Sally Struthers, 78, Reveals Rob Reiner's Life-Changing Career Advice

Sally Struthers: A Force of Nature on and Off the Stage

Sally Struthers, a two-time Emmy Award winner and beloved television icon, is proving that the show must go on—no matter the heartache or physical challenges. Despite the tragic passing of her longtime friend and costar, Rob Reiner, and dealing with a torn meniscus, the 78-year-old actress continues to captivate audiences in Ogunquit Playhouse’s Irving Berlin's White Christmas The Musical in Maine through December 21. While she will soon return to Los Angeles for leg surgery, she remains committed to her role as Martha Watson, bringing her signature energy and resilience to every performance.

Her standout moment comes during the number "Let Me Sing and I'm Happy," where she transforms personal hardship into a powerful stage presence. Speaking with Woman's World before one of her performances, Struthers described the audience’s reaction as both surprising and exhilarating. “It's thrilling and baffling. I'm not Adele, I'm just loud. People like me don't usually get that response, but I'm getting it here, and I'm getting it for this role, and it feels fantastic.”

Remembering Rob Reiner: A Lasting Influence

Sally Struthers first captured the hearts of viewers as Gloria Stivic on the groundbreaking sitcom All in the Family. The show tackled sensitive topics like sexism, menopause, and women's rights with boldness. When Gloria last appeared in the early 1980s, she was a single mom—but Struthers always envisioned a brighter future for her character. “Gloria Bunker Stivic would have remarried,” she says. “Someone just as inspiring as her first husband, because Mike taught Gloria a lot.”

Rob Reiner, who played Michael “Meathead” Stivic for seven seasons, passed away this week. Struthers credits him with offering invaluable career advice early on, especially when her lines were being cut on the hit sitcom. “If you can make the show itself more important than your own part, you will wind up offering to give up some of your lines,” she recalls. That moment, she says, changed her life and helped shape her Emmy-winning career.

Struthers expressed deep sorrow for Reiner’s loved ones, telling Deadline, “There are no words. This is beyond devastating and my heart is with their family.”

From Edith to Louise: How Norman Lear Changed TV’s Female Characters

Struthers also reflected on how Norman Lear revolutionized female characters on television. Her portrayal of Gloria Stivic was groundbreaking, and she credits Lear for creating a space where women could be complex, flawed, and real.

A New Role on Netflix: ‘A Man on the Inside’

This year, Sally Struthers has once again shone on the small screen as the sharp-witted Virginia in season two of Netflix’s A Man on the Inside, starring Ted Danson. Her inspiration for the character came from real life—specifically, her best friend Brenda Vaccaro, an Oscar-nominated star of Midnight Cowboy and guest on The Golden Girls. “I always imitate her,” Struthers says. “She says very assertive bottom-line things that some people can find off-putting, but I always think it's hilarious—and that's kind of what Virginia is.”

A Cher Impression and a Unique Friendship

Struthers also delights fans with a snappy Cher impression. She calls Cher “a gem of a human being” and recalls appearing together on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour in the 1970s. One memorable moment came when Cher gave her unforgettable makeup advice. Slipping into Cher’s signature drawl, Struthers laughs, “You got to calm down with the contouring! Sally, you look like Emmett Kelly!” She adds, “She's one of the only friends I've ever had who will tell me the painful truth.”

Choosing Single Life: A Journey of Self-Love

Struthers has been single by choice for over 30 years after divorcing in 1983. She candidly shared her journey to self-love, reflecting on past relationships. “I constantly put my blinders on and got into horrible relationships,” she said. After her daughter Samantha turned one, Struthers realized she needed to choose a different path. “I'm going to focus on my family, my friends, my career—and I've never, ever missed having a love life.”

A Modern-Day ‘All in the Family’

Today, Sally’s life is filled with love in her own modern-day All in the Family. Her nephew Matt, his wife, and their son Kai live with her, and she has no intention of letting them go. “We have become such a tight unit of family,” she told Woman's World. “We respect and love one another, laugh and cry together—and it's better than being married.”

Sally Struthers continues to inspire with her resilience, humor, and unwavering dedication to her craft. Whether on stage or screen, she remains a true force of nature.