Remembering Iconic TV Pioneer Norman Lear, Who Left a Legacy of Laughter and Social Commentary

Television writer and producer Norman Lear, known for incorporating political and social commentary into sitcoms like "All in the Family," passed away on Tuesday at his Los Angeles home at the age of 101. Lear demonstrated the ability to blend topical issues with humor, attracting a wide audience.

Lara Bergthold, a spokesperson for the family, verified the passing.

“Thank you for the moving outpouring of love and support in honor of our wonderful husband, father, and grandfather,” Lear’s family said in a statement. “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. Knowing and loving him has been the greatest of gifts. We ask for your understanding as we mourn privately in celebration of this remarkable human being.”

Read- Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of Norman Lear

Norman Lear: The Mastermind Behind Ahead-Of-Their-Time Sitcoms

Norman Lear dominated the television landscape throughout the 1970s and into the early '80s, imprinting a lasting influence with sitcoms that brought a sense of reality into the genre.

Having already solidified his reputation as a prominent comedy writer and earning an Oscar nomination in 1968 for the screenplay of "Divorce American Style," Norman Lear conceived a new sitcom idea. Drawing inspiration from a popular British show, he developed a series centered around a conservative, openly bigoted working-class man and his tumultuous Queens family. "All in the Family" quickly became a widespread success, resonating with audiences across various political leanings.

“You looked around television in those years,” Mr. Lear said in a 2012 New York Times interview, referring to the middle and late 1960s, “and the biggest problem any family faced was ‘Mother dented the car, and how do you keep Dad from finding out’; ‘the boss is coming to dinner, and the roast’s ruined.’ The message that was sending out was that we didn’t have any problems.”

Norman Lear's television shows were pioneers in addressing serious political, cultural, and social issues of their time, including racism, abortion, homosexuality, and the Vietnam War. He skillfully introduced new elements into the standard domestic comedy formula, fearlessly tackling taboo subjects. For example, in 1977, two episodes of "All in the Family" centered around the attempted rape of the lead character Archie Bunker's wife, Edith.

The success and political engagement of 'All in the Family' led to a string of equally popular spinoffs with political undertones, such as 'Sanford and Son,' 'Maude,' 'The Jeffersons,' 'One Day At A Time,' and 'Good Times.'

Lear constantly asserted that the fundamental formula for his comedies came down to a simple principle:  Keep them laughing.

Working Till The End

Even turning as old as 90 did not stop Lear from working. Teaming up with Jimmy Kimmel, the 95-year-old producer and host contributed to three episodes of "Live in Front of a Studio Audience," earning Primetime Emmy Awards in 2019 and 2020. The series featured contemporary stars such as Jamie Foxx, Woody Harrelson, and Viola Davis, recreating original episodes of "The Jeffersons," "All in the Family," and "Good Times."

“I like getting up in the morning with something on my mind, something I can work on … to some conclusion,” Lear said.

The 2016 documentary "Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You" delved into his extensive career. In his later years, he ventured into hosting the podcast "All of the Above With Norman Lear" and authored a memoir titled "Even This I Get to Experience" in 2014. Additionally, he took on the role of executive producer for the documentary "Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided to Go For It."

In his 2014 memoir, "Even This I Get to Experience," Lear credited the triumph of his series to narratives inspired by the genuine experiences of his writers, contributing to the authenticity of the characters they crafted.

“The audiences themselves taught me that you can get some wonderful laughs on the surface with funny performers and good jokes,” he wrote, “But if you want them laughing from the belly, you stand a better chance if you can get them caring first.”

Norman Lear is survived by his third wife, Lyn Davis, as well as six children and four grandchildren.