From Archie Bunker to George Roberts: The Story Behind Carroll O’Connor’s Stage Name
Stage names are a common practice in the entertainment world, with many celebrities opting for nicknames or names that resonate better with audiences. But have you ever encountered an actor who adopted a friend’s name as his stage name?
Carroll O’Connor, best known as Archie Bunker from All in the Family and Bill Gillespie from In the Heat of the Night, initially performed under the name George Roberts. In a revealing interview with the Television Academy, O’Connor shared how this name came to be and the reasons for its eventual change.
The story dates back to his college days when an older student advised him to steer clear of his real name to avoid potential constraints. “I started acting under the name George Roberts,” he recalled, “after an old friend who had passed away.
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O’Connor used this alias for several years until he joined a theatrical company that encouraged him to reclaim his birth name. “The company owner insisted, ‘I want you to take back your name. I don’t want any George Roberts in my company,’” he remembered. This marked a turning point for O’Connor, who was immersed in theater productions in Dublin and New York during the 1950s.
Ultimately, O’Connor returned to his original name, and nearly all of his notable film and television credits bear the O’Connor name. Interestingly, Carroll is his middle name; his first name is John. But, as many would agree, Carroll O’Connor certainly has a memorable ring to it!
