Jean Stapleton

Infobox actor
bgcolour = green
name = Jean Stapleton


imagesize =
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birthname = Jeanne Murray
birthdate = birth date and age|1923|01|19
location = New York City, New York, USA
spouse = William H. Putch (1956–1983)
yearsactive = 1952-present
emmyawards = Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
1971 "All in the Family"
1972 "All in the Family"
1978 "All in the Family
goldenglobeawards = Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy
1973 "All in the Family"
1974 "All in the Family"
tonyawards =

Jean Stapleton (born Jeanne Murray on January 19, 1923 in New York City, New York) is an American character actress of stage, television and film. Stapleton is best known for her portrayal of Edith Baines Bunker, the long-suffering, yet devoted wife of Archie Bunker (played by Carroll O'Connor) and mother of Gloria Bunker-Stivic (played by Sally Struthers), on the 1970s situation comedy "All in the Family." She was also seen in the All in the Family sequel "Archie Bunker's Place", but left that show after one season. In 1982, Jean portrayed Eleanor Roosevelt in a television production of the First Lady's later life. Critics noticed the slight physical resemblance between the two women, which worked to the program's advantage. In 1998, and for a few years afterward, Stapleton took her "Eleanor" characterization to live theaters, now adapted as a one-woman show.

Stapleton's awards for "All in the Family" include three Emmys [List of Primetime Emmy Award winners] and two Golden Globes. Jean was offered a role in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but declined because it coincided with the production of the "All in the Family" pilot.

She began her New York career in "American Gothic," an Off Broadway play. She has been featured on Broadway in several hit musicals, such as "Damn Yankees", "Funny Girl," "Bells Are Ringing", and "Juno."

Stapleton has also acted in made-for-TV movies and feature films such as "Klute," which starred Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland, the zany comedy "Cold Turkey" and the "Faerie Tale Theatre" episode "Cinderella" as the fairy godmother. She also had a recurring role on TV's "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" as a British spy. Stapleton appeared in the 1999 movie "You've Got Mail" as a close co-worker in whom Meg Ryan's character confides. She is said to have declined the lead on "Murder, She Wrote" with the role eventually going Angela Lansbury. Stapleton also performed in "Touched By An Angel" as an angel named Emma. She also co-starred in Bagdad Café (TV Series) with Whoopi Goldberg, the TV series based on the movie of the same name

On June 21, 2001, though Stapleton was devastated to hear that her series' star, Carroll O'Connor, had died, she was the only "All in the Family" star not to attend his funeral, because of a commitment on stage.

Stapleton's husband, William H. Putch, with whom she had two children, (actor/writer/director John Putch and actress Pamela Putch), died in 1983. Her husband directed a summer stock theater, Totem Pole Playhouse, at Caledonia State Park in Pennsylvania for 30 years. Stapleton performed occasionally at the theatre with the resident company. Stapleton is not related to actress Maureen Stapleton. Stapleton is Jean's mother's maiden name. Jean Stapleton has relatives in show business, including actress cousin Betty Jane Watson.

References

External links

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* [http://www.totempoleplayhouse.org/ Totem Pole Playhouse]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFrY_8s0yJU Archive of American Television Interview with Jean Stapleton (2000)]