Where Is The Cast Of Married With Children Today? A Look Back At The Stars

The Iconic Sitcom Married With Children

Married With Children was a hit primetime sitcom that aired on Fox from 1987 to 1997. The show centered around the dysfunctional Bundy family, led by parents Al and Peggy Bundy, and their children Kelly and Bud. Known for its crass humor and irreverent comedy, Married With Children became a pop culture phenomenon during its 10-season run.

The show made stars out of its ensemble cast, especially Ed O'Neill as patriarch Al Bundy. Even decades after the show ended, the actors are still remembered fondly for their roles on this classic sitcom. Let's take a look at where the cast of Married With Children is today.

Ed O'Neill as Al Bundy

Ed O'Neill played Al Bundy, the bitter, downtrodden father of the Bundy family. Al was known for his misanthropic attitude and his glorious days as a high school football star at Polk High. After Married With Children ended, O'Neill went on to great success with another hit sitcom - he played the role of Jay Pritchett on ABC's Modern Family from 2009 to 2020. The actor has proven he's got comedic chops, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for portraying Jay. At 75 years old, O'Neill continues to take on smaller supporting roles in films.

David Faustino as Bud Bundy

David Faustino played Bud Bundy, the younger of the two Bundy children. Bud fancied himself a ladies' man and took after his father with his scheming attitude. After the show ended, Faustino voiced the character of Mako in Nickelodeon's animated series The Legend of Korra from 2012 to 2014. He has also made guest appearances in several TV shows such as Married... with Children spinoff series Top of the Heap and Kelly Kelly. Faustino occasionally joins his former co-stars at reunion events to celebrate the show's legacy.

Christina Applegate as Kelly Bundy

Christina Applegate portrayed Kelly Bundy, the dim-witted but beautiful daughter in the family. She was portrayed as a promiscuous blonde who wasn't known for her intellect. After finding fame on Married With Children, Applegate went on to star as Veronica Corningstone in the hit 2004 comedy Anchorman alongside Will Ferrell. She also appeared in films such as The Sweetest Thing, Bad Moms, and Crash Pad. Recently, she starred in the Netflix dark comedy series Dead to Me. Now 50 years old, the actress is a breast cancer survivor and an advocate for early detection.

Katey Sagal as Peggy Bundy

Katey Sagal depicted Peggy Bundy, the housedress-wearing wife of Al who loved bonbons and daytime TV. Peg was often the only one who could cut Al down to size with her own brand of sarcasm. After playing the iconic Peg for a decade, Sagal went on to voice Leela on Futurama from 1999 to 2013. From 2008 to 2014, she starred as Gemma Teller Morrow on the FX series Sons of Anarchy. Most recently, she's had a recurring role on ABC's The Conners playing Louise Goldufski. At 68 years old, Sagal maintains a busy acting career in both comedies and dramas.

Supporting Cast Members

In addition to the core Bundy family, the show featured a memorable supporting cast of characters:

Amanda Bearse as Marcy Rhoades D'Arcy

Amanda Bearse played Marcy D'Arcy, the Bundys' feminist neighbor who worked as a banker. Marcy often sparred with Al and served as a foil to the Bundy family's dysfunction. After Married With Children, Bearse went on to direct episodes of other sitcoms like Reba and The Jamie Foxx Show. She also came out publicly in 1993. Today, the actress focuses her time on directing.

David Garrison as Steve Rhoades

David Garrison portrayed Marcy's first husband Steve Rhoades. Steve was a nerdy banker who was frequently the target of Al's insults. Garrison left the show in 1990, appearing in a few episodes over the remaining seasons. He went on to have extensive stage roles in Broadway productions like Wicked. He also had guest roles on shows like Spin City and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

Ted McGinley as Jefferson D'Arcy

Ted McGinley joined the show in 1990 as Marcy's second husband Jefferson D'Arcy. Jefferson was Peggy's dim-witted but handsome ex-con sidekick. McGinley went on to play roles in comedy films like Happy Gilmore and Office Space. He's also made guest appearances on TV shows like Hope & Faith, The West Wing, and Mad Men. The actor also published an autobiography in 2019 titled Funny Guy.

Buck the Dog as Buck Bundy

The Bundy family dog Buck appeared in over 100 episodes of Married With Children. The Briard breed dog was owned and trained by a Hollywood animal trainer. Buck truly became part of the Bundy family and was referenced many times on the show, even spawning occasional plot lines about his health scares. After the sitcom ended, Buck lived out his golden years with his trainer.

Legacy of a Classic Sitcom

Married With Children was a sitcom that broke boundaries for its time with its crass brand of humor about a dysfunctional American family. The show launched the careers of several actors and became a part of pop culture history. While Married With Children ended its run in 1997, it remains in syndication today delighting old fans and attracting new ones as well. The cast brought these iconic characters to life, delivering endless laughs for viewers during its 10 seasons.

FAQs

How many seasons did Married With Children run for?

Married With Children aired for 10 seasons from 1987 to 1997 on Fox.

What character did Ed O'Neill play?

Ed O'Neill played the role of Al Bundy, the miserable patriarch of the Bundy family.

Who played the role of Kelly Bundy?

Christina Applegate played the role of Kelly Bundy, the daughter of Al and Peggy.

What happened to David Garrison's character Steve Rhoades?

David Garrison left the show in 1990 after portraying Marcy's first husband Steve Rhoades for several seasons. He returned briefly for a few guest appearances.

Who joined the show later on as Jefferson D'Arcy?

Ted McGinley joined the cast in 1990 as Jefferson D'Arcy, Marcy's second husband and Peggy's sidekick.