Jean Stapleton Was A Hollywood Star, But She Lived In Rural Pennsylvania
by: Nina Ross
March 24, 2023
source: Everett Collection
Jean Stapleton was a Hollywood star, but she lived in rural Pennsylvania. She was best known for her role as Edith Bunker on the hit television show “All in the Family.” However, despite her success in Hollywood, Stapleton chose to make her home in rural Pennsylvania.
Stapleton was born in Manhattan in 1923, but she grew up in rural New York. She was raised on a farm, and her parents were both actors. Her father was a successful stage actor, while her mother was a character actress. From a young age, Stapleton was surrounded by the world of theater and performance.
After graduating from high school, Stapleton attended the University of Iowa, where she studied theater. She then moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting. In the early 1950s, she began appearing in television shows and movies.
Stapleton’s big break came in 1971 when she was cast as Edith Bunker in “All in the Family.” The show was an instant hit and ran for nine seasons. Stapleton’s portrayal of Edith Bunker earned her three Emmy Awards and made her a household name.
Despite her success in Hollywood, Stapleton chose to live in rural Pennsylvania. She and her husband, William Putch, bought a farmhouse in Bucks County in the early 1960s. They raised their two children there and also ran a summer theater program.
Stapleton loved living in the country. She enjoyed the peace and quiet and the close-knit community. She was an active member of the local theater scene, often performing in productions at the Bucks County Playhouse.
In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Stapleton said, “I feel very strongly that people who live in rural areas have a certain sanity and serenity that you can’t get anywhere else.”
Stapleton passed away in 2013 at the age of 90. She had lived in rural Pennsylvania for more than 50 years.
Jean Stapleton was a Hollywood star, but she chose to make her home in rural Pennsylvania. She loved the peace and quiet of the countryside and was an active member of the local theater community. Despite her success in Hollywood, Stapleton remained grounded and connected to her roots. Her legacy as a talented actress and a down-to-earth person continues to inspire people today.
