With hundreds of television channels and streaming at our fingertips, we have so many choices of what to watch that it can get downright overwhelming. But, sometimes, nothing is better than flipping on an old-school sitcom, like All in the Family. Groundbreaking and sometimes controversial, the show introduced Americans to some of the most compelling and memorable characters – among them Archie and Edith Bunker and George and Louise Jefferson – in television history. Pennsylvania has ties to the show, too, as Jean Stapleton, the actress who flawlessly portrayed Edith, lived here for a quarter of a century. Her gravesite is in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
Say the name Jean Stapleton and it’s probably fair to say that most people will immediately think of Edith Bunker, the flighty but sweet wife of the ill-tempered Archie, played by Carroll O’Connor.
But her story begins long before Edith Bunker became a household name. Born Jeanne Murray in Manhattan in 1923, Jean’s mother, Marie, was an opera singer, and her father, Joseph, was a salesman. Performing ran in her family as her older brother, Jack, also became an actor.
Like many during that era, Stapleton got her acting start in theater, performing in off-Broadway plays when she was 18 and eventually landed roles in such Broadway shows as Funny Girl and Damn Yankees.
Her Broadway career segued into television roles, and she appeared on a range of popular shows, including The Patty Duke Show, My Three Sons, and Dennis the Menace. Her first feature film credits came in 1961 with Something Wild.
Stapleton landed the career-defining role of Edith Bunker in 1971, alongside O’Connor, in All in the Family. Her portrayal of Edith resulted in two Golden Globes and three Emmy Awards.
However, by the time All in the Family ended in 1979, Stapleton was ready to move on. She briefly joined O’Connor in Archie Bunker’s Place, the follow-up to the original, but her character died of a stroke early in the series.
After she bid farewell to Edith Bunker, Stapleton continued acting, appearing on numerous television shows and voicing Grandma Ollie on several video games.
Her career accomplishments were recognized in 2002 when she was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame and the American Theater Hall of Fame.
Stapleton passed away, from natural causes, at 90 on May 31, 2013, in Manhattan and was cremated in New York. Her remains were buried with her husband, William Putch, in Lincoln Cemetery in Chambersburg.
She was married to Putch for 26 years, during which time they lived in Chambersburg, until his death in 1983.
Did you know that Jean Stapleton’s gravesite is in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania? Are you a fan of the beloved American actress? Let us know in the comments! If you visit, grab a bite at Greenvillage Drive-In Family Restaurant, a restaurant in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Stop by then spend the night at a charming Vrbo.
