Let me tell you something incredible—Sally Struthers, the beloved actress who played Gloria Stivic on All in the Family, is sharing her heart and memories with us. It’s been half a century since the groundbreaking series first aired, and Sally’s reflections are as fresh and engaging as ever. “It feels like it happened 15 years ago, but it also feels like it happened a hundred years ago,” she says with a laugh. The two-time Emmy winner exclusively opened up to Closer Weekly, now on newsstands, about how time seems to slip through our fingers. “Time is a curious thing, and I can’t quite get a handle on how much time has passed.”
From 'All in the Family' to 'Gilmore Girls'
After All in the Family wrapped, Sally didn’t just fade into the background—oh no. At 73, she’s carved out an impressive career that spans generations. Fans of Gilmore Girls know her as the quirky Babette, bringing joy to a new audience. Beyond acting, she’s made her mark as a passionate advocate for Save the Children and lent her voice to animated projects like Dinosaurs and TaleSpin. Even though she’s kept busy with theater and other projects, it’s her iconic TV roles that stick with people. “It’s funny,” Sally shares. “I’ll often get stopped by a family. The mom will say, ‘Oh, we love you on All in the Family!’ Then the daughter will chime in, ‘No, she’s Babette!’ Watching that generational connection happen is just priceless.”
Did Sally Know What She Was Getting Into?
Now, let’s rewind to 1971 when Sally landed the role of Gloria. Did she have any inkling that this show would skyrocket her career? Not really, my friend. Most actors step into a job without knowing how long it’ll last. Sally had just been part of The Tim Conway Comedy Hour, where she was unceremoniously let go after five episodes. “The executives said, ‘Get rid of that dancer girl. She makes the show look cheap!’ So I was let go,” she recalls with a wry smile. But little did she know, this was just the beginning of something extraordinary.
Read also:Craig Melvins Onair Slipup A Heartwarming Moment After Hoda Kotbs Departure
Auditioning for Norman Lear
When Sally went in to audition for All in the Family creator Norman Lear, it was like stepping into the unknown. “He said it was the role of the daughter, and he gave me a yelling scene,” she remembers. On the day of the audition, Sally had laryngitis, which actually worked in her favor. “My voice was raspy, but I guess it made him remember me.” Out of four finalists, Sally stood out, despite the odds. You see, Rob Reiner, who played Michael Stivic, was already cast, and his girlfriend Penny Marshall was also in the running. “I thought I didn’t stand a chance,” Sally admits. “But thinking that way actually took the pressure off. I just went in and gave it my all.”
Gloria Stivic: A Role Like No Other
So, what did Sally and Gloria have in common? Not much, really. Sally grew up in the Pacific Northwest, devoutly Lutheran, and didn’t marry until she was 30. Gloria, on the other hand, was a feisty New Yorker who tied the knot at a young age. “My dad was a doctor, and Archie Bunker was this lovable but uneducated blue-collar guy,” Sally explains. Playing Gloria wasn’t easy at first. “For the first five years, the writers didn’t know what to do with her. She had about three lines per episode, mostly like, ‘I’ll help you set the table, Ma,’ or ‘Daddy, stop it.’”
Gloria Finds Her Voice
But things changed for Gloria—and Sally—as the show progressed. Michael Stivic introduced Gloria to a wider world, politics, and her own power as a woman. “The writers finally gave me more to do when Gloria had a baby, and Mike and Gloria moved next door,” Sally says. “It was like I’d been eating salad for five years, and finally, I got the main course!”
A Cast That Clicked
The chemistry between the cast was nothing short of magical. “We got along beautifully. There wasn’t any competition among us,” Sally recalls fondly. Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton had tried two other pilots before Sally and Rob joined the team. “I’ve never seen those pilots, but I hear you can find them on YouTube. People who’ve seen them say that Rob and I finally had the right chemistry with Jean and Carroll.”
Remembering Jean Stapleton
Sally holds a special place in her heart for Jean Stapleton, who played Edith Bunker. “She was my living, breathing example of subtlety,” Sally says. “She didn’t need to dominate the room. She just arrived, prepared, and was positive all the time. Her Christian Scientist beliefs really shaped her approach to life, and being around her was a gift.”
Carroll O’Connor: A Second Father
When Sally lost her own father in 1968, she felt fatherless. Then came Carroll O’Connor. “Carroll and his wife, Nancy, became like parents to me,” she shares. “He gave me advice, laughed at my antics, hugged me, and even introduced me to my husband!”
Read also:Is Alan Ritchson Really The Hollywood Hunk We Think He Is
Realizing the Show’s Success
Rob and Sally knew early on that All in the Family was destined for greatness. “We used to walk out the back door at CBS and go to the farmers market for lunch. After a few weeks of the show airing, we couldn’t do that anymore. We were mobbed!”
Saying Goodbye to a Legacy
Filming the last episode was emotional, but not in a sad way—at least not at the time. “I didn’t realize how much I’d miss it,” Sally admits. “Now, whenever I see an episode on TV, I stop for a second. But as soon as I see Carroll or Jean, I get so sad that I have to change the channel.”
Why Sally’s Proud to Be Part of History
Sally knows she was part of something special. “I’ve done so many guest appearances on shows, and that’s fun, but All in the Family was history-making,” she says. “One day, my daughter was writing a report using the Encyclopedia Britannica. She called me over, and there we were—under the word ‘television.’ That’s when it hit me. Wow!”
— Reporting by Katie Bruno
For more on this story, pick up the latest issue of Closer magazine, on newsstands now.
