Sally Struthers, best known for her role as Gloria Stivic on All in the Family (Gloria, Archie Bunker’s Place), spoke out following the death of her former co-star Rob Reiner, who played Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the groundbreaking CBS sitcom, Deadline reports. Struthers described the loss as “beyond devastating,” sending her condolences to Reiner’s family. The two actors shared the screen for eight seasons, portraying a young married couple navigating the chaos of the Bunker household alongside Carroll O’Connor’s Archie Bunker (The Ropers, In the Heat of the Night).
Reiner appeared in 174 of the series’ 202 episodes, becoming an iconic figure for his portrayal of the educated, politically outspoken son-in-law often at odds with his father-in-law. Struthers, meanwhile, starred in 157 episodes as the good-natured daughter, a role she reprised in the 1982-83 spinoff Gloria and made guest appearances on Archie Bunker’s Place, Deadline notes. Together, their performances helped define one of television’s most influential families, blending humor with social commentary.
In January 2024, Reiner and Struthers reunited at the Emmys for a tribute to All in the Family creator Norman Lear (Maude, The Jeffersons), reflecting on their decades-long collaboration. “Sally and I were part of unique television family,” Reiner said at the event. “Norman brought us together and created shows that made people laugh, think, and feel,” Deadline reports. The tragic deaths of Reiner and his wife Michele, found at their Brentwood home, have shocked Hollywood, with their 32-year-old son, Nick, arrested in connection to the incident.
Struthers’ poignant letter emphasizes the close personal and professional friendship she shared with Reiner, as well as the passing of a television great whose influence extends far beyond the Bunkers’ living room. According to Deadline, both actors leave an enduring legacy of television history, cultural significance, and a body of work full of unforgettable performances that continue to inspire generations of actors and entertain audiences all over the world, cementing their place in pop culture history.