The actress who played Peggy Bundy on “Married… with Children” once revealed that the sitcom’s irreverent tone almost made her think it would fail. But the show’s success not only changed her career but also coincided with her journey into motherhood.
When “Married… with Children” first premiered, its brash humor and unconventional characters set it apart from other sitcoms of the time. At the center of the show was Peggy Bundy, the sharp-witted and fashionably over-the-top matriarch, brought to life by an actress who had first made her mark as a singer before turning to acting.
The actress pictured in 1986 | Source: Getty Images
While her on-screen persona exuded comedic confidence, the actress’ personal life was filled with challenges. In the early 1990s, during the height of the show’s popularity, she endured the loss of her first child. Over the years, however, she went on to raise three children, each with their own creative aspirations.
The actress photographed in California, in 1990 | Source: Getty Images
From Singing Waitress to Peggy Bundy – A Look at Her Career
Before her breakthrough on “Married… with Children,” the actress pursued a music career. She worked as a backup singer for industry icons like Bette Midler and Etta James, showcasing her vocal talents long before stepping into the spotlight as an actress.
The singer and actress performs on April 20, 1994 | Source: Getty Images
She even worked as a singing waitress, where she entertained diners with live performances of songs like “Brown Eyed Girl.” Despite her charm and musical talent, she jokingly recalled mishaps, such as spilling blue cheese dressing on customers while serving tables.
The actress and singer-songwriter, circa 1987 | Source: Getty Images
Her transition into acting came unexpectedly. She was approached to audition for “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” despite not actively seeking acting roles. “Are you kidding? I’m not even looking for a job as an actor. I’m a musician,” she said at the time.
The actress pictured on May 29, 1990 | Source: Getty Images
Still, her talent stood out, and the opportunity kick-started her acting career, leading to several roles before her big break. In 1987, she landed a role on “Married… with Children.” The sitcom was unlike anything else on television at the time, with its edgy humor and untraditional portrayal of family life.
Part of the “Married… with Children” cast pictured in Los Angeles, in 1988 | Source: Getty Images
As Peggy, she quickly became known for her bold fashion, big hair, and quick wit. In a 2021 interview, the actress recalled that for the first three seasons, she styled her own hair.
It wasn’t until the show’s growing success that the network provided her with a wig, signifying their investment in her character’s iconic look.
She also remembered the moment she and her co-star Ed O’Neill realized the show had become a hit. While on a promo tour, they participated in a parade, where fans cheered and waved at them enthusiastically.
The actress and Ed O’Neal pictured on the set of “Married With Children” in 1987 | Source: Getty Images
“We thought nobody was gonna really watch it because it was so irreverent and so not like anything else on TV,” she said. But the show went on to air for 11 seasons, solidifying Peggy as one of the most memorable characters in television history.
During the height of the show’s popularity, the actress experienced a heartbreaking tragedy that profoundly shaped her journey into motherhood.
The Heartbreaking Loss of Her First Child
In October 1991, the actress experienced a devastating loss when her daughter, Ruby, was stillborn at nearly eight months. At the time, her pregnancy had been written into the show’s storyline, but following the tragedy, it was removed and later dismissed as a dream sequence.
The loss was a deeply traumatic event for the actress, who later revealed her struggles with coming to terms with what had happened. She shared that she initially blamed herself, questioning whether she had overworked during her pregnancy or overlooked signs of illness.
“This is what they say about stillbirth, that 60 percent of it is God’s will and there’s no medical reason—and that’s what I was told. And I just couldn’t let go of the control of somehow, [the notion that] I had done something wrong,” she recalled.
For months following the tragedy, the actress rarely left her home except to visit doctors and psychic healers, seeking answers and comfort. It wasn’t until a close friend offered her a spiritual perspective that she began to heal.
The actress poses for a photo in 1988 | Source: Getty Images
“Sometimes we have these little souls that come in and out [of our lives], and their mission is completed,” her friend told her. This perspective, she said, gave her solace and helped her begin to move forward.
