Jean Stapleton Movies
Each and every week from 1971 to 1980, the popular TV sitcom All in the Family was heralded by the glass-shattering offkey singing of Edith Bunker, aka "Dingbat." This tended to obscure the fact that Jean Stapleton, the woman who so brilliantly portrayed Edith not only possessed a lilting, well-modulated singing voice, but also was as far removed as possible from a "dingbat" in real life. While attending Hunter College, Stapleton began her performing career as a member of the Robert Shaw Chorale. She made her professional stage debut in 1941, then went on to fruitful work-study associations with the American Apprentice Theater, the American Actors Company, the American Theater Wing, and director-acting coach Harold Clurman. Her first Broadway appearance was in the 1953 production In the Summer House; the following year, she made her TV bow as a semi-regular on the daytime drama Woman With a Past. She endeared herself to Broadwayites with her wistfully funny characterizations in the SRO musicals Damn Yankees, Bells Are Ringing, and Funny Girl, roles that she would carry over into the film versions of these hits. In 1958, she made her first appearance at the Totem Pole Playhouse in Fayetteville, PA, a summer-stock operation managed by her husband, Bill Putch.Most of Stapleton's onscreen work in the 1960s and 1970s could be found in New York-based movies (Something Wild, Up the Down Staircase, Klute) and TV series (Car 54, Where Are You, The Defenders, The Patty Duke Show). Her earliest association with producer-director Norman Lear occurred in the 1969 theatrical feature Cold Turkey, in which she played a neurotic housewife named Edith. When Lear began assembling the cast for his upcoming TV sitcom All in the Family, he immediately thought of Stapleton for the role of slow-witted, strident, essentially kindhearted Bronx housewife Edith Bunker. Before leaving the series in 1980, Stapleton earned three Emmy Awards for her portrayal of Edith -- not to mention the undying affection of millions.
Once free of All in the Family, she sought out roles that she hoped would demonstrate her versatility: She played the distraught mother of a drug-addicted teenager (enacted by her real-life son, John Putch) in the made-for-TV Angel Dusted (1981), and effectively portrayed Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1982 TV biopic Eleanor: First Lady of the World. Stapleton kept her comic skills sharpened by appearing in the made-for-cable productions of Shelley Duvall: She was terrific as a no-nonsense Fairy Godmother ("Trust me. This is important.") in Duvall's Faerie Tale Theater adaptation of Cinderella, and even better as the title characters in Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. In 1990, she briefly returned to weekly television as co-star (with Whoopi Goldberg) of the offbeat sitcom Bagdad Café. Jean Stapleton was then an infrequent but always welcome TV guest-star presence; in 1995, she startled (and delighted) her Edith Bunker fans with her con brio portrayal of Lea Thompson's sex-starved aunt in an episode of Caroline in the City. In 1998 she had a major part in the romantic comedy You've Got Mail, and that same year she voiced a character in Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1975
An old sitcom plot line is given a fresh new workout in this episode of All in the Family. Receiving a chain letter from superstitious Edith, Archie and Mike laugh off the "dire predictions" catalogued therein and disdainfully throw the letter away. But then, both men experiencing an uncanny streak of bad luck. Future Benson star Robert Guillaume appears as the doctor. Written by Lou Derman and Milt Josefsberg, "Chain Letter" originally aired on October 20, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1975
While fondly recalling the opening theme music of The Milton Berle Show, Gloria and Mike receive a letter stating that Gloria has been fired from her job. Once Mike has come to grips with the fact that he will be forced to be the family breadwinner, a new plot tangent develops when Gloria's chauvinistic boss (George Furth) admits that he fired her because she is pregnant -- and then virtually dares her to do something about it. Carroll O'Connor does not appear in this episode. Written by Mel Tolkin and Larry Rhine, "Mike Faces Life" first aired on October 27, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner, (more)
- 1975
Archie basks in the adulation of his friends and family when, while moonlighting as a cabdriver, he uses mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to save the life of an attractive passenger named Beverly LaSalle. But when the grateful passenger shows up at the Bunker doorstep, Archie is appalled to discover that "she" is a "he" -- a professional female impersonator. Lori Shannon makes his first series appearance as the cross-dressing Beverly. Written by Lou Derman, Bill Davenport, and Larry Rhine, "Archie the Hero" originally aired on September 29, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1975
Resigned to the fact that he is going to be a father, Mike is likewise willing to go along with Gloria's "natural childbirth" plans. In theory, it sounds great, but when Mike begins to contemplate the notion of actually being present in the delivery room while Gloria gives birth, the old familiar qualms set in. The supporting cast includes Francine Beers as Sybil Gooley. Written by Lou Derman and Milt Josefsberg, "Mike's Pains" was originally telecast on October 6, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1975
Bernadette Peters guest stars as Linda Galloway, a sexy college student in need of special tutoring. Since Linda is one of Mike's students, he takes on the task of getting her through the finals. But Mike is not quite prepared for the fact that Linda finds him to be a very attractive man -- nor does this fact escape the notice of a jealous Gloria. The script, by Lou Derman and Milt Josefsberg, is so adroitly constructed that for a few moments, even the audience is convinced that Mike will plunge headlong into infidelity. "Gloria Suspects Mike" originally aired on November 17, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1975
