So Close
So it turns out that Tom Bosley, Jack Warden, and Jackie Gleason were all actually considered for the role of Archie Bunker. In fact, CBS even wanted to buy the rights to the original British show! So that they could fix it up just for Gleason, who was under contract to them. However Norman Lear beat them to the punch.
Tidbit Or Two
Aww, Edith’s maiden name used to be Baines and Gloria was employed at the cosmetics counter at Kressler’s department store.