“All in the Family” and “Sanford and Son” writer-producer-developer Norman Lear died Tuesday aged 101.
Lear’s publicist confirmed his death to Variety, saying he died at home of natural causes. “Thank you for the moving outpouring of love and support in honor of our wonderful husband, father, and grandfather,” his 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.”
Lear was nominated for an Academy Award in 1968 for writing the film “Divorce American Style.” From here, he set his sights on sitcoms, crafting concepts inspired by British television at the time. Unlike many American writers at the time, Lear didn’t shy away from hitting big political and social issues at the time. And it proved to be a huge success.
Norman Lear really gave us some quality moments. pic.twitter.com/ksTAMEHrJE
— Anthony Michael Kreis (@AnthonyMKreis) December 6, 2023
“All in the Family” spurred six different spin-off series, won four Emmys, a Peabody, and more. (RELATED: Cannibalism, Down Syndrome, Dad Jokes: Why Norm MacDonald’s Last Special Is Everything Your Heart Needs)
“Originally, with all the shows, we went looking for belly laughs. It crossed our minds early on that the more an audience cared – we were working before, on average, 240 live people – if you could get them caring, the more they cared, the harder they laughed,” Lear told the Onion A.V. Club in 2005, Variety noted.
He should also be remembered for his incredible work on films like “Stand By Me,” “The Princess Bride,” and so, so many more. He’ll be long-remembered for revolutionizing American comedy, and helping build the nation’s largest export to-date: culture.