Thanksgiving dinner at the Bunkers' provides Archie with yet another opportunity to hit the ceiling. This time, Archie is outraged when Mike and Gloria announce that their baby will be raised without any sort of religious training. Though certainly no churchgoer himself, Archie is convinced that the couple has already consigned their unborn child to the Pit of Perdition, and he intends to do something about it. Written by Lou Derman, "The Little Atheist" was originally broadcast on November 24, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1975
Edith is happy with her volunteer job at the Sunshine Nursing Home -- too happy, as far as Archie is concerned. Feeling neglected, Archie pulls out the old "woman's place is in the home" routine and demands that Edith give up her job. This time, however, Edith refuses to say "How high?" when Archie tells her to jump. James Hong appears as the waiter. Written by Lou Derman and Bill Davenport, "Edith Breaks Out" originally aired on November 3, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1975
In order to pass a company physical, Archie must lower his normally high blood pressure. This means that Archie must remain absolutely calm, no matter what the provocation. Unfortunately, the family is in the midst of debate over the naming of Gloria's baby -- and it's still two days before the physical. Often credited to Michael Ross and Bernie West, this episode was actually written by Mel Tolkin and Larry Rhine. "Grandpa Blues" was first telecast on November 10, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1975
Pregnant Gloria's "due date" has come and gone. In fact, nine full days have passed since Gloria was supposed to have given birth. Frustrated beyond belief, Gloria explosively takes out her anger on Mike -- and before long even Edith has fallen victim to her daughter's crabbiness. Others in the cast include Robin Wilson as Sylvia, Garn Stephens as Dotty, and Madeline Fisher as Vicki. Written by Milt Josefsberg and Ben Starr, "Gloria Is Nervous" originally aired on December 8, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1975
While moonlighting as a cabbie, Archie is mugged. Reporting the crime to a cop named Garsky (Frank Campanella), Archie lets slip that he fended off the mugger with a concealed tear-gas pen. As a result, it is Archie who ends up being arrested for carrying an illegal weapon. Best line: "You ain't over-bright, are ya?" Paulene Myers appears as Judge Mackenzie, while future Trapper John MD regular Charles Siebert is cast as Mr. Sloan. Written by Larry Rhine and Mel Tokin, "Archie's Civil Rights" first aired on December 1, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1975
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Mike is finally able to pry the in-labor Gloria loose from a restaurant telephone booth and rush her to the hospital. Thanks to innumerable delays, it is grandparents Archie and Edith who arrive at the hospital first -- with Archie still in blackface from his lodge minstrel show, creating quite a spectacle indeed. The only calm member of the family is expectant mother Gloria, who keeps her cool all through the delivery while Mike suffers his own version of labor pains. This program made history as the first sitcom episode to show an actual live birth (courtesy of a pre-taped sequence). Best line: "Not now, Michael, I have a headache." Written by Milt Josefsberg and Ben Starr, Part two of "Birth of the Baby" first aired on December 22, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1975
In the first episode of a two-part story, Gloria suddenly goes into labor while she's stuck in a restaurant telephone booth. As Mike and Edith try to free Gloria and ship her to the hospital, Archie receives the news while applying blackface for a lodge minstrel show. Perhaps a bit overloaded with complications, the script by Larry Rhine and Mel Tolkin is undeniably one of the series' most memorable. Part one of "Birth of the Baby" first aired on December 15, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
Season five of All in the Family begins with a four-part story arc, in which Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor) faces a long stretch of unemployment during a union strike, while the other members of the Bunker household -- including wife Edith (Jean Stapleton) -- attempt to either tighten or fatten the family's bank account. In a later multi-episode storyline, Archie disappears en route to a lodge convention in Buffalo, leading the family to believe that he has met with an accident -- possibly a fatal one. This story arc was developed while Carroll O'Connor was making noises about leaving All in the Family because of creative financial and creative difference with producer Norman Lear. In the event that O'Connor made good his threat to leave the show, the producers commissioned a script in which Archie is killed in a car accident. Once the dispute was settled and O'Connor returned to the series, the "death" script was shelved, only to be dragged out several years later and rewritten as an episode of Good Times to accommodate the exit from that series of actor John Amos. During All in the Family's fifth season, the series passed its 100-episode milestone. This event was celebrated with an hour-long retrospective special, hosted by Henry Fonda. A few episodes later, the Bunkers' black next-door neighbors "move on up" to a Manhattan high rise, thereby launching their own spin-off series, The Jeffersons. And in the season's final installment, Mike (Rob Reiner) and Gloria (Sally Struthers) decide to finally move out of the Bunker household -- and into the newly vacated Jefferson house! ~ Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
Mike thinks that the husband should be the "aggressive" member of a married couple. Gloria claims she doesn't care, but Mike thinks he can read through the lines of her indifference. As a result, Mike and Gloria's romantic evening degenerates into a high-decibel argument. Focusing almost exclusively on series regulars Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers, this episode was written by Don Nicholl. "Mike and Gloria Mix It Up" first aired on January 5, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
