One of those constants in my childhood was All in the Family. My dad loved the show and we typically watched it and don't recall missing an episode. Then there was In the Heat of the Night about a Mississippi police chief and the vague deep south resonance of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.
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John Carroll O'Connor was born August 2, 1924 in Manhattan. He passed at age 76 on June 21, 2001 in Culver City, California. He was an actor, producer, and director of various dramatic productions over the years.
Having served in the Merchant Marines in World War II, he became a television icon for those 40 years he remained active. My late biological father was particularly fond of his character Archie Bunker from the sitcom All in the Family which ran the decade of the 1970s from 71 through 79. Needless to say I watched a fair amount of it ... til I enlisted in the Navy on June 10, 1976.
There were spinoffs and other productions such asi that other family favorite In the Heat of the Night — which ran from 1988 thought 1995 where he played Sparta, Mississippi police chief William "Bill" Gillespie. This was another show I watched frequently as it was on the tube while I was in front of it. Other roles performed by Mr O'Connor included, he received 5 Emmys and 2 golden globes for his acting prowess.
On March 28, 1995, O'Connor's adopted son Hugh, who began life as a six day old boy in Rome and grew to be a featured character on In the Heat of the Night took his own life after a long battle with drug addiction. This had a profound effect on the aging O'Connor who went on television to out one Harry Perzigian who was allegedly Hugh's pusher. I was enthralled by his acumen and total lack of fear at this public forceful confrontation.
Also, I can never forget the stupendous grief his appearance in this matter projected. Following his son's passing, Mr O'Connor appeared in various PSAs for the Partnership for a Drug Free America. He devoted the rest of his life working to raise awareness about drug addiction.
Carroll O'Connor died on June 21, 2001 in Culver City, California, from a heart attack secondary to complications from diabetes at age 76. He is interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.