Carroll O’Connor's Jealousy Led to Stretch Cunningham Getting Killed Off On 'AITF'

[Brian Damage]

I asked James why he was written out of “All in the Family.” Back in the 70s, he caught on quickly as Archie Bunker’s best friend, Stretch Cunningham. But suddenly, just when Stretch could have turned into a supporting player, he was written out. The episode featuring his funeral–when Archie discovers that Stretch was Jewish–is classic TV. Cromwell isn’t even in the show, but he’s the star of it.

“Carroll O’Connor just didn’t want me on the show,” Cromwell conceded. Maybe he was getting too popular. “I was on set, and I told Sally Struthers I’d like to do more. She said, Carroll, we should get him to stay. He wouldn’t have it.”

Oh well: Cromwell’s been nominated for an Oscar, an Emmy, and four SAG Awards since then. His father, by the way, was the famed director John Cromwell (“Of Human Bondage”).

http://www.showbiz411.com/2011/01/26/james-cromwell-may-take-it-with-him-to-broadway

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[Hughsgirl]

I find it very hard to believe that Carrol O'Connor would become jealous over a "secondary" player. If there is truth to it, then IMO, he had nothing to worry about because he made the show and nothing would have changed that.

[Benno123]

I find it very hard to believe that Carrol O'Connor would become jealous over a "secondary" player. If there is truth to it, then IMO, he had nothing to worry about because he made the show and nothing would have changed that.

100% agree! I find this to be a comment of someone who is just full of themselves. Besides, I can't believe that Stretch Cunningham was a sensation as a character, I don't even remember him appearing in that many episodes. My guess is he was mentioned more than he appeared physically.

[Stuck In The '70's]

I always thought he left AITF to star on Hot L Baltimore which premiered in January of 1975.

[70s show watcher]

100% agree! I find this to be a comment of someone who is just full of themselves. Besides, I can't believe that Stretch Cunningham was a sensation as a character, I don't even remember him appearing in that many episodes. My guess is he was mentioned more than he appeared physically.all i remember is that james cromwell basically played stretch by ripping off art carney as ed nortan right down to the funny voice sorry i like james cromwell as an actor when his does his own stuff not art carney;s

[Retro4Life]

Yeah it sounds pretty fishy to me. Jealous of an almost-never seen background character, who's mentioned much more than he appears? Sounds like someone's trying to rewrite history to fit their ego. Bad form.

[lucyandethel]

I do not believe o'connor was jealous of him. Maybe he just didn't think that much of the character. Cromwell is an accomplished actor, though.

[OH Nuts!]

I find it hard to believe that Carroll would have behaved that way. Sounds way too out of character. That character was no threat to Archie or Edith. The show could easily go on without a secondary character but we saw all to well in Archie Bunker's Place the show was never the same (well the feel was not the same as AITF - as they are technically two different shows)

[Schmoopie]

I don't believe it either. Carol O' Connor just never came across to me as a person who would do that. If he had some control over who was on the show and really did want the actor let go then I would guess that it had to do with creative differences or acting ability, but not jealousy.