“All in the Family” Cast: What Are They Doing in 2024?

if you grew up in a household where All in the Family was playing in the background, you know what it means to laugh through the chaos. The show wasn’t just about Archie Bunker’s hilarious rants (although, let’s be honest, they were iconic).

It was a groundbreaking mix of humor and hot-button issues that made TV history. So, what happened to all those unforgettable characters. If you thought Archie and Edith’s (mostly Archie’s) take on the world was the end of it, think again.

In 2024, many of the stars from All in the Family have lived full, rich lives—some on screen, others in real life. So, let’s take a closer look at what each member of the All in the Family cast is up to today, in 2024. You might be surprised at how their lives have turned out.

Carroll O’Conner (Archie Bunker)

Carroll O’Conner’s portrayal of the loud, opinionated, and sometimes clueless working-class dad made him a household name. But after All in the Family ended in 1979, O’Conner didn’t just retire or fade into obscurity.

Instead, he kept acting and even got his own spin-off show, Archie Bunker’s Place, where Archie ran a bar. In 1988, O’Conner took on a completely different role in In the Heat of the Night, playing a southern police chief named Bill Gillespie.

It was a huge change from Archie’s loud, bigoted personality, but O’Conner pulled it off, winning praise for his performance. He worked on that show for years, proving that he was more than just the grumpy dad. 

Carroll also starred alongside his real-life son, Hugh O’Conner, who played a police officer on In the Heat of the Night. Sadly, O’Conner passed away in 2001 from a heart attack at the age of 76. Even though he’s no longer with us, his legacy as Archie Bunker lives on.

Jean Stapleton (Edith Bunker)

Jean Stapleton played Edith Bunker, Archie’s sweet, often ditzy wife. Edith may have been called a “dingbat” by Archie, but she was the heart of the show and had a lot of wisdom hidden behind her silly moments. Stapleton’s portrayal won her several Emmy Awards, and she became a beloved character in American TV history.

However, after nine seasons, Stapleton decided to leave All in the Family to pursue other acting opportunities. She went on to perform on Broadway, starring in plays like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. She also appeared in TV movies, including Aunt Mary, and continued acting until she retired. 

Stapleton passed away in 2013 at the age of 90 from natural causes. She left behind a lasting impact on television and theater, and her portrayal of Edith will always be remembered as one of the best TV characters of all time.

Michael Evans (Lionel Jefferson)

Michael Evans played Lionel Jefferson, the Bunkers’ next-door neighbor, and later appeared in The Jeffersons, the hit spin-off that followed Lionel’s family after they moved to a rich neighborhood. He didn’t just act on The Jeffersons, though—Evans was also involved in the creation of the show and even wrote for it.

His behind-the-scenes work helped shape the show into one of TV’s most groundbreaking sitcoms. After leaving The Jeffersons, Evans worked on other projects, including the popular show Good Times.

However, he stepped away from acting to focus on his writing. Sadly, Evans passed away in 2006 from throat cancer at the age of 57. Though his career was shorter than many expected, Evans left an important mark on TV as both an actor and a writer.

Sally Struthers (Gloria Bunker)

Sally Struthers played Gloria Bunker, the Bunkers’ daughter who was often at odds with her father over social issues like race and politics. Gloria was smart, outspoken, and always ready to stand up for what she believed in—traits that made her a standout character on the show.

After All in the Family ended, Struthers got her own spin-off show, Gloria, where her character became a single mom. Unfortunately, the show didn’t last long, but Struthers didn’t let that slow her down.

The actress went on to have a successful career as a voice actress, most notably voicing Rebecca Cunningham in the animated show TaleSpin and Charlene Sinclair in the popular Dinosaurs. She also made a memorable appearance in Gilmore Girls, where she played Babette Dell, a quirky and lovable character.

In addition to her acting work, Struthers has become a passionate activist, advocating for causes such as children’s rights and animal welfare. Today, Struthers is still active in both her career and her charitable efforts.

Rob Reiner (Mike “Meathead” Stivic)

Rob Reiner, who played Mike “Meathead” Stivic, was the son-in-law of Archie and Edith Bunker. Mike was a bit of a hippie and always ready to clash with Archie over political and social issues. Off-screen, Reiner was just as talented.

After All in the Family ended, he transitioned from acting to directing and found massive success. Reiner directed some of the most beloved movies of all time, including When Harry Met Sally, Stand By Me, and This Is Spinal Tap.

He was also behind the camera for the film A Few Good Men, which earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. Reiner’s work as a director and producer made him a huge figure in Hollywood, and his name is associated with classic movies that are still watched and quoted today.

The star is also one of the producers of Seinfeld, one of the most successful TV shows in history. Even though he’s a huge success, people still love to call him “Meathead.” Honestly, he probably wouldn’t mind. It’s a nickname that reminds everyone of his roots on All in the Family.

Danielle Brisebois (Stephanie Mills)

Danielle Brisebois joined the cast of All in the Family in the later seasons, playing Stephanie Mills, a young relative of Edith’s who came to live with the Bunkers. She wasn’t in the show for long, but her character became an important part of the family dynamic.

After All in the Family ended, Brisebois joined the cast of Archie Bunker’s Place, the spin-off show. However, Brisebois soon realized that acting wasn’t where her heart was. Turns out, Brisebois had a serious passion for music.

She released a solo album in 1994 and then became part of the hit band The New Radicals. You might know them for the song You Get What You Give. She didn’t stop there either. Brisebois co-wrote Natasha Bedingfield’s anthem Unwritten and even earned an Oscar nomination for Lost Stars from the film Begin Again.

All in the Family is available to watch on Apple TV+!