Jean Stapleton credited her mother for her strong work ethic

While Jean Stapleton wasn't necessarily a permanent fixture on All in the Family, no one would say that she was anything but a consummate professional in the industry. 

During the original airing of the series, Stapleton was pressed as to whether she might depart the series early. While Stapleton knew that she wouldn't play Edith Bunker her whole life, she had no interest in leaving the series hanging.

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Jean Stapleton was never interested in the role of the leading lady

"I consider a contract as meaning something," said Stapleton during an interview with the New York Times. "There are many things I'd like to do in the future. Eventually, I'd like to leave the series and concentrate on theater again, to move seriously into musical comedy. But well, I still have three more years to go on my Tandem Productions contract. I can't consider anything else until that has run its course."

Of course, Stapleton left Edith Bunker when she felt it was the appropriate time, after playing the character for so many years.

While plenty of actors only look out for themselves and their own success, Stapleton prioritized the projects she was working on. This tactic not only made her a better performer, but it also showed others she could be relied upon.

"I was raised that way," said the actor. "I was taught by example that one must grow and learn to do for oneself. My mother was a concert and opera singer, and thus there was never the message implanted with me that a woman's role is simply to find a man and marry."