Jean Stapleton (1923 – 2013)

Jean Stapleton, known best as the sweet and devoted “dingbat” wife of Archie Bunker on “All in the Family” has died. She was 90 years old.

Audiences adored Stapleton’s character Edith Bunker.  She was optimistic and joyful which combined with Carroll O’Conner’s grouchy and insulting Archie, made them the perfect television couple. Stapleton played the submissive wife so well that fans in the studio audience and at home would explode in cheers and laughter during those rare times when Edith did stand up to Archie.  And Edith’s shrill and off-key singing voice made “Those Were The Days” one of the most popular TV theme songs of all time.

Jean Stapleton was a veteran of Broadway, appearing in the original casts of “Bells are Ringing”, “Damn Yankees” and “Funny Girl,” with Barbra Streisand. She won 3 Emmy Awards for her work on “All in the Family”.

Read more at nytimes.com

Edith finally lets Archie have it.