Mickey Rooney was Norman Lear's first choice to play Archie in the pilot of "All in the Family" (1968). Rooney had reservations about the character, so he refused.
Archie Bunker, O'Connor's character on "All in the Family" (1968), was ranked #24 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].
As executive producer of "In the Heat of the Night" (1988), he often asked longtime friends and musicians to guest-star. Two of his favorites were Miss Jean Simmons and Bobby Short. He gave long-time friend, Lois Nettleton, a significant recurring role in the first few seasons.
Attended college in Ireland and began his career on the stage, playing in Dublin, London and Paris before making his Broadway debut in 1958.
Attended the same school as: Don Rickles.
Attended Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC for at least one semester prior to enrolling at University of Montana.
Auditioned for the role of The Skipper on "Gilligan's Island" (1964).
Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Archie Bunker in All in the Family (1971).
Despite high ratings, his series "All in the Family" (1968) was canceled, in order for producer Norman Lear to propose another project just to keep O'Connor's character going, yet, he did. He starred in the final spinoff series, "Archie Bunker's Place" (1979).
Earned a reported $250,000 a week for "All in the Family" in 1980.
Father of Hugh O'Connor.
Graduated from Newtown High School in the New York City, New York, in 1942.
Had appeared in almost all the episodes of "All in the Family" (1968) series, from 1971 to 1979, but missed 7 episodes, 3 of these, because of a contract dispute with Norman Lear.
Had completed part of his undergraduate studies at the University of Montana before returning to earn a master's degree in speech in 1956.
Has one grandson, Sean Carroll O'Connor.
He adopted his only child, Hugh, while in Rome filming Cleopatra (1963). He named him after his own brother, who was killed years before in a motorcycle accident.
He enjoyed politics, golfing, dining, spending time with his family, traveling and reading.
He had a contract dispute with Norman Lear in 1974, hence, he missed 3 episodes of "All in the Family" (1968).
He met his wife, Nancy, while both were performing in the play "Life with Father" at the University of Montana.
He passed away on the same day that blues legend, John Lee Hooker did. Coincidentally, their stars are right next to one another on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.