Struthers moved quickly into stardom between the late 1960s and early 1970s. In "Five Easy Pieces" (1970) she was cast opposite Jack Nicholson in a small yet memorable role. She appeared as a restless wife of a veterinarian in the 1972 box office success "The Getaway". It was around that time that Struthers achieved fame as Gloria Stivic on the 1970s sitcom "All in the Family". Producer Norman Lear had found the actress dancing on "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour", a counterculture variety show whose writing staff included Rob Reiner.