When Married with Children first hit the airwaves in 1987, American television was about to meet a character that would leave an unforgettable mark on pop culture: Peggy Bundy — the loud, lazy, leopard-print-loving housewife with big red hair, even bigger attitude, and zero interest in housework.
At the heart of this character was Katey Sagal, who took on the role at 33 years old, bringing a fiery comedic presence that became central to the show’s success. Over the next 10 years, Sagal stayed loyal to the role, appearing in all 11 seasons of the hit Fox sitcom.
But what made Peggy Bundy — and Katey Sagal’s portrayal — so iconic?
A Revolutionary Anti-Housewife
At a time when many sitcoms featured wholesome, apron-wearing mothers, Married with Children flipped the script. Peggy wasn’t interested in cooking or cleaning — she was busy watching TV, eating bonbons, and tossing sarcastic jabs at her grumpy shoe salesman husband, Al. She was hilarious, unapologetically herself, and far more interested in fun than chores.
Katey Sagal didn’t just play Peggy — she helped define her. The character’s now-iconic fashion (think tight leggings, high heels, and wild hair) was partly Sagal’s idea. Her comedic timing, expressive face, and bold energy turned what could have been a caricature into a deeply entertaining and oddly lovable personality.
The Impact of a 10-Year Role
Staying with the show for a full decade, Sagal became a household name. But her time on Married with Children was also marked by challenges. In 1991, during the filming of season 6, she tragically suffered a stillbirth. The show paused production and ultimately wrote her real-life pregnancy into the storyline, only to later reveal it was a dream sequence to reflect the loss.
Through it all, Katey Sagal stayed strong — both personally and professionally. Her commitment to the role made her a fan favorite, and her resilience off-screen earned widespread respect.
Life After Peggy
After Married with Children ended in 1997, many wondered if Sagal would ever escape the long shadow of Peggy Bundy. She answered that question by reinventing herself repeatedly — taking on dramatic roles like Gemma Teller in Sons of Anarchy, voicing Leela in Futurama, and appearing in shows like 8 Simple Rules, The Conners, and The Big Bang Theory.
Now in her 70s, Katey Sagal is considered a TV legend — not just for who she played, but for how she transformed those roles into something greater than the script.