Norman Lear1922 - 2023

usually

Production

Popularity

3.5

Famous

Biography

Norman Milton Lear (July 27, 1922 – December 5, 2023) was a legendary American television writer and producer who produced such 1970s sitcoms as All in the Family, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, Good Times, Maude. As a political activist, he founded the advocacy organization People for the American Way in 1981 and has supported First Amendment rights and progressive causes. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, to Enie/Jeanette (Sokolovsky) and Hyman "Herman" Lear, a traveling salesman. His grandparents were all Russian Jewish immigrants. Jeanette was the inspiration for the character Edith Bunker, and Herman for Archie Bunker. Lear won a one year-scholarship to Emerson College. He dropped out when news about Pearl Harbor struck, and decided to enroll in the United States Army. He was nineteen. In the army, Norman was a radio operator. He was discharged in 1945. Norman landed a press agent job but was not being paid well so decided to pursue another career. In 1954, he was a writer for the CBS sitcom, Honestly, Celeste! Lear then became the producer of NBC's The Martha Raye Show. In 1959, he created his first TV series with Roland Kibbee, The Deputy, on NBC, starring Henry Fonda. In 1967 his comedic writing career began. He wrote and produced the 1967 film, Divorce American Style, and directed the film, Cold Turkey, starring Dick Van Dyke. All In The Family came about when Lear read a British column on the show "Til Death Do Us Part", about a father and a son-in-law who fought about everything politically. He immediately knew it was just like him and his father. Lear tried to sell the "blue" collar sitcom to ABC, and two pilots were filmed and rejected. A third pilot was filmed, and CBS picked up the show. It premiered on January 12, 1971. When it was first aired, a big warning appeared on the screen stating none of the content being presented should be taken seriously and should only be seen for the purpose of hilarity. Next came Sanford And Son, along with creator Bud Yorkin, in 1972. It was inspired by British sitcom Steptoe and Son. In All In The Family, a guest-star named Bea Arthur appeared in an episode and in 1972 the first spin-off was formed called Maude, starring Arthur. A memorable episode from Maude which struck a degree of controversy was the abortion episode. A spin-off from Maude, Good Times, with the maid character played by Esther Rolle, premiered in 1974, dealing with issues like poverty, crime, welfare and life in low-income African-American housing areas. This wasn't the only sitcom to depict life for African-Americans: in 1975 The Jeffersons, another spin-off from All In The Family, followed. All In The Family received multiple Emmy awards. Good Times ran for five seasons till 1979, with multiple Golden Globe nominations. Maude ran for six seasons, till 1978, receiving multiple Emmy and Golden Globe wins and nominations. Sanford and Son ended in 1977 with a Golden Globe win and several Emmy nominations. All In The Family ended in 1979, after nine seasons. Next came another spin-off of the show called Archie Bunker's Place, with Caroll O'Connor and Danielle Brisebois. Archie Bunker's Place ended in 1983, and was his last successful television show. Lear made a comeback in 1990 with several short-lived shows, including Sunday Dinner and 704 Hauser.

Credits

Before We Forget
Before We Forget

2024

Drama • Romance

Executive Producer

6.8
0.3
I Got A Monster
I Got A Monster

2023

Documentary

Executive Producer

5.2
0.3
I Carry You with Me
I Carry You with Me

2021

Drama

Executive Producer

7.1
0.8
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It

2021

Documentary

Executive Producer

7.3
1.1
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"

2019

Comedy • Family • TV Movie

Executive Producer

6.1
0.8
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"

2019

Comedy • Family • TV Movie

Original Series Creator

6.1
0.8
Playing For Change 3 - Songs Around The World
0
0.1
Pete Seeger: The Power of Song
Pete Seeger: The Power of Song

2007

Documentary • Music

Executive Producer

7
0.2
Way Past Cool
Way Past Cool

2000

Executive Producer

6
0.2
Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried Green Tomatoes

1991

Comedy • Drama

Executive Producer

7.7
4.2
All in the Family: 20th Anniversary Special
All in the Family: 20th Anniversary Special

1991

Documentary

Executive Producer

9
0.2
The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride

1987

Adventure • Comedy • Family • Fantasy • Romance

Executive Producer

7.7
9.4
Heartsounds
Heartsounds

1984

Drama • TV Movie

Executive Producer

8
0.3
I Love Liberty
I Love Liberty

1982

Documentary • Music • TV Movie

Executive Producer

0
0.3
I Love Liberty
I Love Liberty

1982

Documentary • Music • TV Movie

Writer

0
0.3
The Thief Who Came to Dinner
The Thief Who Came to Dinner

1973

Comedy • Romance

Producer

6.9
0.5
Cold Turkey
Cold Turkey

1971

Comedy

Director

6.3
0.5
Cold Turkey
Cold Turkey

1971

Comedy

Screenplay

6.3
0.5
Cold Turkey
Cold Turkey

1971

Comedy

Producer

6.3
0.5
Start the Revolution Without Me
Start the Revolution Without Me

1970

Comedy • History

Executive Producer

5.9
0.5
The Night They Raided Minsky's
The Night They Raided Minsky's

1968

Comedy

Screenplay

5.6
0.7
The Night They Raided Minsky's
5.6
0.7
Divorce American Style
Divorce American Style

1967

Comedy

Producer

5.8
0.3
Divorce American Style
Divorce American Style

1967

Comedy

Screenplay

5.8
0.3
Never Too Late
Never Too Late

1965

Comedy

Producer

5
0.2
Come Blow Your Horn
Come Blow Your Horn

1963

Comedy

Screenplay

4.8
0.4
Come Blow Your Horn
Come Blow Your Horn

1963

Comedy

Producer

4.8
0.4
Scared Stiff
Scared Stiff

1953

Comedy • Horror • Music

Additional Dialogue

6.4
0.5

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