Sally Struthers has spent decades captivating audiences on both screen and stage, and even at 78, she’s not slowing down. In a recent interview with People, the beloved actress shared how fans from every generation recognize her for different roles—a testament to her long, varied career that spans over five decades.
Many still assume Sally Struthers has retired since she’s not frequently seen on television. However, she laughs at that idea, revealing she’s been busier than ever performing in plays and national tours. “People come up to me and say, ‘We don’t see you on television anymore; are you retired?’” she recalled. “I tell them, ‘No, I do theater all over the country.’ They’ll say, ‘Oh, well, we don’t go to the theater.’”
Recognized By Fans of All Ages
While Sally Struthers remains known to older fans as Gloria Stivic from All in the Family, which earned her two Emmy Awards, younger viewers recognize her as Babette from Gilmore Girls or Virginia from her latest Netflix role in A Man on the Inside. She jokes that she doesn’t mind being called by any name, even if mistaken for another star, humorously recalling when someone once confused her with Shelley Winters.
Her ability to connect with audiences across generations shows her enduring versatility. Whether she’s on television, film, or the stage, Sally Struthers continues to bring warmth, humor, and authenticity to her performances.
Still Thriving On Stage
Currently starring as Mrs. Peck in An Old-Fashioned Family Murder at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, N.J., Sally says the stage feels like home. She finds theater thrilling because it challenges actors to perform without the safety net of multiple takes. “You make it real and make it funny,” she said, calling live theater “the Olympics of acting.”
At 78, she continues to work steadily—and joyfully—without the need for auditions. “That’s one of the payments for getting older,” she said. “People know your work, and they don’t make you audition anymore. It’s the most wonderful, delicious existence in the world.”