George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Rita Moreno Among Celebrity Guests Joining ‘Norman Lear: 100 Years Of Music And Laughter’ ABC Special — Update

Erik Pedersen
·2 min read
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UPDATED, 10:30 AM: ABC has announced additional celebrity guests set for its upcoming Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter special.

Stars who have signed on to help celebrate Lear through speeches and comedy performances include Asante Blackk, George Clooney, Laverne Cox, Isabella Gomez, Emily Hampshire, Tom Hanks, Rita Moreno, Ms. Pat, Jay Pharoah, Rob Reiner, Aida Rodriguez and George Wallace. Special musical performances paying tribute to iconic sitcom theme songs will also be featured throughout the evening and will be performed by Anthony Anderson, Kristen Bell, Ledisi, Justina Machado, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kelly Rowland, Amber Stevens West, Michelle Williams and more.

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All join previously announced Jennifer Aniston, Jimmy Kimmel, Amy Poehler and Octavia Spencer in the network special which airs Thursday, September 22 at 9 PM on ABC and streaming next day on Hulu.

PREVIOUS, August 25: Jennifer Aniston, Jimmy Kimmel, Amy Poehler and Octavia Spencer will help celebrate TV legend Norman Lear in ABC’s upcoming special Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter, the network announced Thursday.

They are the first celebrity guests announced for the bash, with more talent to follow at a later date.

PREVIOUS, July 27: ABC used Norman Lear’s 100th birthday today to announce a career-spanning new special about the TV legend for Premiere Week. Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music & Laughter will air Thursday, September 22.

The network said to expect a lineup of celebrity guests and musical performances but did not reveal just who will turn up in the “star-studded” two-hour tribute to the iconic creator of such television classics as All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times, Maude, Sanford and Son, One Day at a Time and so many others.

Norman Lear At 100: His Legendary Life And Career In 100 Photos

“I’ve always believed music and laughter have added time to my life,” Lear said in a statement. “I’ve seen a lot throughout my 100 years, but I would’ve never imagined America having a front-row seat to my birthday celebration. Thank you.”

Said Craig Erwich, president of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment: “Norman’s illustrious career is revered by so many, and we are honored to be celebrating his legacy with this special night of entertainment. We have been lucky to work with Norman on a number of projects over the years, and it’s only fitting that his centennial birthday be marked by the biggest names in Hollywood raising a glass to toast, and perhaps gently roast, the television icon.”

Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter is produced by Done+Dusted in association with Walt Disney Television Alternative. David Jammy, Brent Miller, Raj Kapoor and Eric Cook are the executive producers. The special also will stream on Hulu.

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