Clash of the TV Icons: 'All in the Family' Star Carroll O'Connor Battled with Creator Norman Lear

Norman Lear (left) and Carroll O'Connor hash it out on the set of 'All in the Family'Photo byimdb.com

When it premiered on CBS in January 1971, All in the Family set a new precedent for realistic quality programming in the area of weekly television comedies. Co-created by Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin, the show, which originally ran until 1979, addressed controversial issues never before seen on mainstream sitcoms. No topic was off-limits, from racial disparities to abortion to homosexuality; All in the Family covered it all, and more.

A Closer Look

At the center of the storm was the character of Archie Bunker, a bigot portrayed by the Emmy-winning Carroll O'Connor; the talented actor who gave multi-dimensional life to the role.

In the meantime, another storm was brewing; this time, behind the scenes. Lear and O'Connor did not always see eye to eye. Upon their initial meeting, Lear was more than pleased with O'Connor's audition. He instantly knew the actor was the ideal choice to play Archie.

But later? Not so much. O’Connor and Lear frequently butted heads behind the scenes about the show's creative direction. So much so, during the 5th season, O’Connor exited the series because his request for more money was rejected.

Consequently, Archie is not present in a few episodes, in which TV wife Edith Bunker, played by the Emmy-winning Jean Stapleton, is concerned as to his whereabouts. Because the audience was too, Lear and O’Connor finally settled the actor's contract issues (which included his being paid $64,000 in retro pay).

Turnabout

In an interview years later, Lear acknowledged that working with O’Connor on All in the Family was a challenge. But once the series began filming its final episodes, a surprising turnabout of events developed. Lear said O'Connor was the sole member of the cast (which also included Sally Struthers and Rob Reiner) who wanted to continue working on the show.

That ultimately transpired with the sequel sitcom Archie Bunker’s Place, which originally aired on CBS from 1979 to 1983. In this essential reboot of All in the Family, after the first 14 episodes, Carroll O'Connor's Archie Bunker becomes the widowed adopted father of Stephanie Milles, played by Danielle Brisebois, the young Jewish daughter of Edith's step-cousin.