Although Edith Bunker was fairly soft-spoken, Jean Stapleton was a confident woman who wasn't afraid of going after what she wanted.

As a star of the stage, Stapleton made her mark on the television industry when she starred as Archie Bunker's better half on the hit series, All in the Family. But while Edith played second banana to her husband, Archie, Stapleton prided herself on the fact that she and her real-life husband were equals.

Stapleton married theatre director William Putch in 1957, and the two were together for many years.

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"My husband has all the qualities Archie doesn't have," said Stapleton, according to TV's First Family, written by Louis Solomon. "He is an enlightened person and smart."

Where Edith frequently had little issue with remaining subservient to Archie, Stapleton admired her husband for his progressive ideals.

"He doesn't have the male chauvinist attitude that a woman's place is in the kitchen," said Stapleton. "He can cook and take care of the children. In that way, he is liberated too."

Of course, although Stapleton had no interest in living Edith's life, she certainly enjoyed playing the character, as well as the admiration she had received from fans for her portrayal of the character.

"They say lovely things to me," said Stapleton. "Some say that Edith's their neighbor, or mother, or aunt. I've got mail from gentlemen who say they know Edith. People have written me poetry, sweet and loving...She [Edith] is not the typical American housewife...at least I hope she's not."