Norman Lear, a prolific writer and producer, who brought groundbreaking comedy series All in the Family and The Jeffersons to television, has died. He was 101.
The Hollywood icon died of natural causes on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at his home in Los Angeles, his family said in a statement to the media.
“Norman lived a life of creativity, tenacity, and empathy. He deeply loved our country and spent a lifetime helping to preserve its founding ideals of justice and equality for all,” the statement read. “Knowing and loving him has been the greatest of gifts.”
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A native of New Haven, Connecticut, Lear was best known for bringing comedy series to audiences that helped change the TV landscape.
In addition to creating All in the Family and developing its spinoff, The Jeffersons, he created Maude (1972–1978), and produced Sanford and Son (1972–1977), One Day at a Time (1975–1984), Good Times (1974–1979), and Diff’rent Strokes (1978-86), about two Black kids adopted by a wealthy white businessman.
Norman Milton Lear was born to Jewish parents of Russian and Ukrainian descent in 1922. After graduating from high school, he briefly attended college before dropping out to join the military.
Once he returned home, he moved to Los Angeles and worked as a furniture salesman, a press agent, and wrote comedy sketches on the side. He was eventually hired as a writer for CBS. In 1968, the network picked up a pilot he wrote inspired by his family called “Those Were the Days.” The show was renamed All in the Family and premiered 1971.
Over the years, Lear won six Emmys, two Peabody Awards, the National Medal of Arts, a Kennedy Center Honor, and was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. He also received an Oscar nomination for his screenplay of the film Divorce American Style (1967).
He made history at age 97 in 2019, as the oldest person ever to win an Emmy as a producer with Jimmy Kimmel of Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons.’
At the time, Lear told reporters he wasn’t concerned about age.
“I don’t think about it a lot,” he said jokingly. “I like waking up in the morning.”
Lear also hosted the podcast “All of the Above With Norman Lear.” He is survived by his third wife Lyn and six children.
As news of his death spread, he was remembered by friends and fans on social media.
“Farewell to the incomparable Norman Lear, a trailblazer who challenged norms and shifted the paradigm through the laughter and lessons you’ve shared. It was an honor to be a small part of your impact and to witness it in my lifetime. To a legacy and life well-lived, thank you,” Wanda Sykes shared on X/Twitter.
Farewell to the incomparable Norman Lear, a trailblazer who challenged norms and shifted the paradigm through the laughter and lessons you've shared. It was an honor to be a small part of your impact and to witness it in my lifetime. To a legacy and life well-lived, thank you… pic.twitter.com/lL5LCZgfb4
— Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) December 6, 2023
“I loved Norman Lear with all my heart. He was my second father. Sending my love to Lyn and the whole Lear family,” All in the Family star Rob Reiner shared on X/Twitter:
“More than anyone before him, Norman used situation comedy to shine a light on prejudice, intolerance, and inequality. He created families that mirrored ours,” Jimmy Kimmel said in a statement.
“A master of storytelling and a healer through his shows! He is what all of showbiz should be aspiring to. He is the consummate creative producer we have long abandoned in the industry” John Leguizamo wrote on X.
“My Goat. What a life. Rest well, Norman Lear.” Quinta Brunson shared on X.
“Nobody was better on writing about the human condition than Norman Lear. From all walks of life, Norman educated us how deep down, no matter the culture. We are all the same,” Hollywood publicist Danny Deraney added on X.
