An American television writer and producer, Norman Milton Lear is a popular figure in Hollywood who produced such legendary 1970s sitcoms as “All in the Family”, “Sanford and Son”, “One Day at a Time”, and many other sitcoms that defined and revolutionized American television.
Lear is also a World War II veteran, actor, director, and also a political activist.
What is Norman Lear Famous For?
– Lear is especially known for his work on such seminal television series as: “All in the Family”, “Sanford and Son”, and “The Jeffersons”.
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When was Norman Lear Born?
Norman Lear was born on July 27, 1922, in New Haven, Connecticut, the U.S. His birth name is Norman Milton Lear.
Norman was born in a Jewish family. He was born to Herman Lear(father) and Jeannette Seicol Lear(Mother). His father was a traveling salesman.
Furthermore, the characters “Edith Bunker” and “Archie Bunker” of Norman’s show were inspired by his own mother Jeanette and Herman, respectively.
Norman also had a younger sister named Claire Lear Brown, born in 1925 but she died earlier than Norman.
How was Norman Lear’s Early Life?
Norman Lear was raised in his hometown. His nationality is American and his ethnicity is White.
Lear attended “Weaver High School” in Hartford, Connecticut, and graduated in 1940. He then subsequently joined “Emerson College” in Boston, for further higher studies where he got a one-year-scholarship.
However, he was dropped out of college in 1942 to join the “United States Army Air Forces” at the age of 19. There he served as a radio operator and also he flew 52 combat missions, for which he was awarded the “Air Medal” with four Oak Leaf Clusters. Then he was discharged from the Army in 1945.
How is Norman Lear’s Career?
Soon after World War II, he started his career in public relations as inspired by his own uncle Jack. He then moved to California to restart his career in publicity, driving with his toddler daughter across the country.
Norman eventually landed a press agent job, paying forty dollars a week. Due to hard times, he was not being paid well and 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”, after its director left the series. In 1959, Lear created his first television series, “The Deputy”, on the NBC network and starring Henry Fonda. Lear created this series alongside Roland Kibbee. The show ran for two successful seasons and ended in 1961.
Lear then started his comedic writing career in 1967. He wrote and produced the 1967 film, “Divorce American Style”, and directed the film, “Cold Turkey”, both starring Dick Van Dyke. Lear then tried to sell a “Blue” collar sitcom to the ABC network, and two pilots were filmed and rejected.
A third pilot was filmed, and CBS picked up the show in 1971 named “All In The Family” which led to a disappointing rate but it took several “Emmy Awards” that year.
This show came about when Norman read a British column on a show called “Til Death Do Us Part”, about a father and a son-in-law who fought politically. As soon as he read that, he immediately knew it was just like him and his father’s relationship.
Lear’s second big TV sitcom was also based on a British sitcom, “Steptoe and Son”, about a west London junk dealer and his son named the NBC show “Sanford and Son” which was an instant hit. Numerous hit shows followed thereafter, including “Maude”, “The Jeffersons”, “One Day at a Time”, and “Good Times”. All of the series marked his name in the list of Hollywood Celebrities.
In 1980, Lear founded the organization “People for the American Way” for the purpose of counteracting the Christian right organization. In the fall of 1981, Lear began a 14-month run as the host of a revival of the classic game show “Quiz Kids” for the CBS Cable Network.
Similarly, in March 1982, Lear produced an ABC television special titled “I Love Liberty”.
Lear’s Act III Communications, founded in 1986 with Tom McGrath as President, produced several notable films, including Rob Reiner’s next three films: “The Sure Thing”, “Stand By Me”, and “The Princess Bride”, as well as “Fried Green Tomatoes”.
Lear attempted to return to TV production in the 1990s with the shows “Sunday Dinner”, “The Powers That Be”, and “704 Hauser”, but none of the series proved successful.
In 2003, Lear made an appearance on South Park during the “I’m a Little Bit Country” episode, providing the voice of Benjamin Franklin. He also served as a consultant on the episodes “I’m a Little Bit Country” and “Cancelled”. Lear was also spotlighted in the 2016 documentary “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You”.
In 2004, he founded “Declare Yourself”, a nonprofit, nonpartisan campaign to encourage young adults to vote in political elections and in 2009, he started the “Born Again American campaign”, which promotes citizenship and activism.
In 2017, Lear served as executive producer for “One Day at a Time”, the reboot of his show of the same name that premiered on Netflix about a Cuban-American family.
Lear also has hosted a podcast, “All of the Above with Norman Lear”, since May 1, 2017.
Career Highlights And Awards of Lear
The renowned writer and producer Lear was among the first seven television pioneers inducted into the “Television Academy Hall of Fame” in 1984.
– Four “Emmy Awards” in 1971(two), 1972, and 1973.
– Two “Peabody Awards” (a personal award in 1977 and an individual award in 2016)
– “Humanist Arts Award” from the American Humanist Association in 1977.
– “National Medal of Arts” and “Women in Flim Lucy Awards” in 1999
– Fourth annual “Woody Guthrie Prize” in 2017.
– Kennedy Center Honor in 2017.
Who is Norman Lear married to?
The 96 aged Norman Lear has been married for three times. Lеаr wаѕ mаrrіеd tо Сhаrlоttе Rоѕеn іn 1943. The couple was blessed lаtеr wіth а bаbу gіrl nаmеd Еllеn Lеаr.
Тhе соuрlе hоwеvеr ѕераrаtеd аnd dіvоrсеd іn 1956.
Lеаr thеn mаrrіеd Frаnсеѕ Loeb іn 1956. Frances wаѕ thе рublіѕhеr оf “Lеаr’ѕ Маgаzіnе”, аnd thеу hаd twо daughter named Маggіе Веth аnd Каtе Вrесkіr. But their relation didn’t last long as they dіvоrсеd іn 1986. Frances received $112 million in a divorce settlement.
Іn 1987, Lеаr mаrrіеd Lуn Davis. Тhеу gоt thеіr fіrѕt сhіld tоgеthеr Веnјаmіn Dаvіѕ Lеаr іn 1988 аnd in 1994, thеу gоt twіnѕ daughter Вrіаnnа Еlіzаbеth аnd Маdеlаіnе Rоѕе whо wеrе bоrn tо а ѕurrоgаtе mоthеr.
What is the Net Worth of Norman Lear?
Norman Lear, a renowned writer and television producer has an estimated net worth of $50 million. He has a good earning from his several TV shows that are hit of all time.
He has a luxurious life. Norman Lear has successfully bagged the title of a “man of many talents”.
How Tall is Norman Lear?
Norman Lear stands at a height of 5ft. 9inch.(1.75 m). He has a bodyweight of 68 kilos. He has a fair complexion with dark brown eyes and grey hair.
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