Writer-producer-developer Norman Lear, who revolutionized American comedy with such daring, immensely popular early-‘70s sitcoms as “All in the Family” and “Sanford and Son,” died on Tuesday. He was 101. Lear’s publicist confirmed to Variety that he died at his home in Los Angeles of natural causes. A private service for immediate family will be held in the coming days. “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.” https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/norman-lear-dead-dies-tv-legend-all-in-the-family-1235823995/
All In The Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times, One Day At A Time, Maude. The guy was a cultural pioneer. He took on extremely controversial topics that were largely avoided in general public media at the time like racism, gender roles, poverty, divorce, abortion, etc. The guy was a world-changer for bringing these topics into the open for discussion.
Knew all about his career in television. Had no idea about his military service. The man flew 52 missions as a radio operator/gunner on a B-17 during WWII and was awarded an Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters. What a life! RIP
101...dang. Definitely ahead of the social curve. Would be great to see his thoughts on the changes he witnessed.
I read somewhere years ago that the actor who played Lamont chased him with a pistol on set high on cocaine...anyways RIP.
lol. would not surprise me at all. I knew an engineer that used to regularly get high with Lamont outside the studios way back in the 70s. Forward 30 years and the engineer found God, worked at TBN and one day Demond Wilson (Lamont) walked into the studio promoting a book, only to see the engineer he used to get high with.
I loved this dude's shows. They're a part of my childhood. I loved Sanford & Son so much, I emailed Lamont to get his book and another one autographed/personalized for a friend. lolol. I later bought Lear's autobiography, too. That was a great time to be alive if you were into sitcoms. R.I.P. Mr. Lear.
RIP to an incredibly influential man. It’s hard to think of what television or our culture in general would be like without Norman Lear. He certainly got his piece of the pie and is now onto the deluxe apartment in the sky.
