What Ever Happened to Edith Bunker?

Question

I never saw the ALL IN THE FAMILY episode where they explain what happened to Edith? What happened on the show? And what happened in real life? Was her contract not renewed? Did she need to be released to do another show?

All of the sudden, Archie is living with a little girl? And who was she?!!!!!

Answer 1

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Stapleton remained with the show all through the original series run, but decided to leave before the first season of Archie Bunker's Place had wrapped up. At that point, Edith was written out as having suffered a stroke and died off camera, leaving Archie to deal with the death of his beloved "dingbat

Edith's 9-year old niece, Stephanie Mills. The Bunkers took her in after the child's father, Floyd Mills, abandoned her on their doorstep in 1978. (He later extorted money from them to allow her to stay with them.) She would remain with the show through its transition to Archie Bunker's Place.

Answer 2

Jean Stapleton wanted to quit the series, so over the summer the writers had Edith pass away of unknown cause(s) and started the next season with Archie trying to deal with life as a widower.

This was the season before the show turned into Archie Bunker's Place.

Answer 3

Let's not forget Jean Stapleton was terrific in the John Travolta movie, "Michael." It was made less than 10 years ago.

I loved how Jean and John danced at the end to Van Morrison's "Bright Side of the Road."

Answer 4

I believe she died and they didn't know how to explain it at the time. Remember it was the late 60es and early 70 es