All In The Family Star Jean Stapleton Dies At The Age Of 90


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It is always hard to lose an acting legend.

However, with the news of Jean Stapleton’s passing today, a little spark from my young adult years was extinguished.

My memories of this gifted actress during her multi-Emmy award-winning role of the character, Edith, in the acclaimed sitcom, “All In The Family“, were many and still bring a smile to my face. Do they even make actresses like this anymore? Or sitcoms?

“All In The Family” will go down in television history as one of – if not the best sitcom ever. It was groundbreaking and producer Norman Lear was an incredible visionary.

This producers of this show took unprecedented risks in their storyline – pushing the barriers and challenging the viewers. It was an incredible body of work.

Jean Stapleton, although known for her light-hearted, naive “Edith the wife” role, displayed incredible depth as the show evolved, adding drama mixed with comedy. She showed many dark sides to her sweet personality – her fight with breast cancer, the episode where she was raped etc.

It was a marvel to see her multi-faceted acting talent and she was in a class of her own. Thank heavens that repeats of the show are still on the air. Memories will still live on!

R.I.P. Jean Stapleton. You were one in a million. And we send our deepest condolences to her family and close circle of friends.

About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici

2 Responses to “All In The Family Star Jean Stapleton Dies At The Age Of 90”

  1. Wasn’t she just the best!!! If only tv could go back to the days of the shows…this was ground breaking tv…Edith Bunker didn’t have to say anything, her expressions over Archie’s rants were hilarious and priceless…but when she did, she was sure to make you laugh!!!

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  2. I don’t know if the TV big wigs even understand how to produce quality television anymore.

    It’s all flash in the pan/reality show/pre-recorded stuff. A little of that goes a long way. Actors study long and hard to achieve excellence and are rarely rewarded for their craft anymore.

    The same holds true for the writers. There are great writers out there, probably prolific writers, but the industry has to have vision and fortitude to stick through long term investment in quality shows.

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