
Norman Lear
Production
🎂 1922-07-27
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.
Cast credits(63)

Self
1996

Self
2014

Self
1962

Norman Lear (voice)
1989

1997

Self
2015

Self
1961

Self - Guest
1968

Self
2020

Self - Host
1975

Self
1993

Self
2012

Self
2020

Self (voice)
2024

Self - Panelist
2016

Self
2005

Self
2022

Self
2016

Self
1974

1996

2004

Self
2022
2004

self
2020

Self - Host
2021

Self
2021

Self
2021

Self
2022

Self - Co-Host
2019

Self (voice)
2023

Self
2021

Self
2012

Self
2022

Crying Man (uncredited)
1971

Himself (host)
2019

Party Guest (uncredited)
1963

Self
2022

Self
2016

Self
2012

Self
2019
Self
1996

Self
2020

Self
2013

Self - Producer
2008

Self
2020

Self
2017

Himself
2021

Self
1992

Self
2003

Self
2017

Himself
2022
Self
2022

Self
1997

Self
2018

Self
2019

2005

1978

Self
2009

Self - Host
1991

Self
2009
Self
2023

Self - Television Producer
1982

Self
1999
Writing (14)
Production (41)

Producer
1976

Producer
1974

Executive Producer
1972

Producer
1975

Executive Producer
2017

Producer
1980

Executive Producer
2024

Executive Producer
1971

Producer
1971

Producer
1976

Executive Producer
2025

Producer
1992

Producer
1972

Producer
1991

Executive Producer
1987

Producer
1975

Executive Producer
1991
Producer
1984
Producer
1997
Executive Producer

Executive Producer
2021

Executive Producer
2021

Executive Producer
2021

Executive Producer
2019

Producer
1968
Producer
1977

Executive Producer
1970

Producer
1971

Producer
1963

Producer
1967

Producer
1973
Producer
1979

Executive Producer
2023

Executive Producer
1982

Executive Producer
1984

Executive Producer
2025

Executive Producer
2007

Producer
1965

Executive Producer
2000

Executive Producer
1991

Executive Producer
2014