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On "All in the Family", the great Betty Garrett was not the first choice to play Irene Lorenzo, the Bunker's neighbor. The part was originally given to Sada Thompson (later of the TV show "Family" with Kristy McNicholl). After a week on the "All in the Family" set, Thompson packed up and left after getting the silent treatment and cold shoulder from star Carroll O'Connor. Betty Garrett was a friend of O'Connor's and he suggested she come in and play the part, which she did splendidly. This was particularly surprising, since O'Connor was usually very kind to everyone he worked with. Many years later, O'Connor reported that he never really felt like one of his co-stars was worthy of their place on the series, even though this particular actor too held O'Connor in high regard.

Yea I read about that before. I also remember reading that Vincent Gardenia asked Norman Lear to get him off the show which is why he wasn't on very long. I'm not sure if he had problems with O'Connor or not but it sounded like it.

Yea I read about that before. I also remember reading that Vincent Gardenia asked Norman Lear to get him off the show which is why he wasn't on very long. I'm not sure if he had problems with O'Connor or not but it sounded like it.


It really befuddles me how O'Connor really put a strangle hold on that show. As great as the show was, who knows exactly how much better it could have been?!?

Yea I read about that before. I also remember reading that Vincent Gardenia asked Norman Lear to get him off the show which is why he wasn't on very long. I'm not sure if he had problems with O'Connor or not but it sounded like it.
I read that he left because he couldn't get used to the pace of doing a TV show, since he mostly did theater.

Gardenia left no because of problems with anyone on the set but because he found his character pointless. He supposedly said just that to Norman Lear at some sort of cast party and soon thereafter was gone from AITF.

I just have a hard time picturing anyone but Betty Garrett as Irene Lorenzo. Then again, I can only see Sada Thompson as Family's Kate Lawrence.

Many years later, O'Connor reported that he never really felt like one of his co-stars was worthy of their place on the series, even though this particular actor too held O'Connor in high regard.

OUCH. Anyone got any idea whom he was referring to here (although I have my own suspicions)?

However it may have happened, it ended up working out. Betty Garrett was fantastic as Irene. I couldn't picture anyone else in the role.