. 1957; died 1983)​
Children	2, including John Putch

Jean Stapleton (born Jeanne Murray; January 19, 1923 – May 31, 2013) was a talented American actress. She performed on stage, in movies, and on television.

Stapleton was most famous for playing Edith Bunker. Edith was the always-optimistic and loving wife of Archie Bunker on the 1970s TV show All in the Family. This role earned her three Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress in a comedy. She also appeared in the show's follow-up, Archie Bunker's Place. However, she decided to leave that show early because she felt her character's story was complete.

Early Life and Inspiration

Jean Stapleton was born on January 19, 1923, in Manhattan, New York City. Her mother, Marie A. Stapleton, was an opera singer. Her father, Joseph E. Murray, sold billboard advertising.

Jean had an older brother named Jack. Her uncle was a Vaudeville performer, and her brother was a stage actor. Seeing her family in entertainment inspired Jean to become an actress too.

Beginning Her Acting Career

Jean Stapleton started her acting journey in 1941 when she was 18. She began in summer stock theatre, which are plays performed during the summer. Her first New York performance was in the play American Gothic.

She also starred in several popular Broadway musicals. These included Funny Girl, Juno, Damn Yankees, and Bells Are Ringing. She even played her roles from Damn Yankees (1958) and Bells Are Ringing (1960) in the movie versions. Damn Yankees was her first film.

Early TV and Movie Roles

Stapleton appeared in many early television shows. Some of these were Starlight Theatre, Robert Montgomery Presents, and Lux Video Theater. She also had roles in popular shows like The Patty Duke Show, Dr. Kildare, My Three Sons, and Dennis the Menace.

In 1962, she guest-starred in The Defenders. In this episode, she worked with Carroll O'Connor, who would later become her co-star in All in the Family.

Jean Stapleton also acted in movies like Something Wild (1961) and Up the Down Staircase (1967). She was also in the films Klute (1971) and the comedy Cold Turkey (1971).

In 1971, Jean Stapleton won a Primetime Emmy award for "Best Actress in a Comedy." She was offered a role in the movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) as Mrs. Teevee. However, she turned it down because it conflicted with the start of All in the Family.

Starring in All in the Family

Jean Stapleton's most famous role was as Edith Bunker in All in the Family. The show first aired on the CBS network on January 12, 1971. It ran for nine seasons, with a total of 205 episodes, ending on April 8, 1979.

Stapleton with Carroll O'Connor (left) and guest star James O'Rear, in a 1973 episode of All in the Family

Stapleton (left) beside Carroll O'Connor on the set of All in the Family

Her portrayal of Edith earned her three Emmys and two Golden Globes. After the main show ended, she continued playing Edith for five more episodes in the follow-up series, Archie Bunker's Place. She did this to help the show transition. After that, her character Edith was written out of the show.

Later Acting Roles

After All in the Family, Jean Stapleton continued to act in many projects. She appeared in the Emmy Award-winning TV movie Tail Gunner Joe (1977). She also guest-starred on The Muppet Show in 1978.

In 1979, she played the main role in the TV movie Aunt Mary. This film told the true story of Mary Dobkin, a children's advocate from Baltimore. In 1982, Stapleton played Eleanor Roosevelt in the TV movie Eleanor, First Lady of the World. This role earned her nominations for Emmy and Golden Globe awards.

Guest Appearances and Films

During the 1980s, she made guest appearances in several TV series. These included two episodes of Faerie Tale Theatre, where she played the Giant's Wife in "Jack and the Beanstalk" and the Fairy Godmother in "Cinderella". She also appeared on Scarecrow and Mrs. King and The Love Boat.

Stapleton co-starred in the film The Buddy System (1984) with Susan Sarandon and Richard Dreyfuss. She also played Ariadne Oliver in the 1986 TV movie Dead Man's Folly. She was offered the role of Jessica Fletcher in the TV series Murder, She Wrote, but she turned it down. That role then went to Angela Lansbury.

From 1990 to 1991, Stapleton co-starred with Whoopi Goldberg in the TV series Bagdad Cafe. In 1994, she played Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle in a children's TV series based on the popular books.

In 1996, Stapleton appeared in the educational show Beakman's World as Beakman's mother, Beakmom. She also guest-starred on Everybody Loves Raymond and Murphy Brown. That same year, she acted alongside John Travolta in the movie Michael.

Jean Stapleton also lent her voice to a video game called Grandma Ollie's Morphabet Soup. The game won a Teacher's Choice Award. In 1998, she voiced Mrs. Jenkins in Disney's animated film Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World. She also appeared in the movie You've Got Mail. From 1998, Stapleton performed her "Eleanor Roosevelt" character in a one-woman show in live theaters.

Her final acting role was in the 2001 TV movie Like Mother, Like Son: The Strange Story of Sante and Kenny Kimes.

Jean Stapleton was honored for her amazing career. She was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame and the Television Hall of Fame in 2002.

Personal Life

Jean Stapleton was married to William Putch from 1957 until he passed away in 1983. They had two children: John Putch, who became an actor, writer, and director, and Pamela Putch, a television producer.

For 30 years, William Putch directed a summer stock theater called Totem Pole Playhouse in Pennsylvania. Jean Stapleton often performed there with the acting company. Jean's brother, Jack Stapleton, was also a stage actor.

Jean Stapleton was a member of the Christian Science church. It's a common mistake, but she was not related to actress Maureen Stapleton.

She supported Walter Mondale's presidential campaign in 1984. She also strongly supported the Equal Rights Amendment and was active in the 1977 National Women's Conference.

Jean Stapleton rarely appeared on talk shows. However, she reunited with her All in the Family co-star Carroll O'Connor on Donny and Marie Osmond's show in 2000. When asked to speak in Edith Bunker's voice, she jokingly said she only did it "for pay." She admitted that she didn't often watch All in the Family herself, but by 2000, she started to reconsider.

Death and Tributes

Jean Stapleton passed away at her apartment in Manhattan on May 31, 2013. She was 90 years old.

Many people shared their thoughts and memories of her. Norman Lear, the creator of All in the Family, said, "No one gave more profound 'how to be a human being' lessons than Jean Stapleton." Actress Roseanne Barr described Stapleton's acting range as "unbelievable, deep, and majestic." Her co-star Rob Reiner said, "Working with her was one of the greatest experiences of my life." Sally Struthers, who played her daughter on All in the Family, called her "just a walking, living angel."

To honor her memory, the marquee lights on Broadway were dimmed for one minute on June 5, 2013. Jean Stapleton is buried in Lincoln Cemetery in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Filmography

Films

Television

See also

In Spanish: Jean Stapleton para niños