Norman Lear, All In The Family Creator & Television Maverick, Dies At 101
The entertainment world has lost another legend. Norman Lear, the developer of iconic sitcoms such as "All In the Family" and "Sanford and Son," died on Tuesday night at the age of 101. Variety confirmed the heartbreaking news by sharing a statement from the veteran creator's family that read: "Thank you for the moving outpouring of love and support in honor of our wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. 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."
As a television maverick who brought social-class consciousness to the small screen, Lear will be greatly missed. His contributions to film and television cannot be overstated. Yes, his work will be forever remembered for making people laugh. However, his greatest attribute was his unwavering desire to challenge viewers by confronting them with complicated emotional truths.
Norman Lear transformed sitcoms
Lear's career began in 1950 as a writer on the variety comedy show "Four Star Revue," and the small screen is arguably where he made the most impact. By the 1970s, Lear transformed the sitcom landscape — developing, writing, and producing a slew of sitcoms still highly regarded to this day. Some of these shows include "All In the Family," "Sanford and Son," "The Jeffersons," "Maude," and "Good Times" — all of which are influential works.
To his credit, Lear's sitcoms are eternally funny and peppered with thought-provoking social commentary. "All of the Family" is a prime example of one of a show that combines humor with daring ideas. The series follows Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor), a rude conservative family man, who often finds himself at odds with his more liberally minded son-in-law, Michael Stivic (Rob Reiner). The characters' differing ideologies allow the show to explore everything from class issues to American race relations, which are common themes throughout Lear's oeuvre.
According to The New York Times, Lear's '70s sitcoms also led to other TV comedies introducing more "Very Special Episodes" into their seasons. These episodes earnestly explore sensitive subjects, often with emotional, dramatic, and controversial results. For example, the "Maude" episode titled "Maude's Dilemma" sees the titular character get an abortion, and the response divided viewers at the time. As Entertainment Weekly notes, Lear once said that the two-part special caused some upset in his own household, but he made it as he was dedicated to telling stories about topics real people talk about.
Norman Lear's supported charitable causes
Lear's socially conscious mindset didn't just inform his creative output. The legendary creator was also known for supporting various charitable and philanthropic causes. In 1997, he launched the Lear Family Foundation to support several non-profit organizations in the United States and abroad, including Planned Parenthood and UNICEF.
Additionally, Lear was part of a philanthropic group called The Malibu Mafia. Per Time, its members were wealthy Jewish men who sought a solution to the Israeli-Palestine conflict and to end nuclear weapons, among other global peace goals. Furthermore, the legendary sitcom creator was known for helping people engage with politics: He even went on tour with a copy of "The Declaration of Independence" in the early 2000s. Lear's legacy inspired people to think about improving the world around them and he wasn't afraid to ruffle a few feathers along the way.