Hundreds Attend O'Connor Funeral
L O S A N G E L E S, June 26 -- Celebrities and entertainers said farewell today to Carroll O'Connor, the actor who satirized prejudice as the buffoonish bigot on All in the Family.
Among the hundreds in attendance were comedian Carl Reiner andhis son, actor-director Rob Reiner, who played the liberalson-in-law famously dubbed "Meathead" by Archie Bunker,O'Connor's character on the popular sitcom.
Comedian Don Rickles, Dallas star Larry Hagman and MartinSheen of The West Wing also attended the service at St. Paulthe Apostle Roman Catholic Church in West Los Angeles.
The 76-year-old actor died Thursday following a heart attack.
Working With Him Was a 'Joy'
"He was a master theatrician, Mr. Bunker was," Carl Reinersaid as he arrived. "It's funny how we keep calling him 'Bunker,'and we keep calling my son 'Meathead.' That's the kind of an impactthey [All in the Family] had, even on a father."
Sally Struthers, who played Bunker's daughter, Gloria, on Allin the Family, said working with O'Connor was a joy.
"I shared such an incredible time and space with Carroll," shesaid, arriving at the funeral. "Very few people ever get todo that in their lives, to have that history-making time, of whichall I did for eight years was laugh. I feel so lucky now that I hadthat."
Actor Richard Crenna said O'Connor will be missed. "We always say that we do go to a better place perhaps, butthis will not be a better place for the loss of Carroll," he said.
Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, the archbishop of Los Angeles,presided over the traditional Catholic Mass. Hagman and Sheenperformed Scripture readings.
O'Connor's remains will be cremated and buried privately.
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The actor was known mainly for his stage work and a few smallmovie roles before playing Bunker on the influential TV series thatbegan in 1971 and lasted for eight seasons. From 1979-83, the showwas called Archie Bunker's Place, and was based in a bar Bunkerowned.
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