Renowned TV and Film Producer Norman Lear Passes Away at Age 101
Norman Lear, the legendary TV and movie producer, passed away at the age of 101 Known for groundbreaking sitcoms like All in the Family and The Jeffersons, Lear's witty and socially impactful shows revolutionized television in the 1970s His family confirmed his demise on his website
Renowned television producer Norman Lear, known for creating hit TV sitcoms like "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons" that blended humor with astute social commentary, passed away on Tuesday at his Los Angeles home, as announced on his family's website. He was 101.
"Norman led a life marked by curiosity, determination, and compassion. He had a deep love for our country and dedicated his life to upholding its core values of justice and equality for all," his family expressed. "Starting out in the early era of live television, he found his passion in depicting the authentic lives of everyday Americans, rather than a sanitized portrayal. Initially facing rejection and misunderstanding, he refused to give up on his belief that the complexities of human nature made for compelling television, and eventually his work resonated."
Lear's groundbreaking shows like "Sanford and Son," "Maude," and "Good Times" fearlessly addressed issues of racism, feminism, and social inequalities. As an executive producer, he was behind iconic films such as "The Princess Bride" and "Fried Green Tomatoes" and received an Academy Award nomination for best screenplay for "Divorce American Style." Additionally, his political activism led to the formation of the liberal political organization People for the American Way.
In his 90s, Lear continued to work, teaming up with Jimmy Kimmel to produce and host three episodes of "Live in Front of a Studio Audience," which won Primetime Emmy Awards in 2019 and 2020. The re-created episodes of "The Jeffersons," "All in the Family" and "Good Times" featured current stars such as Jamie Foxx, Woody Harrelson and Viola Davis. Lear and his business partner Brent Miller also rebooted some of his 70s sitcom successes, including "One Day at a Time."
This is a developing story and will be updated.
