Christina Applegate and Ed O'Neill, the dynamic father-daughter duo from the beloved sitcom “Married… With Children,” have shared a remarkable journey over the past 11 seasons. Their on-screen chemistry as Al and Kelly Bundy became iconic, but the bond they formed behind the scenes has proven to be just as enduring.
On the latest episode of Christina Applegate's MeSsy podcast, co-hosted by Jamie-Lynn Sigler, the two reminisced about their days on the hit show and their relationship's evolution since it wrapped up in 1997. It was a nostalgic stroll down memory lane, filled with heartfelt reflections and laughter.
Christina Applegate, with her characteristic candor, shared her feelings about Ed O'Neill in a way that only someone who has shared so much time and experience with another could. “I don’t even know how to explain this person,” Applegate said with a smile. “He raised me, so if you don’t like anything about me, it’s his fault. If you do like anything about me, also his fault.” Her playful yet genuine tribute to O'Neill highlighted the deep impact he had on her life, both professionally and personally.
Applegate didn't just focus on the past; she also celebrated their present-day connection. “I love our relationship now, Eddie,” she said warmly. “Being 52 years old and still being able to talk on the phone for hours, giggling and discussing everything—it's a joy. I talk to you more than anyone else, even though I’m not usually a phone person.” Their ongoing friendship is a testament to how strong their bond remains, even after all these years.
Ed O'Neill, for his part, spoke fondly of working with Applegate. “Christina was great,” he said. “Most people know she has a photographic memory, so she knew all her lines before anyone else could even read them. Working with her was fantastic—she was hilarious. Of course, I drove her nuts over time, but that’s just part of it.”
Their on-screen camaraderie might have been full of humor and dysfunction, but off-screen, it was a different story. Applegate opened up about the challenges she faced during her teenage years, including dealing with her mother’s cancer diagnosis and struggling with an eating disorder. “I think I was just trying to hold myself up,” she explained. “Eddie knows that I was going through so much behind the scenes, and I was kinda breaking apart. My way of keeping it together was by putting on this armor.”
Despite her struggles, O'Neill was a steadfast presence in her life. “He went through everything with me,” Applegate said. “From my mom’s cancer to other personal battles, he was there.”
The show, which aired on Fox, featured a young Applegate as Kelly Bundy, the fashionable yet clueless teenage daughter of Al (O'Neill) and Peggy (Katey Sagal). David Faustino rounded out the Bundy family as the sarcastic son, Bud. “Married… With Children” became one of the longest-running sitcoms in American television history, spanning 11 seasons and 259 episodes.
Even after the show ended, the Bundy family remained close. Applegate shared that the cast still keeps in touch regularly. “Not a lot of time goes by without someone checking in,” she said. “Eddie and I talk on the phone all the time. Katey has come over and laid in bed with me, and I see Dave a lot. Our kids even went to the same school for a while.”
Addressing O'Neill directly, Applegate said, “You’re my family. From being a kid and growing up with you all from 15 to 24, you hold a huge part of my heart. I hold you in higher esteem than anyone else.”
The enduring affection and respect between Applegate and O'Neill are heartwarming reminders of the lasting impact of genuine relationships forged on and off screen. Their story is a testament to the power of friendship and family, proving that the bonds we build can last a lifetime, even as the years go by.
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