Jean Stapleton, whose shrill-voiced housewife in the trailblazing <em>All in the Family</em> sitcom was one of US television's defining and most beloved characters, died on Friday at age 90. She died of natural causes at her New York City home. "Her devotion to her craft and her family taught us all great life lessons," said her son and daughter, John Putch and Pamela Putch, in a statement. Stapleton came into her own as the retiring homebody Edith Bunker, who was often at odds with her curmudgeonly husband Archie on the popular TV programme All in the Family. The series was such a cultural touchstone in the US that the armchair in which O'Connor was filmed each week is now on exhibit in the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. Stapleton received eight Emmy nominations and won three times during her eight-year tenure with All in the Family. Produced by Norman Lear, the series broke through the timidity of US TV with social and political jabs and was the No 1-rated programme for an unprecedented five years in a row. Stapleton was an accomplished stage actress before becoming a pop culture icon for her starring role in the 1970s series. Her big-screen films included a pair directed by Nora Ephron: the 1998 Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan romance <em>You've Got Mail</em> and 1996's <em>Michael</em> starring John Travolta. Follow us Follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenationalArtsandLife">Facebook</a> for discussions, entertainment, reviews, wellness and news.