Since I read about the passing of Mickey Rooney on Sunday, i remember reading in a few sources that he was originally considered for the Archie Bunker role that eventually went to Carroll O'Connor. Would All in the Family have been successful if Rooney played the bigoted Bunker?

No, it would not have been. Rooney would have just looked like a loudmouth little runt, and it would have gotten on people's nerves real fast.

No, it would not have been. Rooney would have just looked like a loudmouth little runt, and it would have gotten on people's nerves real fast.

Size has nothing to do with it. If it did, people would've gotten tired of Taxi quickly but it was very successful and Danny DeVito who is shorter than Rooney was a big part of it. I'm not saying the show would've been successful with Rooney as Archie but that his height probably wouldn't have turned people off.

:yeahthat

I don't think I would have liked Rooney in the part, but who knows.

Rooney turned the role down when he read the script for the pilot, and realized how controversial it would become and in his words "I wouldn't want any part of that!"