In the years that followed, she went on to become a mother to three children, but Ruby’s memory has remained a significant part of her life story.
The Eldest: Sarah White
Three years after the loss of her first child, Ruby, the actress welcomed her daughter Sarah Grace White in 1994. Sarah is now 30 years old and has pursued both acting and music. She studied drama in college and spent time abroad in London, which she later credited for helping her grow as a performer.
In 2015, Sarah made her screen debut in FX’s “The Bastard Executioner,” a series created by her stepfather, Kurt Sutter, and one in which her mother also played a role.
Sarah humbly acknowledged the connection that helped her land the part, describing it as “a little nepotism,” but also as a dream come true.
In addition to acting, Sarah has pursued a music career, releasing her first single in October 2022. Fans have often commented on Sarah’s appearance, leaving comments such as, “Wow, she is beautiful,” and “A beauty like her mom!!! 💜💜💜” on social media posts featuring her.
The Middle Child: Jackson White
Born in 1996, Jackson is the actress’ second child and has become a rising star in Hollywood. Although he was initially discouraged by his mother from pursuing acting until he turned 18, Jackson eventually followed his passion and gained widespread attention for his work in film and television.
The actress with her children Sarah and Jackson attending the premiere of the film “Shrek 2” on May 8, 2004 | Source: Getty Images
After briefly studying music at the University of Southern California, Jackson realized that college wasn’t for him and turned to acting. He made his debut in 2019 with HBO’s miniseries “Mrs. Fletcher,” which earned him recognition as a breakout star.
His mother proudly celebrated his success, sharing a post on Instagram with the caption, “Proud of him. The boy.” Despite her initial advice to pursue another career, the actress supported Jackson’s path in Hollywood.
Reflecting on his mother’s words of wisdom, Jackson admitted with humor, “It didn’t really work—I was still pretty childish in my early 20s—I’m still childish.” With Sarah and Jackson both carving out creative paths, the youngest sibling has grown up in a family deeply rooted in the arts.
The Youngest: Esmé Louise Sutter
In 2007, the actress and her husband, writer-producer Kurt Sutter, welcomed their daughter Esmé Louise via surrogate. At the time of Esmé’s birth, the actress was 52, and Sutter was 43. Although still young, Esmé has grown up surrounded by her family’s creative influence and achievements.
She frequently appears in her mother’s Instagram posts, drawing positive reactions from fans. In May 2023, her mother shared a photo of Esmé with the caption, “My beautiful Esmé.” Fans left comments like, “Oh, she’s like your mini-me,” “She’s so stunning,” and “She’s grown so much from her days at JAG.”
Whether sharing Esmé’s youthful charm, Jackson’s Hollywood breakthroughs, or Sarah’s creative ventures, the actress’ family photos continue to captivate fans, reflecting the life Katey Sagal, 70, has built beyond her iconic TV roles.
I Married a Single Mom with Two Daughters – A Week Later, the Girls Invited Me to Visit Their Dad in the Basement
When Jeff marries Claire, a single mom with two sweet daughters, life feels almost perfect — except for the eerie whispers about the basement. When the girls innocently ask him to “visit Dad,” Jeff discovers an unbelievable family secret.
Moving into Claire’s house after we were married felt like stepping into a carefully preserved memory. The wooden floors creaked with the weight of history, and the scent of vanilla candles lingered in the air.
Scented candles on a table | Source: Pexels
Sunlight poured through lace curtains, scattering patterns across the walls, while the hum of life filled every corner. The girls, Emma and Lily, buzzed around like hummingbirds, their laughter a constant melody, while Claire brought a sense of calm I hadn’t realized I’d been searching for.
It was the kind of house you wanted to call home. There was only one problem: the basement.
The door stood at the end of the hallway, painted the same eggshell white as the walls. It wasn’t overtly ominous — just a door. Yet something about it pulled at my attention.
