RIP Archie Bunker - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

realpe · 06-21-2001, 08:23 PM

Carroll O'Conner passed away today. This is a very sad day for me.
What an incredible actor and an amazing show that was such a big part of my life growing up and even today, many years later, no show makes me laugh as much as All in the Family.

We'll miss you.

[This message has been edited by realpe (edited 06-21-2001).]

callmetootie · 06-21-2001, 08:32 PM

I know. I'am crying my eyes out. I can't stand it.

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Andrew Carden

DarleneIllyria · 06-21-2001, 08:35 PM

My god..I can't believe he is dead. You just don't think Archie Bunker could ever go.

It's kind of weird I had it on CNN and saw Carroll O' Connor's picture up on the screen and heard the word "died". I can't tell you how shocked and saddened I was by hearing this. I was hoping I had heard wrong, but it looks like this confirmed it.

RIP Carroll- You have entertained me during these years with your great potrayal of Archie. I will never forget all the fun I had watching the Bunker family.

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Madness · 06-21-2001, 08:50 PM

Yeah, I heard that a few minutes ago on the news. Very sad.

Brett Ferino · 06-21-2001, 09:24 PM

God bless you Archie. Say hello to Whitman Mayo for all of us!

LaverneShirley · 06-21-2001, 10:17 PM

I can't believe it either. I dunno know why, but he was just one of those people I thought would live forever. He was a wonderful actor.

06-21-2001, 11:12 PM

Here;s the official story courtesy reuters

Emmy-Winning Actor Carroll O'Connor Dead at 76
Photos

Reuters Photo

By Dan Whitcomb

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor Carroll O'Connor, who became one of television's biggest stars as grumpy, bigoted but lovable Archie Bunker on the landmark 1970s TV series ``All in the Family,'' died on Thursday. He was 76.

The Bronx-born O'Connor died at Brotman Medical Center in the Los Angeles suburb of Culver City of a heart attack brought on by complications from diabetes, his publicist Charles Sherman said. His wife, Nancy, was at his side.

``He was having chest pains at home,'' Sherman said. ``They rushed him to the hospital and they tried to revive him without any luck. He'd been in and out of the hospital but his heart seemed fine so this kind of took us by surprise.''

Though O'Connor had a long career in show business that included scores of stage and film roles, he was indelibly linked to Bunker and ``All in the Family,'' which was hailed for its groundbreaking social satire -- the likes of which had never before been seen on American television.

The show, which was based on a popular British series, ''Till Death Us Do Part,'' debuted on CBS in January of 1971 and ran for eight seasons before the show was revamped and premiered under a new title, ``Archie Bunker's Place.''

The original show opened with O'Connor and co-star Jean Stapleton as his scatterbrained wife Edith behind the piano in the living of their working-class home in Queens, singing the standard ``Those Were The Days.''

The groundbreaking series first drew controversy over the comic rantings of Bunker, who called blacks ``jungle-bunnies'' and ``spades,'' Puerto Ricans ``spics'' and Asians ``chinks.''

But the show became a major hit and transformed O'Connor from a journeyman actor into a household name with critics hailing his performance as a masterpiece. He won four Emmys for the part.

'MEATHEAD' AND THE JEFFERSONS

Bunker's foils on the show were his liberal, intellectual son-in-law, portrayed by Rob Reiner -- who the irascible dock foreman referred to as ``Meathead'' -- and the black family next door, the Jeffersons, who later had a hit television series of their own.

O'Connor once described his portrayal of the narrow-minded Bunker this way: ``I'm not playing him to make people hate him for his attitude or make them like him. I'm just playing his attitude as truthfully as I know how.''

That portrayal showed Bunker as a loser trapped in his own prejudices and was praised for ultimately advancing race relations.

As he once told the Los Angeles Times: ``The funny thing about Archie is that he wouldn't change his mind. That was the fun, the comedy and the satire. That was what you laughed at. He never laughed at anything himself .... The world was a painful place to him. And because it was painful to him, it was funny to you.''

``Carroll O'Connor as Archie Bunker was genius at work, God's gift to the world,'' Norman Lear, producer of ``All in the Family,'' said after learning of his death.

