You probably remember her as Gloria Stivic, the blonde, high-voiced daughter of Archie Bunker who spent most of the 1970s trying to bridge the gap between her bigoted father and her "meathead" husband. Or maybe you're a Millennial who knows her as Babette Dell, the eccentric, lovable neighbor in Gilmore Girls who always had a story and a colorful sweater ready to go. Either way, seeing a current picture of Sally Struthers in 2026 might surprise you.
She isn't sitting in a rocking chair. Far from it.
At 78 years old, Sally Struthers is effectively the marathon runner of regional theater. While many of her peers have retreated to quiet lives in the Hollywood Hills, Struthers is often found in the back of a tour bus or in a dressing room in New Brunswick, New Jersey, or Long Island. She’s busy. Like, "don't-have-time-to-retire" busy.
What Sally Struthers Looks Like Now
If you scroll through recent photos of her from late 2025 or early 2026, the first thing you notice is that she still has that unmistakable spark. The hair is often still that signature blonde, though styled for whatever role she’s currently inhabiting. Most recently, she’s been sporting a look that fits her character in the Netflix series A Man on the Inside, where she stars alongside Ted Danson.
Honestly, the "current picture" people are looking for isn't just one of her on a red carpet. It's her on stage.
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Recently, she’s been making headlines not just for her acting, but for a pretty significant health transformation. Struthers reportedly lost about 40 to 50 pounds over the last few years. She didn't do it through some "magic pill" or a Hollywood fad diet. According to an interview she gave to People magazine in late 2025, it was about a total mindset shift. She started biking around Los Angeles on a 10-speed and focused on what she calls "self-compassion."
She told interviewers that she’s "staying active and feeling good about it." It shows. In her latest appearances, she looks vibrant. There’s a lightness to her that seems to come from finally being comfortable in her own skin after decades of being under the harsh microscope of public opinion.
The Myth of Her Retirement
There is this weird thing that happens when an actor isn't on a major network sitcom every Tuesday night—people just assume they died or retired. Sally gets this all the time. She’s actually joked about it in interviews, saying fans come up to her on the street and act all "obsequious," telling her how much they miss seeing her on TV.
Her response? "I work all the time!"
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Where she's been lately:
- The Stage: She recently wrapped a run in An Old-Fashioned Family Murder at the George Street Playhouse. She played Shirley Peck, a role specifically written for her by Tony winner Joe DiPietro.
- Netflix: You can catch her in the 2024 series A Man on the Inside.
- Upcoming Work: She’s slated to appear in The Full Monty at The Gateway on Long Island in early 2026.
Basically, if you aren't seeing her, it's because you aren't looking at a theater marquee. She’s reached that "legend" status where she doesn't even have to audition anymore. She told People that auditions "suck," and honestly, who can blame her? After two Emmys and fifty years in the biz, if you don't know what Sally Struthers can do, that’s on you.
Why She Keeps Going
It’s not just about the paycheck, though she’s been candid about needing to work to pay the bills. There’s a deeper, more personal reason. Sally lost her mother to Alzheimer’s after a nine-year battle. That experience left a mark on her. She views her work—the memorizing of herculean soliloquies and the constant travel—as a way to keep her brain "scared and active."
She admitted to TheaterMania that she’s often "scared out of her mind" that she’ll forget a line on stage. But that fear is exactly what keeps her sharp. It’s her way of fighting back against the cognitive decline she witnessed in her mother.
A Legacy Beyond the Sitcom
While the current picture of Sally Struthers shows a woman who has aged with a lot of grace and a lot of grit, she carries the weight of her history with her. She is currently the only surviving member of the core All in the Family cast following the passing of Rob Reiner in late 2025.
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That fact adds a layer of poignancy to her recent public appearances. When she reunited with her Gilmore Girls co-star Rose Abdoo (who played Gypsy) in January 2026, fans went wild on Instagram. It’s a reminder that she isn't just a face from the past; she’s a bridge between the Golden Age of TV and the modern streaming era.
She’s also still very much an activist. While the late-night commercials for the Christian Children's Fund are a thing of the past, she still uses her platform to advocate for children's welfare.
Staying Connected with Sally
If you’re looking to keep up with what she’s doing next, don't bother looking for a verified TikTok account. She isn't that kind of celebrity. Instead:
- Check Playbill: Most of her work is announced through theatrical trade publications.
- Follow Co-Stars: Her "Gilmore" family and stage castmates are usually the ones posting those candid, "current" photos on Instagram.
- Watch the Credits: She’s been doing more voice work and guest spots on streaming platforms than you might realize.
Sally Struthers is a reminder that "aging out" of Hollywood is a choice, not a requirement. She’s opted to keep the lights on, the voice loud, and the schedule packed. Whether she's biking through LA or taking a bow in New Jersey, she's proving that the best version of yourself isn't necessarily the one from fifty years ago. It's the one that shows up today.
To stay updated on her latest theatrical runs, keep an eye on regional theater calendars in the Northeast, as she remains a staple of the touring circuit.