Carroll O'Connor was creating for ABC called "Justice For All", with O'Connor playing Archie Justice, a lovable yet controversial bigot. After three pilots done between 1968 and 1970, a network change to CBS, and the last name of the character changed to Bunker, the new sitcom was renamed "All in the Family". The show was based on the BBC's "Till Death Us Do Part", with Bunker based on Alf Garnett, albeit somewhat less abrasive than the original. O'Connor's Queens background and New York accent is said to have influenced Lear to set the show in Queens. Wanting a well-known actor to play
Pat Carroll (actress) Pat Carroll (actress) Patricia Ann Carroll (born May 5, 1927) is an American actress. She is known for voicing Ursula in "The Little Mermaid" as well as having a long acting career, including appearances in CBS's "The Danny Thomas Show", ABC's "Laverne & Shirley", NBC's "ER", other guest-starring and series-regular roles on American television as well as voice-acting in several cartoon series. Carroll is an Emmy, Drama Desk and Grammy Award winner and a Tony Award nominee. Carroll was born Patricia Ann Carroll in Shreveport, Louisiana, on May 5, 1927, to Maurice Clifton Carroll and Kathryn Angela (née Meagher) Her