‘All in the Family’ Star Sally Struthers Reveals How Her Life ‘Turned Upside Down’ after Starring on the Show

Sally Struthers, best known for her role as Gloria Bunker-Stivic in the iconic 1970s sitcom “All in the Family,” recently shared how her life changed after fame.


Sally Struthers has had an illustrious Hollywood career, which she credits to her role in “All in the Family.” Still, she acknowledged that her life changed drastically following the show’s success. She shared: “It became apparent. rather quickly, that my life had completely turned upside down.”

Carroll O'Connor, Sally Struthers, Rob Reiner, Mike Evans and Jean Stapleton on "All in the Family" in 1972 | Source: Getty Images

Struthers reminisced about the immediate changes she experienced, notably how public outings with her co-star, Rob Reiner, became impossible within months due to their heightened fame. Fans of the show, mistaking fiction for reality, often expected to see her with Reiner, who played her husband on-screen, instead of her actual husband at the time, William Rader.

“All in the Family,” which aired from 1971 to 1979, was revolutionary for its time, addressing real-life issues and breaking societal taboos on national television. Struthers highlighted the show’s groundbreaking approach, including its candid discussions on topics that were previously considered off-limits for TV.

Sally Struthers at the "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life" TV series premiere on November 18, 2016. | Source: Getty Images

Struthers expressed her gratitude for the opportunities the show has afforded her, acknowledging how it has opened doors throughout her career. Even decades later, she remains a beloved figure in American television for her role in “All in the Family” and her character as Babette Dell in “Gilmore Girls.”

With two Primetime Emmys for her role in “All in the Family,” she has experienced continued success on stage and screen. She will appear in the Netflix comedy series “A Classic Spy” and the upcoming action drama “In-Security.”