O'Connor returned to series television in the late 1980s, winning his fifth Emmy as the small-town sheriff in the NBC series ``In the Heat of the Night,'' which was based on an Academy Award-winning film.

TRAGEDY PROMPTS ANTI-DRUG CRUSADE

Tragedy struck for O'Connor in March of 1995 when his only son, who had been battling drug addiction, shot himself to death. Hugh O'Connor's death inspired O'Connor to launch an anti-drug crusade, which culminated in his public condemnation of the man he said had sold his son drugs.

O'Connor called the drug dealer, Harry Perzigian, a ''partner in murder'' and a ``lawbreaker'' and gave out his address so that he could be ostracized, saying in one interview: ``Harry Perzigian, you sleazeball, we're going to get you.''

Perzigian sued O'Connor for slander but lost the case after a jury trial in Los Angeles.

Film critic Leonard Maltin has said that were it not for O'Connor's ``long-running gig as TV's loudmouth bigot Archie Bunker,'' the actor would not have scored very high based on his work in movies, in which he often played nasty heavies and gruff, boorish characters.

Born Aug. 2, 1924, he was educated at the University of Montana and at Dublin's National University.''

His last screen role was as Minnie Driver's grandfather in the romantic comedy ``Return to Me.''

Rob · 06-22-2001, 12:01 AM

I just heard the sad news only a few moments ago. Like realpe, I grew up on All In The Family, and its hard to believe that someone I watched every day of my life is now gone. In his portrayal of Archie, Carroll O'Conner showed us what being a bigot was like, and made us all see how inane it truly was. I never knew the man, but I feel as if I did.

R.I.P.- Mr. O'Conner :-(

------------------

oldiesgirl · 06-22-2001, 03:43 AM

I was in shock,when I read that he had died

ks · 06-22-2001, 10:45 AM

I can't believe he is dead. I was watching CNN and I saw them briefing everyone on his career and I thought maybe he had been presented an award. Then they said Carroll O'Conner dead at age 76. He is one of those people I thought would live forever.

He was an incredible actor. Archie Bunker was/is one of the few men on TV that make me laugh, even when all he is doing is sitting still.

He truly was an incredible actor, and will be missed by all.

ks

Pippa McKenna · 06-22-2001, 10:59 AM

One of his best moments on All in the Family, was when he first defined his favorite word, "Meathead" I absoulutly loved how his facial expression was when he said it. Here is the definition of the word of Archie: Meathead(Mike Stivic) dead from the neck up

------------------
Tootie:Will Danny open the door?

Mrs.Garrett: No, that kid would've been great at the Alamo!

Nat: OK, secure all valuables to higher ground- keep tossin that porcelain boys.

SitcomFan · 06-22-2001, 11:26 AM

I cant beleive hes dead. he is one of my favorite actors. tvland is doing a 48 hour marathan on him maybe they will show archie bunkers place. and of course they will show aitf

im very upset about carroll ill miss him

Cheryl Harrell · 06-22-2001, 12:21 PM

Just want to say how sorry I am about Archie Bunkers passing. I enjoy watching ALL INT HE FAMILY. I just heard about him on the news & was shocked. My hubby is also sorry to hear about it. Peace & God Bless!

Sean Snow · 06-22-2001, 12:43 PM

I was saddened when I heard. But at least he prob. knew he'd live forever in re-runs. May he rest in peace.

06-22-2001, 02:04 PM

I was shocked when I heard the news a couple of minutes ago. He was such a great actor, especially as the role of "Archie Bunker" in "All in the Family." He changed television's history with his role in "All in the Family" and he will be missed by all.

06-21-2001, 08:23 PM	#1
realpe Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 07, 2001 Location: Canada Posts: 5	RIP Archie Bunker Carroll O'Conner passed away today. This is a very sad day for me. What an incredible actor and an amazing show that was such a big part of my life growing up and even today, many years later, no show makes me laugh as much as All in the Family. We'll miss you. [This message has been edited by realpe (edited 06-21-2001).]

