Norman Lear has died at 101. It turns out now matter how good you are, you can’t live forever.
Norman was a TV legend, a producer and writer who changed the culture with his shows like “All in the Family,” “The Jeffersons,” “Maude,” “Good Times,” and “One Day at a Time.”
He was also a proud campaigner for the best liberal causes, a mensch who supported everything good in the world starting with the arts. He won every award possible. As a fourth act to his extraordinary life, Lear exemplified the nobility of aging.
This picture was taken five or six years ago up at the Ross House in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles. Norman and I reminisced about an early chance meeting, a couple of years earlier, when we ran into each other in front of the Shubert Theater on Broadway. It was about ten minutes before a matinee curtain, and he was waiting outside for a guest. I was concerned that a 93 year old man was by himself. He laughed heartily. He certainly wasn’t 93 in his head!
A few weeks ago I ran into a family member who told me that Norman was not exactly in decline but had slowed down considerably. What can you say for someone who’s 101 and has lived the most incredible life? God speed.
CBS should just turn over a whole night to Norman Lear this week, run one episode of each show from 8pm to 11pm.
“Thank you for the moving outpouring of love and support in honor of our wonderful husband, father, and grandfather,” Lear’s 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.”
After just watching a group of writers and actors on both coasts wish me a happy birthday, I can’t help but think back to my very first WGA strike in 1960. It was a different America then and has me reflecting on all of the Americas I’ve known for 101 years. pic.twitter.com/Pr478QFYeO
— Norman Lear (@TheNormanLear) July 27, 2023
photo c2023 Showbiz411 by Leah Sydney
