Sally Struthers turns 78 on July 28, 2025, and to anyone who grew up watching All in the Family, she’ll always be Gloria Stivic, Archie Bunker’s outspoken daughter who stood her ground and stole scenes with a single expression. My fellow Millennials also know her as the always-chatty Babette in Gilmore Girls. But despite those iconic roles, Struthers still works continuously: in recent years, she’s appeared on stage in musicals such as Hello, Dolly! and Annie. Most recently, she returned to TV in 2024 with a role in the Netflix series A Man on the Inside, opposite Ted Danson.
Here are six fascinating facts about the Emmy-winning actress:
She was discovered dancing on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
Before she was an actress, Struthers was a dancer who brought her unique brand of energy to TV performance gigs. Norman Lear spotted her goofing off in a comedy bit on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and thought she might be the right fit for his new sitcom — great news for Struthers, as she had just been let go from The Tim Conway Comedy Hour because network executives said she made the show look too cheap. Struthers beat out other contenders like Penny Marshall, and stepped into a role that would define her early career. She later won two Emmys for her performance and became a household name practically overnight.
She’s voiced some surprising characters
While her face is familiar, her voice has also made a mark — thought you may not have realized that it was Struthers you were hearing. In the ’70s, she voiced teenage Pebbles Flintstone in The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show; later on, in the ’90s, she used her vocal talents to play Rebecca Cunningham on Disney’s TaleSpin and Charlene Sinclair in Dinosaurs. Kids who grew up watching these shows might not have known it was the same woman who sparred with Archie Bunker, but Struthers brought that same spirited energy to every character she played.
She tried to leave All in the Family, and it cost her $40,000
As beloved as Gloria was, Struthers didn’t always love playing her. After a few seasons, she grew frustrated with how little her character evolved and wanted out. She attempted to break her contract and spent $40,000 in legal fees trying to leave the show, but in the end, she was unsuccessful and stuck around until season eight. She later said that the sixth through eighth seasons were the only ones she truly enjoyed, according to the New York Post.
She’s been a theater powerhouse for decades
Struthers found a second home on the stage, especially in regional and touring productions. She’s played everyone from Miss Hannigan in Annie to Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! and even Mother Superior in Nunsense in performances across the country, from Ogunquit, Maine, to Oklahoma City. She’s been especially beloved at the Ogunquit Playhouse, where she’s returned year after year for new productions.
She turned down $1 million to appear in Playboy
In the early ’70s, Struthers was offered a whopping one million dollars to pose nude for Playboy magazine. At the time, it was a bold offer, and the prestige and the paycheck tempted many actresses, but Struthers declined, not wanting it in her portfolio.
She starred as Tiger Lily in a strange version of Alice in Wonderland
In Irwin Allen‘s 1985 made‑for‑TV musical adaptation of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking‑Glass, Struthers appeared as Tiger Lily. The two‑part special featured an all‑star cast and aired in December 1985 on CBS. Her cameo was among many memorable roles in that whimsical production. The project brought together dozens of big names, including Sammy Davis Jr., Carol Channing, Telly Savalas and more.
