TV Legend Norman Lear Has Died at 101
Best known for this work on All in the Family and The Jeffersons, Lear's impact on TV cannot be understated.
Photo Courtesy of Peter Yang and CBS TV News Obits
Norman Lear, the legendary TV producer and writer, has sadly passed away at the age of 101. According to a statement released early this morning, he died of natural causes on Tuesday, surrounded by family in his Los Angeles home.
Lear, whose expansive TV portfolio includes the historic All in the Family and its various spinoffs, including The Jeffersons, Maude, Archie Bunker’s Palace, Good Times, Gloria, and 704 Hauser, was revolutionary in the industry. His work in the sitcom space drastically changed the way TV was consumed and engaged with, creating a television empire that captured all aspects of American life through its hundreds of episodes. All in the Family and its spinoffs showcased each aspect of the political spectrum, allowing the sitcom to venture away from crowd-pleasing comedy and closer towards biting social commentary. Tackling everything from abortion to race relations to Reaganomics, Lear sought to give the American people a voice in his shows, allowing them to feel seen by the flawed and funny characters that entered their homes once a week.
Lear maintained an overall deal with Sony Television into his 100s, allowing the prolific producer to continue to shape our TV landscape. Lear always believed that television can (and should) have something important to say, and that message transferred from All in the Family all the way to his involvement in the One Day at a Time reboot.
In his decades-long career, Lear encapsulated the heart of the TV sitcom; his characters were flawed but still funny, and his shows poked fun at the cultural zeitgeist while always having something interesting and ultimately important to say. His work will remain influential for generations to come, and television will always have a piece of his spirit infused into its very fiber. His work will live on in television history; Lear will be dearly missed.
Anna Govert is the TV Editor of Paste Magazine. For any and all thoughts about TV, film, and her unshakable love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you can follow her @annagovert.
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