06-21-2001, 11:12 PM	#7
Devastation26 Guest Posts: n/a	Here;s the official story courtesy reuters Emmy-Winning Actor Carroll O'Connor Dead at 76 Photos Reuters Photo By Dan Whitcomb LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor Carroll O'Connor, who became one of television's biggest stars as grumpy, bigoted but lovable Archie Bunker on the landmark 1970s TV series ``All in the Family,'' died on Thursday. He was 76. The Bronx-born O'Connor died at Brotman Medical Center in the Los Angeles suburb of Culver City of a heart attack brought on by complications from diabetes, his publicist Charles Sherman said. His wife, Nancy, was at his side. ``He was having chest pains at home,'' Sherman said. ``They rushed him to the hospital and they tried to revive him without any luck. He'd been in and out of the hospital but his heart seemed fine so this kind of took us by surprise.'' Though O'Connor had a long career in show business that included scores of stage and film roles, he was indelibly linked to Bunker and ``All in the Family,'' which was hailed for its groundbreaking social satire -- the likes of which had never before been seen on American television. The show, which was based on a popular British series, ''Till Death Us Do Part,'' debuted on CBS in January of 1971 and ran for eight seasons before the show was revamped and premiered under a new title, ``Archie Bunker's Place.'' The original show opened with O'Connor and co-star Jean Stapleton as his scatterbrained wife Edith behind the piano in the living of their working-class home in Queens, singing the standard ``Those Were The Days.'' The groundbreaking series first drew controversy over the comic rantings of Bunker, who called blacks ``jungle-bunnies'' and ``spades,'' Puerto Ricans ``spics'' and Asians ``chinks.'' But the show became a major hit and transformed O'Connor from a journeyman actor into a household name with critics hailing his performance as a masterpiece. He won four Emmys for the part. 'MEATHEAD' AND THE JEFFERSONS Bunker's foils on the show were his liberal, intellectual son-in-law, portrayed by Rob Reiner -- who the irascible dock foreman referred to as ``Meathead'' -- and the black family next door, the Jeffersons, who later had a hit television series of their own. O'Connor once described his portrayal of the narrow-minded Bunker this way: ``I'm not playing him to make people hate him for his attitude or make them like him. I'm just playing his attitude as truthfully as I know how.'' That portrayal showed Bunker as a loser trapped in his own prejudices and was praised for ultimately advancing race relations. As he once told the Los Angeles Times: ``The funny thing about Archie is that he wouldn't change his mind. That was the fun, the comedy and the satire. That was what you laughed at. He never laughed at anything himself .... The world was a painful place to him. And because it was painful to him, it was funny to you.'' ``Carroll O'Connor as Archie Bunker was genius at work, God's gift to the world,'' Norman Lear, producer of ``All in the Family,'' said after learning of his death. O'Connor returned to series television in the late 1980s, winning his fifth Emmy as the small-town sheriff in the NBC series ``In the Heat of the Night,'' which was based on an Academy Award-winning film. TRAGEDY PROMPTS ANTI-DRUG CRUSADE Tragedy struck for O'Connor in March of 1995 when his only son, who had been battling drug addiction, shot himself to death. Hugh O'Connor's death inspired O'Connor to launch an anti-drug crusade, which culminated in his public condemnation of the man he said had sold his son drugs. O'Connor called the drug dealer, Harry Perzigian, a ''partner in murder'' and a ``lawbreaker'' and gave out his address so that he could be ostracized, saying in one interview: ``Harry Perzigian, you sleazeball, we're going to get you.'' Perzigian sued O'Connor for slander but lost the case after a jury trial in Los Angeles. Film critic Leonard Maltin has said that were it not for O'Connor's ``long-running gig as TV's loudmouth bigot Archie Bunker,'' the actor would not have scored very high based on his work in movies, in which he often played nasty heavies and gruff, boorish characters. Born Aug. 2, 1924, he was educated at the University of Montana and at Dublin's National University.'' His last screen role was as Minnie Driver's grandfather in the romantic comedy ``Return to Me.''
Devastation26 Guest Posts: n/a