An interior door | Source: Pexels
Maybe it was the way the girls whispered and glanced at it when they thought no one was looking. Or the way their giggles hushed whenever they caught me watching them.
But even though it was obvious to me, Claire didn’t seem to notice… or maybe she pretended not to.
“Jeff, can you grab the plates?” Claire’s voice called me back to reality. Dinner was macaroni and cheese — Emma and Lily’s favorite.
Macaroni and cheese in a baking dish | Source: Pexels
Emma, eight years old but already showing signs of her mom’s determination, followed me into the kitchen and studied me with unnerving focus. Her brown eyes, so much like Claire’s, flickered with curiosity.
“Do you ever wonder what’s in the basement?” she asked suddenly.
I nearly dropped the plates.
A man holding plates | Source: Midjourney
“What’s that?” I asked, trying to play it cool.
“The basement,” she hissed. “Don’t you wonder what’s down there?”
“The washing machine? Some boxes and old furniture?” I chuckled, but my laugh came out weak. “Or maybe there are monsters down there? Or treasure?”
Emma just smiled and walked back into the dining room.
A girl walking through a door | Source: Midjourney
In the dining room, Lily, only six but mischievous beyond her years, dissolved into giggles.
The next day, I was giving the girls their breakfast when Lily dropped her spoon. Her eyes went wide and she leaped off her chair to fetch it.
“Daddy hates loud noises,” she said in a sing-song.
I froze.
A stunned man | Source: Midjourney
Claire had never said much about Lily and Emma’s father. They were happily married at one point, but now he was “gone.” She’d never clarified if he was deceased or just living out his life somewhere else and I hadn’t pushed her.
I was beginning to think maybe I should’ve insisted she tell me what had happened to him.
A few days later, Lily was coloring at the breakfast table. The box of crayons and pencils was a chaotic rainbow spread across the table, but her focus was absolute. I leaned over to see what she was working on.
A child drawing in a book | Source: Pexels
“Is that us?” I asked, pointing to the stick figures she’d drawn.
Lily nodded without looking up. “That’s me and Emma. That’s Mommy. And that’s you.” She held up a crayon, considering its shade, before picking another for the final figure.
“And who’s that?” I asked, gesturing to the last figure standing slightly apart.
“That’s Daddy,” she said simply as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
A smiling child | Source: Midjourney
My heart skipped. Before I could ask anything else, Lily drew a gray square around the figure.
“And what’s that?” I asked.
“It’s our basement,” she said, her tone as matter-of-fact as ever.
Then, with the unshakable confidence of a six-year-old, she hopped off her chair and skipped away, leaving me staring at the drawing.
A troubled man | Source: Midjourney
By the end of the week, curiosity had become a gnawing thing. That night, as Claire and I sat on the couch with glasses of wine, I decided to bring it up.
“Claire,” I began carefully. “Can I ask you something about… the basement?”
She stilled, her wine glass poised mid-air. “The basement?”
“It’s just… the girls keep mentioning it. And Lily drew this picture with — well, it doesn’t matter. I guess I’m just curious.”
A man sitting on a sofa | Source: Midjourney
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Jeff, there’s nothing to worry about. It’s just a basement. Old, damp, and probably full of spiders. Trust me, you don’t want to go down there.”
Her voice was firm, but her eyes betrayed her. She wasn’t just dismissing the topic; she was burying it.
“And their dad?” I pressed gently. “Sometimes they talk about him like he’s still… living here.”
A serious man | Source: Midjourney
Claire exhaled, setting her glass down. “He passed two years ago. It was sudden, an illness. The girls were devastated. I’ve tried to protect them as much as I can, but kids process grief in their ways.”
There was a crack in her voice, a hesitation that hung heavy in the air. I didn’t push further, but the unease clung to me like a shadow.
It all came to a head the following week.
