All in the Family, a pioneering American sitcom that aired from 1971 to 1979, is significant in television history. Norman Lear, its creator, ingeniously used the show to confront pressing social issues such as racism, sexism, and homophobia, presenting them through the prism of the blue-collar Bunker family.
Recently, Sally Struthers, renowned for her portrayal of Gloria Stivic, daughter of Archie and Edith Bunker and wife of Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the ’70s sitcom, opened up about the profound impact the show’s success had on her life.
Sally Struthers on how ‘All in the Family’ impacted her whole life
During a recent interview, the 76-year-old shared insights into her life during the heyday of All in the Family, revealing the significant impact it had on her personal life. She reflected on how her world transformed dramatically after the show’s success. “It became apparent rather quickly that my life had completely turned upside down,” Struthers noted.
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Struthers, who was married to psychiatrist William C. Rader, then delved into the challenges she faced in maintaining a balanced personal life amid the show’s popularity. She expressed how the constant attention from fans disrupted her ability to spend quality time with her husband as she was always burdened with inquiries about actor Rob Reiner, who portrayed the character of Michael Stivic. When they saw me with my real-life husband,” the actress admitted. “They [would] go, ‘Where’s your husband?’”
The ’70s sitcom series boosted her career
The actress highlighted that while instant fame comes with its challenges, it also yielded positive outcomes for her career, an aspect she expressed eternal gratitude for. Struthers explained that the exposure she got from All in the Family landed her numerous acting roles, even without an audition.
“And over the years the gratitude has grown because it continues to open doors, it sounds like I’m bragging. I’m not bragging. I’m always dumbfounded. I don’t have to audition for theater. I get offered parts. I get people who call and say, ‘We want Sally to do this for us this year,'” she confessed. “And that’s because they know that my name sells tickets and fills the seats. That wouldn’t have happened without the renown of ‘All in the Family.’ So, I’m grateful every day.”