Norman Lear, the prolific television writer and producer who was known for blending comedy and social commentary, has died at age 101. He died of natural causes at home on Tuesday, December 5. He was known for sitcoms like All in the Family and The Jeffersons. His shows were groundbreaking at the time, as they addressed topics like racism, gender inequality, religion, homosexuality, and other controversial topics that TV networks thought viewers weren't interested in during the 1970s.
Lear's shows were extremely popular and sparked conversations about the issues they addressed. "Norman lived a life of curiosity, tenacity, and empathy. He deeply loved our country and spent a lifetime helping to preserve its founding ideals of justice and equality for all," his family said in a statement shared on his website.
"He began his career in the earliest days of live television and discovered a passion for writing about the real lives of Americans, not a glossy ideal. At first, his ideas were met with closed doors and misunderstanding. However, he stuck to his conviction that the 'foolishness of the human condition' made great television, and eventually he was heard."
In addition to being an iconic writer and producer, Lear was also an activist, husband, father, and grandfather. His family described him as a "patriotic," "devoted," and "grateful" person who was "in awe of the world around him." Before working in television, Lear dropped out of college to join the United States Army Air Forces in 1942 and fight in World War II.
Although Lear has a long list of accomplishments, his family noted in their statement that "he felt that one of his greatest contributions to the world was founding People For The American Way in 1981, an organization that continues its work to this day guaranteeing our first amendment rights."
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Lear is survived by his wife, Lyn Lear, his six children, and his four grandchildren.
"We were adored by him, and we adored him right back. 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," his family said in their statement.
