Legendary TV Producer and Writer Norman Lear Dead at 101
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 25: Norman Lear attends the 2019 British Academy Britannia Awards presented by American Airlines and Jaguar Land Rover at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 25, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Norman Lear, producer and screenwriter who revolutionized TV, has died. He was 101.
Lear died on Monday, Dec. 4 of natural causes at his Los Angeles home, a spokesperson confirmed to Deadline. No further information was provided.
His illustrious career began in the 1950s, when partnered with his first cousin Elaine's husband Ed Simmons to write sketches featured on variety show The Colgate Comedy Hour for comedic duo Martin and Lewis.
His work as a comedy writer began getting attention, leading to finding steady work in TV writing. In 1959, he created his first television series, The Deputy, starring Henry Fonda. It lasted two seasons.
He began writing and producing movies in the 1960s, including Come Blow Your Horn, and Divorce American Style. For the latter, he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
In the 1970s, Lear changed the trajectory of television. He created and produced All in the Family, considered to be one of the best TV sitcoms of all time. The show won 22 Emmys and is one of three television shows to be number one in the NMR ratings for five consecutive seasons.
Following All in the Family, Lear had a string of iconic sitcoms, including Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, and One Day at a Time.
Lear was married three times. His first wife was Charlotte Rossen. They got married in 1943 and had a daughter named Ellen in 1947. Their marriage ended in 1956.
Lear then found love with Frances Loeb, whom he met through one of his friends in the Army. The couple had two daughters, Maggie and Kate, but divorced in 1985. His divorce to Loeb had one of the most expensive settlements of all time at $112 million.
He then married producer Lyn Davis in 1987, and had three children with her: Benjamin, Madeline, and Brianna. He is survived by Davis, his six children, and TK grandchildren.