06-22-2001, 02:04 PM	#15
J.M Guest Posts: n/a	I was shocked when I heard the news a couple of minutes ago. He was such a great actor, especially as the role of "Archie Bunker" in "All in the Family." He changed television's history with his role in "All in the Family" and he will be missed by all.
J.M Guest Posts: n/a

06-21-2001, 08:32 PM	#2
callmetootie Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 06, 2001 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 4,768	I know. I'am crying my eyes out. I can't stand it. ------------------ Andrew Carden

06-21-2001, 08:35 PM	#3
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	My god..I can't believe he is dead. You just don't think Archie Bunker could ever go. It's kind of weird I had it on CNN and saw Carroll O' Connor's picture up on the screen and heard the word "died". I can't tell you how shocked and saddened I was by hearing this. I was hoping I had heard wrong, but it looks like this confirmed it. RIP Carroll- You have entertained me during these years with your great potrayal of Archie. I will never forget all the fun I had watching the Bunker family. ------------------ Hottest Men alive: Dale Midkiff Anthony Starke Tim McGraw

06-21-2001, 08:50 PM	#4
Madness I call it the rocket Senior Member Join Date: May 03, 2000 Posts: 2,047	Yeah, I heard that a few minutes ago on the news. Very sad.

06-21-2001, 09:24 PM	#5
Brett Ferino Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 18, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,782	God bless you Archie. Say hello to Whitman Mayo for all of us!

06-21-2001, 10:17 PM	#6
LaverneShirley Mission Doll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 26, 2000 Location: Liberty Twp, OH Posts: 1,552	I can't believe it either. I dunno know why, but he was just one of those people I thought would live forever. He was a wonderful actor.

06-22-2001, 12:01 AM	#8
Rob Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 06, 2001 Location: Levittown, N.Y. United States Posts: 197	I just heard the sad news only a few moments ago. Like realpe, I grew up on All In The Family, and its hard to believe that someone I watched every day of my life is now gone. In his portrayal of Archie, Carroll O'Conner showed us what being a bigot was like, and made us all see how inane it truly was. I never knew the man, but I feel as if I did. R.I.P.- Mr. O'Conner :-( ------------------

06-22-2001, 03:43 AM	#9
oldiesgirl Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 18, 2001 Posts: 60	I was in shock,when I read that he had died

06-22-2001, 10:45 AM	#10
ks Certifiably Insane Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 21, 2000 Location: I live in my hole... Posts: 5,501	I can't believe he is dead. I was watching CNN and I saw them briefing everyone on his career and I thought maybe he had been presented an award. Then they said Carroll O'Conner dead at age 76. He is one of those people I thought would live forever. He was an incredible actor. Archie Bunker was/is one of the few men on TV that make me laugh, even when all he is doing is sitting still. He truly was an incredible actor, and will be missed by all. ks

06-22-2001, 10:59 AM	#11
Pippa McKenna Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 17, 2000 Posts: 98	One of his best moments on All in the Family, was when he first defined his favorite word, "Meathead" I absoulutly loved how his facial expression was when he said it. Here is the definition of the word of Archie: Meathead(Mike Stivic) dead from the neck up ------------------ Tootie:Will Danny open the door? Mrs.Garrett: No, that kid would've been great at the Alamo! Nat: OK, secure all valuables to higher ground- keep tossin that porcelain boys.

06-22-2001, 11:26 AM	#12
SitcomFan Bonnie Hunt Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 16, 2001 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 286	I cant beleive hes dead. he is one of my favorite actors. tvland is doing a 48 hour marathan on him maybe they will show archie bunkers place. and of course they will show aitf im very upset about carroll ill miss him

06-22-2001, 12:21 PM	#13
Cheryl Harrell I Love You Mike 4-Ever Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Location: Pixley!!!! Actually VA--USA LOL! Posts: 6,192	Just want to say how sorry I am about Archie Bunkers passing. I enjoy watching ALL INT HE FAMILY. I just heard about him on the news & was shocked. My hubby is also sorry to hear about it. Peace & God Bless!

06-22-2001, 12:43 PM	#14
Sean Snow moo Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,408	I was saddened when I heard. But at least he prob. knew he'd live forever in re-runs. May he rest in peace.