Trivia

Was offered a role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), but turned it down to work on the pilot of All in the Family (1971).

In the TV series The Defenders episode The Hidden Jungle (1962), which aired 1 December 1962, an unknown actress at this time, she played a woman who witnessed a murder. In the episode, while on the witness stand, she is asked to point out the murderer. The actor playing the murderer was another unknown named Carroll O'Connor, who later starred with her in All in the Family (1971).

Best friend of Carroll O'Connor.

She won the role of Edith Bunker on All in the Family (1971) when creator Norman Lear directed her in his 1971 film Cold Turkey (1971).

Was offered the role of Jessica Fletcher on Murder, She Wrote (1984), but declined. (Ultimately, the role went to Angela Lansbury.)

In 1977 she was one the commissioners who helped put together the National Women's Conference in Houston, a gathering of 2000 delegates from every U.S. state--part of International Women's Year--to assist in the formulation of national policy on women's issues.

She owned and operated Totem Pole Playhouse, a summer stock theater, in Caledonia State Park outside Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Her husband was from the area. Her children still visit frequently.

Her first Broadway appearance following her departure from long-term TV series hits ("All in the Family" and "Archie Bunker's Place") was the comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace," alongside another actress (Polly Holliday) who was also trying to get some distance from her own long series of TV hits ("Alice" and "Flo"). Interestingly, Holliday was later replaced by Marion Ross in the "Arsenic" role. Ross also was aiming for her first Broadway appearance following a long TV run in "Happy Days.".

Is a favorite of playwright Horton Foote, for whom she has acted in numerous plays, most recently "The Carpetbagger's Children" at Lincoln Center (Closed June 2002).

Best remembered by the public for her role as "Edith Bunker" on the TV series All in the Family (1971).

She was cremated by Paramus, New Jersey's Neptune Society in its crematory. Her family sprinkled her ashes in various places around this country afterwards.

Received an honorary degree from Wilson College and has a scholarship named after her.

Mother of actor John Putch and actress Pamela Putch.

Portrayed "Sister Miller" in the stage version of 'Damn Yankees!' and reprised her role in the movie What Lola Wants (1958).

In honor of what would have been her 100th birthday on January 19, 2023, her name was cited first and foremost in nationwide Born on This Day mention columns.

Cousin of Betty Jane Watson.