1. Carroll O’Connor (Archie Bunker)
O’Connor portrayed the controversial, bigoted yet lovable Archie Bunker. He went on to star in In the Heat of the Night and won Emmy Awards for both comedy and drama performances. He died in 2001 at 76 from a heart attack.
2. Jean Stapleton (Edith Bunker)
Stapleton played Edith, Archie’s long-suffering but kind wife. Her character was the heart of the show, often delivering poignant moments of empathy. She passed away in 2013 at 90.
3. Sherman Hemsley (George Jefferson)
Hemsley’s character, George Jefferson, famously moved on up in the spinoff The Jeffersons. He also had a notable career in Amen and other shows. He died in 2012 at 74 from lung cancer.
4. Isabel Sanford (Louise “Weezy” Jefferson)
Sanford played the calm, intelligent counterpart to George Jefferson. She won an Emmy in 1981 for her role in The Jeffersons and was the first Black actress to win the award for lead actress in a comedy. Sanford died in 2004 at 86.
5. Mike Evans (Lionel Jefferson)
Evans portrayed Lionel, who stood up to Archie’s racism with humor and dignity. He left The Jeffersons early but returned for the final season. Evans passed away from throat cancer in 2006 at 57.
6. Allan Melvin (Barney Hefner)
Melvin played Archie’s best friend and neighbor, Barney. He appeared in multiple classic TV shows, including The Andy Griffith Show. Melvin died in 2008 at 84 from cancer.
7. Betty Garrett (Irene Lorenzo)
Garrett played the feminist neighbor Irene, who frequently clashed with Archie. She was also known for her role in Laverne & Shirley. Garrett passed away in 2011 at 91 due to an aortic aneurysm.
8. Vincent Gardenia (Frank Lorenzo)
Gardenia portrayed Frank Lorenzo, Irene’s loud, boisterous husband. He had a lengthy career in TV and film and was nominated for two Academy Awards. He died in 2010 at 77 from a heart attack.
9. Mel Stewart (Henry Jefferson)
Stewart played George Jefferson’s brother Henry. He had a long career in TV and film, including a notable role in Scarecrow and Mrs. King. Stewart died in 2002 at 72 from Alzheimer’s disease.
10. Bea Arthur (Maude Findlay)
Arthur’s character Maude was a spinoff from All in the Family. She starred in Maude and later The Golden Girls. Arthur died in 2009 at 86 from lung cancer.
11. Bob Hastings (Tommy Kelsey)
Hastings played Archie’s friend Tommy, who ran the bar that Archie eventually buys. Hastings had a long TV career, including voice work as Commissioner Gordon in Batman: The Animated Series. He died in 2014 at 89 from prostate cancer.
12. Jason Wingreen (Harry Snowden)
Wingreen played the bartender at Archie’s bar in Archie Bunker’s Place. He also voiced Boba Fett in The Empire Strikes Back. He passed away in 2015 at 95.
13. Gloria LeRoy (Mildred “Boom Boom” Turner)
LeRoy’s character, Mildred, worked with Archie at the plant and later at the bar. LeRoy had an extensive career in soap operas and TV guest spots. She died in 2018 at 92.
14. Sammy Davis Jr. (Himself)
Davis made a famous guest appearance as himself in Sammy’s Visit, where he shares a memorable moment with Archie. He died in 1990 at 64 from throat cancer.
15. Danny Dayton (Hank Pivnik)
Dayton portrayed Hank, who briefly influenced Archie’s storyline with pep pills. He was also seen in numerous other TV shows. He passed away in 1999 at 75 from emphysema.
16. Norman Lear (Creator)
Norman Lear, the creator of All in the Family, passed away in December 2023 at 101. He shaped television with groundbreaking shows like Maude, The Jeffersons, and Good Times, and his impact on TV was vast.
These actors were a part of one of TV’s most revolutionary shows, and their legacies continue to influence the entertainment world.
