Married with Children, the iconic American sitcom that aired from 1987 to 1997, left an indelible mark on the television landscape. Created by Ron Leavitt and Michael G. Moye, the show revolved around the dysfunctional Bundy family, comprising Al, Peggy, Kelly, Bud, and Buck. The series was known for its raunchy humor, witty one-liners, and over-the-top characters, making it a staple of 90s television. But what happened to the cast after the show ended? In this article, we’ll delve into the lives of the main cast members and explore their journey after Married with Children.
The Main Cast: Where Are They Now?
Ed O’Neill (Al Bundy)
Ed O’Neill, the lovable but miserable Al Bundy, was the patriarch of the Bundy family. After Married with Children, O’Neill continued to work in television, appearing in shows like The West Wing and Dragnet. However, it was his role as Jay Pritchett in the hit sitcom Modern Family that brought him back into the spotlight. O’Neill’s performance earned him multiple Emmy nominations, and he won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2011.
Katey Sagal (Peggy Bundy)
Katey Sagal, the talented actress who played the lovably lazy Peggy Bundy, has had a successful career in television and music. After Married with Children, Sagal appeared in shows like 8 Simple Rules and Futurama, where she voiced the character of Turanga Leela. She has also released several music albums and has been nominated for multiple awards, including a Golden Globe nomination for her role in Sons of Anarchy.
Christina Applegate (Kelly Bundy)
Christina Applegate, the blonde bombshell who played the airheaded Kelly Bundy, has had a successful career in film and television. After Married with Children, Applegate appeared in films like Hall Pass and Anchorman, as well as television shows like Friends and Up All Night. She has been nominated for multiple awards, including an Emmy nomination for her guest role in Friends.
David Faustino (Bud Bundy)
David Faustino, the actor who played the awkward but lovable Bud Bundy, has continued to work in television and film. After Married with Children, Faustino appeared in shows like The Legend of Tarzan and The Young and the Restless. He has also worked as a voice actor, providing voices for characters in shows like The Simpsons and American Dad!.
Amanda Bearse (Marcy Rhoades/D’Arcy)
Amanda Bearse, the actress who played the uptight and snobbish Marcy Rhoades/D’Arcy, has continued to work in television and film. After Married with Children, Bearse appeared in shows like The Young and the Restless and Drop Dead Diva. She has also worked as a director, directing episodes of shows like Mad About You and The Jamie Foxx Show.
Recurring and Notable Guest Stars
Ted McGinley (Jefferson D’Arcy)
Ted McGinley, the actor who played the charming but untrustworthy Jefferson D’Arcy, has continued to work in television and film. After Married with Children, McGinley appeared in shows like The West Wing and Hope & Faith.
David Garrison (Steve Rhoades)
David Garrison, the actor who played the nerdy and uptight Steve Rhoades, has continued to work in television and film. After Married with Children, Garrison appeared in shows like The Good Wife and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Awards and Legacy
Married with Children was a critical and commercial success during its 11-season run. The show was nominated for multiple awards, including seven Emmy nominations and four Golden Globe nominations. The show’s success can be attributed to its unique blend of humor and satire, which tackled topics like marriage, family, and social issues.
The show’s impact on popular culture cannot be overstated. Married with Children has been referenced and parodied in numerous films and television shows, including The Simpsons, Family Guy, and South Park. The show’s influence can also be seen in later sitcoms like The Goldbergs and The Middle.
Behind-the-Scenes Secrets
The Original Pilot
The original pilot for Married with Children was significantly different from the final product. The pilot featured a different actress playing the role of Peggy Bundy, and the show’s tone was more subdued. The pilot was reworked, and Katey Sagal was cast as Peggy, which helped to establish the show’s signature tone.
The Bundy’s House
The Bundy’s house, which was a central part of the show, was actually a set built on a soundstage. The exterior shots of the house were filmed in front of a real house in Los Angeles, but the interior scenes were all filmed on the soundstage.
Al’s Famous “Shoes” Rant
One of the show’s most iconic moments is Al’s rant about his shoes in the episode “A Shoe Room with a View.” The rant was improvised by Ed O’Neill, and it has become one of the show’s most memorable moments.
Conclusion
Married with Children may have ended its run over two decades ago, but its impact on popular culture remains. The show’s unique blend of humor and satire continues to influence television and film, and its cast members have gone on to achieve great success in their respective careers. Whether you’re a nostalgic fan of the show or a new viewer discovering its charms, Married with Children remains a timeless classic that continues to entertain and delight audiences to this day.
| Cast Member | Notable Roles After Married with Children |
|---|---|
| Ed O’Neill | Modern Family, The West Wing, Dragnet |
| Katey Sagal | 8 Simple Rules, Futurama, Sons of Anarchy |
| Christina Applegate | Hall Pass, Anchorman, Friends, Up All Night |
| David Faustino | The Legend of Tarzan, The Young and the Restless, The Simpsons |
| Amanda Bearse | The Young and the Restless, Drop Dead Diva, Mad About You |
Note: The table provides a brief overview of the cast members’ notable roles after Married with Children.