A couple standing in their home | Source: Midjourney
Claire was at work, and both girls were home, sick with the sniffles and mild fevers. I’d been juggling juice boxes, crackers, and episodes of their favorite cartoon when Emma wandered into the room, her face unusually serious.
“Do you want to visit Daddy?” she asked, her voice steady in a way that made my chest tighten.
I froze. “What do you mean?”
Close up of a man’s eyes | Source: Midjourney
Lily appeared behind her, clutching a stuffed rabbit.
“Mommy keeps him in the basement,” she said, as casually as if she were talking about the weather.
My stomach dropped. “Girls, that’s not funny.”
“It’s not a joke,” Emma said firmly. “Daddy stays in the basement. We can show you.”
An earnest girl | Source: Midjourney
Against every rational instinct, I followed them.
The air grew colder as we descended the creaky wooden steps, the dim bulb casting eerie, flickering shadows. The musty smell of mildew filled my nose, and the walls felt oppressively close.
I paused on the bottom step and peered into the darkness, scanning for anything that could explain why the girls believed their father was living down here.
A dimly lit basement | Source: Pexels
“Over here,” Emma said, taking my hand and leading me toward a small table in the corner.
The table was decorated with colorful drawings, toys, and a few wilted flowers. At its center sat an urn, simple and unassuming. My heart skipped a beat.
“See, here’s Daddy.” Emma smiled up at me as she pointed to the urn.
A girl with an urn | Source: Midjourney
“Hi, Daddy!” Lily chirped, patting the urn like it was a pet. She then turned to look at me. “We visit him down here so he doesn’t feel lonely.”
Emma placed a hand on my arm, her voice soft. “Do you think he misses us?”
My throat closed, the weight of their innocence bringing me to my knees. I pulled them both into a hug.
“Your daddy… he can’t miss you because he’s always with you,” I whispered. “In your hearts. In your memories. You’ve made a beautiful place for him here.”
A man hugging two girls | Source: Midjourney
When Claire came home that evening, I told her everything. Her face crumpled as she listened, tears spilling over.
“I didn’t know,” she admitted, her voice shaking. “I thought putting him down there would give us space to move on. I didn’t realize they… oh my God. My poor girls.”
“You did nothing wrong. They just… they still need to feel close to him,” I said gently. “In their way.”
A couple having an emotional conversation | Source: Midjourney
We sat in silence, the weight of the past pressing down on us. Finally, Claire straightened, wiping her eyes.
“We’ll move him,” she said. “Somewhere better. That way Emma and Lily can mourn him without having to go down into that musty basement.”
The next day, we set up a new table in the living room. The urn took its place among family photos, surrounded by the girls’ drawings.
An urn on a table | Source: Midjourney
That evening, Claire gathered Emma and Lily to explain.
“Your dad isn’t in that urn,” she told them softly. “Not really. He’s in the stories we tell and the love we share. That’s how we keep him close.”
Emma nodded solemnly, while Lily clutched her stuffed bunny.
“Can we still say hi to him?” she asked.
A girl holding a stuffed bunny | Source: Midjourney
“Of course,” Claire said, her voice breaking just a little. “And you can still draw pictures for him. That’s why we’ve brought his urn up here and made a special place for it.”
Lily smiled. “Thank you, Mommy. I think Daddy will be happier up here with us.”
We started a new tradition that Sunday. As the sun set, we lit a candle by the urn and sat together. The girls shared their drawings and memories and Claire told stories about their dad — his laugh, his love for music, the way he used to dance with them in the kitchen.
A woman talking to her daughters | Source: Midjourney
As I watched them, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. I wasn’t there to replace him, I realized. My role was to add to the love already holding this family together.
And I was honored to be part of it.
Here’s another story: When a new family moved in next door, the eerie resemblance between their daughter and my own sent me spiraling into suspicion. Could my husband be hiding an affair? I had to confront him, but the truth turned out to be far darker than I imagined.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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