Jean Stapleton
Biography
Jean Stapleton was born Jeanne Murray on January 19, 1923, in Manhattan, New York City, to Marie A. Stapleton, an opera singer, and Joseph Edward Murray, a billboard advertising salesman. She was an American character actress of stage, television, and film. Her paternal grandparents were Irish, and she was a cousin of actress Betty Jane Watson, as well as related to vaudevillian Joseph E. Deming and stage actor Jack Stapleton. She graduated from Wadleigh High School in New York City in 1939 and attended Hunter College before working as a secretary. Stapleton made her stage debut at the Greenwood Playhouse in Peaks Island, Maine, in the summer of 1941, and her New York stage debut in The Corn Is Green in 1948. She passed away on May 31, 2013, at the age of 90.
Career overview
Jean Stapleton was born Jeanne Murray on January 19, 1923, in Manhattan, New York City, to parents Marie A. Stapleton, an opera singer, and Joseph Edward Murray, a billboard advertising salesman. Her paternal grandparents were Irish. She was a cousin of actress Betty Jane Watson, and other show business relatives included her uncle, vaudevillian Joseph E. Deming, and her brother, stage actor Jack Stapleton. After graduating from Wadleigh High School in New York City in 1939 and attending Hunter College, she worked as a secretary before pursuing an acting career.
Stapleton made her stage debut in the summer of 1941 at the Greenwood Playhouse located in Peaks Island, Maine. She later made her New York stage debut in the 1948 production of The Corn Is Green. She established herself as a character actress across stage, television, and film, with known acting credits in numerous projects. Among American television audiences, she remains unforgettable for her portrayal of Edith Bunker, the devoted.
Throughout her career, Stapleton appeared in various television shows and films, including Beakman's World, Hallmark Hall of Fame, and Captain Kangaroo. She passed away on May 31, 2013, at the age of ninety in New York City, New York.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
94 titles- The Last Laugh (2016) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The Television Revolution Begins: "All in the Family" Is On the Air (2009) as Self
- Those Were the Days: The Birth of "All in the Family" (2009) as Self
- TV Land Top 10 (2004)
- TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV (2003)
- Pursuit of Happiness (2001) as Lorraine
- Pursuit of Happiness (2001) as Lorrraine
- Like Mother Like Son: The Strange Story of Sante and Kenny Kimes (2001) as Irene Silverman
- Baby (2000) as Byrd
- You've Got Mail (1998) as Birdie Conrad
- Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998) as Mrs. Jenkins (voice)
- Style & Substance (1998) as Gloria Utley
- Chance of a Lifetime (1998) as Mrs. Dunbar
- Everybody Loves Raymond (1996) as Aunt Alda
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) as Self
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- Michael (1996) as Pansy Milbank
- Lily Dale (1996) as Mrs. Coons
- Caroline in the City (1995) as Aunt Mary Kosky
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Emma
- Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (1994) as Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self
- Grace Under Fire (1993)
- The Trial (1993) as Landlady (uncredited)
- Bury Me in Niagara (1993) as Mildred
- Beakman's World (1992) as Beakman's Mom
- Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories (1992) as Narrator (voice)
- The Habitation of Dragons (1992) as Lenora Tolliver
- The General Motors Playwrights Theater (1991) as Emilie
- Fire in the Dark (1991) as Henry Dutton
- Funny Ladies: A Portrait of Women Cartoonists (1991) as Narrator
- All in the Family: 20th Anniversary Special (1991)
- Bagdad Cafe (1990) as Jasmine Zweibel
- Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme (1990) as Mother Goose
- Murphy Brown (1988)
- Trying Times (1987)
- Dead Man's Folly (1986) as Ariadne Oliver
- The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985)
- Cinderella (1985) as Fairy Godmother
- Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff (1985) as Self
- A Matter of Sex (1984) as Irene Wallin
- The Buddy System (1984) as Mrs. Price
- Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983)
- Jack and the Beanstalk (1983) as The Giantess
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as The Giantess
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as The Fairy Godmother
- Eleanor, First Lady of the World (1982) as Eleanor Roosevelt
- Something's Afoot (1982) as Miss Tweed
- Good Evening Captain (1981) as Self
- Isabel's Choice (1981) as Isabel Cooper
- Angel Dusted (1981) as Betty Eaton
- The Muppets Go Hollywood (1979) as Self
- Aunt Mary (1979) as Mary Dobkin
- You Can't Take it With You (1979) as Penny Sycamore
- The Love Boat (1977)
- Tail Gunner Joe (1977) as Mrs. DeCamp
- The Muppet Show (1976) as Self - Special Guest Star
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- Cher (1975) as Self
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- Acts of Love and Other Comedies (1973) as Gina's Mother
- Great Performances (1971) as Helen
- All in the Family (1971) as Edith Bunker
- All in the Family (1971) Theme Song Performance
- The Electric Company (1971)
- Klute (1971) as Goldfarb's Secretary
- Cold Turkey (1971) as Mrs. Wappler
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968) as Self
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self - Guest / Various Characters
- Up the Down Staircase (1967) as Sadie Finch
- The Patty Duke Show (1963)
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Nurses (1962) as Mrs. Montgomery
- The Eleventh Hour (1962)
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Dr. Kildare (1961) as Nurse Whitney
- The Defenders (1961) as Mrs. Larsen
- Something Wild (1961) as Shirley Johnson
- My Three Sons (1960)
- Route 66 (1960)
- Bells Are Ringing (1960) as Sue
- Dennis the Menace (1959)
- Naked City (1958) as Marilyn Konish
- Naked City (1958) as Mrs. Trellis
- Damn Yankees (1958) as Sister Miller
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Host
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
- Woman With A Past (1954)
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Mary Dobkin
- Robert Montgomery Presents (1950)
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Teacher
- The Philco Television Playhouse (1948) as Bus Girl
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Jean Stapleton best known for?
Jean Stapleton is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including You've Got Mail (1998), Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998), The Hangover (2009), Kiss of the Dragon (2001).
When and where was Jean Stapleton born?
Jean Stapleton was born on January 19, 1923 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on May 31, 2013.
How many credits does Jean Stapleton have?
Jean Stapleton has accumulated over 94 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2016.
What is Jean Stapleton's background in cinema and television?
Jean Stapleton was born Jeanne Murray on January 19, 1923, in Manhattan, New York City, to Marie A. Stapleton, an opera singer, and Joseph Edward Murray, a billboard advertising salesman. She was an American character actress of stage, television, and film. Her paternal grandparents were Irish, and she was a cousin of ...
Jean Stapleton by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Mary Dobkin — aged about 28
- Beakman's World (1992) as Beakman's Mom — aged about 69
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as The Giantess — aged about 59
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as The Fairy Godmother — aged about 59
- The Muppet Show (1976) as Self - Special Guest Star — aged about 53
- All in the Family (1971) as Edith Bunker — aged about 48
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