What happened to Ed O’Neill after Married with Children?
Ed O’Neill, who played the iconic character Al Bundy, continued to work in television and film after the show ended. He appeared in various TV shows and movies, including the popular sitcom Modern Family, where he played the lovable but grumpy Jay Pritchett. O’Neill’s performance in Modern Family earned him multiple Emmy nominations and a win for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
In addition to his work on Modern Family, O’Neill has also appeared in films like Wayne’s World and Entourage. He has also lent his voice to several animated projects, including The Simpsons and Finding Dory. O’Neill has been married to actress Catherine Rusoff since 1986, and they have two daughters together. Despite his success in other projects, O’Neill will always be remembered for his iconic portrayal of Al Bundy in Married with Children.
What is Katey Sagal doing now?
Katey Sagal, who played the lovable but loud and obnoxious Peggy Bundy, has continued to work in television and music after Married with Children. She has appeared in various TV shows, including Sons of Anarchy, where she played the role of Gemma Teller Morrow, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, where she had a recurring role as Karen Peralta. Sagal has also lent her voice to several animated projects, including Futurama and The Simpsons.
In addition to her acting work, Sagal is also a talented singer-songwriter. She has released several albums, including Well… and Room. Sagal has been married to writer and producer Kurt Sutter since 2004, and they have one daughter together. Sagal has been open about her struggles with addiction and has used her platform to raise awareness and support for related causes.
Where is Christina Applegate now?
Christina Applegate, who played the beautiful but airheaded Kelly Bundy, has continued to work in television and film after Married with Children. She has appeared in various TV shows, including Friends, where she had a recurring role as Amy Green, and Up All Night, where she played the lead role of Reagan Brinkley. Applegate has also appeared in films like Anchorman and Hall Pass.
In addition to her acting work, Applegate has been open about her struggles with breast cancer and multiple sclerosis. She has used her platform to raise awareness and support for related causes, including the Right Action for Women foundation, which she founded in 2009. Applegate has been married to musician Martyn LeNoble since 2013, and they have one daughter together.
What happened to David Faustino after Married with Children?
David Faustino, who played the awkward but lovable Bud Bundy, has continued to work in television and film after Married with Children. He has appeared in various TV shows, including The Legend of Korra, where he voiced the character of Mako, and Entourage, where he had a recurring role as himself. Faustino has also appeared in films like The Heist and Not Another B Movie.
In addition to his acting work, Faustino has also worked as a voice actor and a radio host. He has hosted several radio shows, including The David Faustino Show, and has lent his voice to several animated projects, including The Simpsons and American Dad!. Faustino has been married to actress Andrea Elson since 2000, but they divorced in 2005. He has been open about his struggles with addiction and has used his platform to raise awareness and support for related causes.
What is Amanda Bearse doing now?
Amanda Bearse, who played the neighbor and friend Marcy Rhoades, has continued to work in television and film after Married with Children. She has appeared in various TV shows, including The Young and the Restless, where she had a recurring role as Amber Moore, and Anger Management, where she had a recurring role as a love interest for Charlie Sheen’s character. Bearse has also appeared in films like Fright Night and The Doom Generation.
In addition to her acting work, Bearse has also worked as a director and a producer. She has directed several episodes of TV shows, including Married with Children and Mad TV, and has produced several films and TV shows, including The Big Gay Sketch Show. Bearse has been married to Carrie Schenken since 2010, and they have two adopted children together. Bearse has been open about her struggles with addiction and has used her platform to raise awareness and support for related causes.
What happened to Ted McGinley after Married with Children?
Ted McGinley, who played the neighbor and friend Jefferson D’Arcy, has continued to work in television and film after Married with Children. He has appeared in various TV shows, including The West Wing, where he had a recurring role as a love interest for a main character, and Hope & Faith, where he had a recurring role as a love interest for Kelly Ripa’s character. McGinley has also appeared in films like Pearl Harbor and The Love Boat.
In addition to his acting work, McGinley has also worked as a director and a producer. He has directed several episodes of TV shows, including Married with Children and The Love Boat, and has produced several films and TV shows, including the reality TV show The Challenge. McGinley has been married to actress Gigi Rice since 1991, and they have two sons together. McGinley has been open about his struggles with addiction and has used his platform to raise awareness and support for related causes.
Is the Married with Children cast still in touch?
The Married with Children cast has remained close over the years, and many of them have continued to work together on various projects. Ed O’Neill and Katey Sagal have both appeared on Modern Family, and Christina Applegate has appeared on several TV shows and films with her former co-stars. David Faustino has also worked with his former co-stars on various projects, including a 2011 reunion special.
In 2013, the cast reunited for a panel discussion at the ATX Television Festival, where they discussed their time on the show and their experiences working together. The cast has also reunited for several charity events and fundraisers over the years, including a 2019 fundraiser for the Rape Treatment Center at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center. Despite their busy schedules, the Married with Children cast has remained close and continues to support each other’s work.