The family is planning a 50th birthday party for Archie. The only one unwilling to enter into the festivities is Archie himself, who feels that he is old and useless. Then he takes a peek at his birth certificate -- and is he in for a surprise. The episode's level of humor is heightened by the attitude contrast between Archie and the octogenarian couple Quigley (Burt Mustin) and Jo (Ruth McDevitt). Written by Paul Lichtman, Howard Storm, and Don Nicholl, "Archie Feels Left Out" originally aired on January 12, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
Archie tries to help out his unemployed friend, Joe Tucker (Vic Tayback), who used to hold Archie's job at the loading dock. Things get dicey when it looks as though Joe is going to get his old job back -- and where does that leave Archie? A pre-Charlie's Angels David Doyle rounds out the supporting cast as Jim Sanders. Written by All in the Family story editors Bernie West and Michael Ross, "Et Tu, Archie" was first telecast on January 26, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
Richard Masur is cast as George Bushmill, a retarded grocery stockboy whom Gloria befriends. Intimidated by George's mental handicap, Archie unintentionally gets the boy fired from his job. Before Archie learns his inevitable lesson, he is neatly put in his place by George's dad (Joseph Mascolo); explaining that George's brain suffered a loss of oxygen at birth, Mr. Bushmill turns to Archie and asks "What's your excuse?" Written by Don Nicholl, "Gloria's Boyfriend" first aired on February 2, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
Lionel Jefferson's engagement party promises to be a fun occasion for everyone but Archie, who discovers that Lionel's dad, George Jefferson, does not want to invite him. Even so, Archie attends, only to get into an argument with George's indomitable mother. The episode ends with Archie and George once more finding out they have more in common than either man would wish. Zara Cully makes her first appearance as Mother Jefferson, a role she would carry over into the All in the Family spin-off The Jeffersons. Written by Michael Ross and Bernie West, "Lionel's Engagement" originally aired on February 9, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
The whole Bunker household is thrown into an uproar -- and the cause of it all is a dish of stew. Believing that he has eaten poison mushrooms, Archie is convinced he is at death's door. Richard Stahl and Jane Dulo head the supporting cast as Archie's doctor and nurse, respectively. Written by Michael Ross and Bernie West, "Archie Eats and Runs" first aired on February 16, 1974, a few weeks after series regular Jean Stapleton won a Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a Comedy/musical Series." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
When Gloria is depressed, everyone in the family suffers. The reason for Gloria's doldrums is her belief that she has fallen out of love with husband Mike. It is up to Edith to save the day -- and to again reveal that, when the chips are down, she is anything but a mere "dingbat." Written by All in the Family story editors Michael Ross and Bernie West, "Gloria Sings the Blues" made its first network appearance on March 2, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
George Jefferson's contention that Archie Bunker was placed on this earth just to make trouble for him seems to be confirmed when Archie accidentally pays George with a counterfeit 20-dollar bill. Much as it pains him, Archie bends over backward to rectify his error, only to make the situation even worse. Like many another fourth-season All in the Family episode, this one was written by Michael Ross and Bernie West. "Pay the Twenty Dollars" originally aired on March 9, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
Despite his fears and trepidations, Mike passes his final exams and graduates from college. No one is happier than Archie; at long last, Mike will be able to move out of the Bunker household. But Archie's exultation is brief, as it turns out that Mike will neither be gone nor forgotten (and you'll have to see the episode to find out why). Written by Don Nicholl, "Mike's Graduation" originally aired on March 16, 1974, as the final episode of All in the Family's fourth season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
Season four of All in the Family began on September 14, 1974, with the first of the series' multipart stories. "The Bunkers and Inflation" gets under way with the news that Archie's union is going on strike. The action could not happen at a worse time; the Bunkers' bank account is at an all-time low and the cost of living is at an all-time high. The first installment of a four-episode story arc, "The Bunkers and Inflation" was written by Don Nicholl, Michael Ross, and Bernie West. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
In the second episode of a four-part story arc, Archie's union is still on strike, and the Bunkers' household debts continue to mount. When Archie isn't on the picket line, he is sitting around the house wallowing in self-pity. Edith tries to put on a happy face, but even she is pushed to the breaking point by Archie's constant moping and the ever-tightening money supply. Written by Don Nicholl, Michael Ross, and Bernie West, "Archie Underfoot" first aired on September 21, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
In the third episode of a four-part story arc, Archie is still out of work as union negotiations continue to go round and round in circles. Despite the Bunkers' nearly empty bank account, Archie is dead set against Edith going to work. When he finally relents, Edith lands a job with dry-cleaning king George Jefferson -- who by no stretch of the imagination could be regarded as Archie's favorite person. Written by Don Nicholl, Michael Ross, and Bernie West, "Edith the Job Hunter" first aired on September 28, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
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