American Academy of Humor Award for "Funniest Starring Performance" given to Jean Stapleton on January 25, 1975 for her work in <i>All in he Family</i>.<p>
Jean Stapleton was an actress and activist best known for portraying Edith Bunker on the television program <i>All in the Family</i>. Stapleton was born on January 19, 1923 in Manhattan, New York City, the daughter of a salesman and an opera singer. She attended Hunter College and performed in summer stock theater before making her Broadway debut in the 1953 production of <i>In the Summerhouse</i>. In a career that lasted five decades, Stapleton appeared in numerous Broadway productions including <i>Damn Yankees</i>, <i>Bells Are Ringing</i>, and <i>Funny Girl</i>, as well as a variety of television and film productions. In 1971, Stapleton was cast as the Edith Bunker in Norman Lear’s sitcom <i>All in the Family</i>. Her portrayal of the sweet yet naïve wife of the bigoted Archie Bunker earned her three Primetime Emmys, two Golden Globes, and induction into the Television Hall of Fame. <p>
In addition her decades-long acting career, Stapleton was an outspoken feminist and social activist. Stapleton died of natural causes on May 31, 2013 in New York City.
