The “All in the Family” star has died. Jean Stapleton, 90, died on Friday of natural causes in her New York City home.
The actress created Edith Bunker, a flighty housewife with a high-pitched voice and an abundance of family loyalty. Edith, along with her husband Archie, tested American viewers with its take on social issues.
While Stapleton viewed Edith as an oppressed woman who often followed the demands of her husband, viewers saw her as honest and compassionate. In most episodes, Edith would deflate Archie’s ego.
“It is with great love and heavy hearts that we say farewell to our collective Mother, with a capital M,” said her son and daughter, John and Pamela Putch, in a statement. Stapleton received eight Grammy nominations and won three of them while present in “All in the Family”.
The series broke through traditional American TV by making social and political punches. The show was ranked No. 1 for five of its eight years on air.
After “All in the Family” Stapleton went on to play roles such as President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s wife in “Eleanor”. She also made guest appearances on “Murphy Brown” and “Everybody Loves Raymond”. Stapleton also spent years working at the Totem Pole Playhouse near Harrisburg, Pa., which was owned by her husband William.
