Sally Struthers, known for her iconic portrayal of Gloria Bunker on All in the Family, may never have been cast in the role if it weren’t for a unique, and somewhat ironic, situation involving laryngitis. Struthers, who would go on to become a beloved TV star in both live-action and animated roles, had been struggling to find consistent work when she auditioned for the show. At the time, she had just been let go from The Tim Conway Comedy Hour, and when she arrived for her audition with Norman Lear for the part of Gloria, she was dealing with a bad case of laryngitis.
The audition required her to perform a yelling scene, which, under normal circumstances, would have been challenging. However, Struthers’ raspy voice, a result of her illness, gave the scene a distinct edge that made her stand out. Lear, who was initially unsure about who to cast in the role of Gloria, recalled in later interviews that Struthers’ unique, slightly hoarse voice was unforgettable. “I’m sure that’s why he remembered me,” she reflected in an interview for the 50th anniversary of the show. Struthers, at the time, had no idea that this audition would change the course of her career.
Beyond her voice, Struthers’ audition conveyed a level of exasperation and humor that perfectly fit the character of Gloria, the liberal daughter of Archie Bunker. Gloria, who often found herself at odds with her conservative father, became a central part of the show’s dynamic. The authenticity of Struthers’ performance was further enhanced by her off-screen connection to her co-stars, Carroll O’Connor (Archie) and Jean Stapleton (Edith). Struthers formed a close bond with both actors, particularly with O’Connor, who became like a father to her following the loss of her own father shortly before landing the role.
Struthers’ portrayal of Gloria captured the frustrations of a young woman caught between her reactionary father and her liberal, idealistic husband, Mike (played by Rob Reiner). The familial chemistry between Struthers, O’Connor, and Stapleton helped make the Bunker family’s on-screen conflicts feel real and relatable, adding a layer of emotional depth to the sitcom’s humor.
Struthers’ journey from an unknown actor with laryngitis to one of All in the Family‘s central characters is a testament to how unexpected factors, like a bad cold, can sometimes lead to a breakthrough moment in an actor’s career. Her casting, along with the rest of the groundbreaking ensemble, helped make All in the Family one of the most influential sitcoms in television history.
