Biography
Norman Milton Lear (July 27, 1922 – December 5, 2023) was a renowned American television writer and producer known for creating iconic 1970s sitcoms such as All in the Family, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, Good Times, and Maude. As a political activist, he founded the advocacy group People for the American Way in 1981 and championed First Amendment rights and progressive causes.
Born in New Haven, Connecticut, to Enie/Jeanette (Sokolovsky) and Hyman "Herman" Lear, a traveling salesman, Lear was the grandson of Russian Jewish immigrants. Jeanette inspired the character Edith Bunker, while Herman was the model for Archie Bunker. Lear earned a one-year scholarship to Emerson College but left after the Pearl Harbor attack to enlist in the United States Army at age nineteen, serving as a radio operator until his discharge in 1945.
Lear initially worked as a press agent but, due to low pay, shifted careers. In 1954, he wrote for the CBS sitcom Honestly, Celeste! and later produced NBC's The Martha Raye Show. In 1959, Lear co-created his first TV series, The Deputy, on NBC, starring Henry Fonda. His comedic writing career took off in 1967 with the film Divorce American Style, which he wrote and produced, and the film Cold Turkey, which he directed starring Dick Van Dyke. All In The Family was inspired when Lear read about the British show Til Death Do Us Part, centered on a father and son-in-law who clashed over political issues—reminiscent of Lear's own relationship with his father. After two pilot episodes were rejected by ABC, CBS picked up the third pilot, and the show premiered on January 12, 1971.
At its premiere, All In The Family featured a warning that the content was meant for humor and not to be taken seriously. In 1972, alongside creator Bud Yorkin, Lear launched Sanford and Son, inspired by the British sitcom Steptoe and Son. That same year, Bea Arthur guest-starred on All In The Family, leading to the spin-off Maude starring Arthur. Maude featured a controversial episode addressing abortion. Another spin-off, Good Times, premiered in 1974, focusing on themes like poverty, crime, welfare, and life in low-income African-American communities, with Esther Rolle in a main role. The Jeffersons, another All In The Family spin-off, debuted in 1975, also portraying African-American life.
All In The Family won numerous Emmy Awards. Good Times aired for five seasons until 1979, garnering multiple Golden Globe nominations. Maude ran for six seasons until 1978, earning several Emmy and Golden Globe awards and nominations. Sanford and Son concluded in 1977, receiving a Golden Globe and multiple Emmy nods. All In The Family ended after nine seasons in 1979. The spin-off Archie Bunker's Place, starring Carroll O'Connor and Danielle Brisebois, aired until 1983, marking Lear’s last major television success.
Lear returned in 1990 with several short-lived series, including Sunday Dinner and 704 Hauser.
22 wins and 4 nominations
