Hollywood mourns the loss of legendary writer and producer Norman Lear, who passed away at the age of 101 on January 9, 2022. Lear, who celebrated his 100th birthday in 2021, has left an indelible mark on television with his iconic and groundbreaking works.
One of Lear’s most well-known and beloved creations was the sitcom “All in the Family,” which ran from 1971 to 1979. The show, which focused on the controversial and lovable character of Archie Bunker, was praised for its realistic depiction of a working-class American family. It won a total of 22 Emmy awards, including the award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1971.
Legendary writer and producer Norman Lear died at age 101. Revisit his 2015 conversation with Anna Sale where he talks about his childhood and how it shaped the way he’s raised his own kids in this Death, Sex, and Money episode. https://t.co/BdZG63mkIf
— WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) December 6, 2023
Another memorable show from Lear’s catalog is “One Day at a Time,” a remake of the original 1975 series. The show, featuring a Cuban-American family, aired for four seasons on Netflix from 2017 to 2020. Lear served as executive producer, bringing his signature warmth and relatable storytelling to the modern-day version of the show.
Lear also made waves with “The Jeffersons,” which ran from 1975 to 1985. The show, centered on a successful African-American family, broke barriers and paved the way for more diverse representation on television.
In addition to his work in sitcoms, Lear also ventured into documentaries with the 2016 EPIX series “America Divided.” The show, co-produced by Shonda Rhimes and Common, explored issues of inequality in America and aimed to spark important conversations about the current state of the country.
Throughout his career, Lear’s main goal was to bring joy to people. “My awards and accolades mean a great deal to me, but they don’t mean as much as the drive to the studio today. I still explode with joy, excitement, interest and utter delight every time,” he said in an interview before his 100th birthday.
