Norman Lear. Just hearing the name probably stirs up a nostalgic swirl of laughter, social insight, and a pinch of controversy, doesn’t it? For many Hollywood glitterati – stars, directors, screenwriters, and even network bigwigs – Lear was more than a creative genius. He was an icon, an inspiration, and above all, a cherished friend. With groundbreaking shows like All in the Family, Maude, The Jeffersons, and Good Times, Lear didn’t just entertain America—he redefined what television could be.
His passion for depicting contemporary culture veered beyond the small screen, extending into an extraordinary art collection he and his wife, Lyn Davis Lear, curated. Fancy that! This labor of love will grace Christie’s in New York this May as part of their 20th and 21st Century marquee week. But before the hammer falls, let’s take a moment to rewind and hear from some of Lear’s biggest fans—friends, coworkers, and mentees—on how this legend forever reshaped American entertainment.
Billy Crystal, the Man Who Floated Home
‘The first time I met Norman was at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, 1975. I was a newbie comedian, barely making ends meet on Long Island, substitute teaching by day, and cracking jokes by night. My set went well, and lo and behold, out came Norman Lear and Carl Reiner! They had kind words for me, and let me tell ya, I felt like I didn’t need a plane to fly back home.’
Imagine my surprise when a few days later, Norman Lear called me while I was feeding my 2-year-old daughter! He invited me to audition for a role in All in the Family, playing Mike’s best friend. Tons of actors in LA could’ve filled the role, but Lear saw something unique in me. That call still gives me goosebumps.
At the first rehearsal, Lear emphasized collaboration. He encouraged input, making a total newcomer like me feel valued. Lear’s shows were genuine, never contrived, always cloaked in truth. Subjects ranged from the hilarious to the poignant but always hit home. Even today, I sense an unspoken ‘What would Norman do?’ guiding TV show developments. Lear’s warmth, humor, intelligence, and integrity will remain forever etched in my heart.
Kenya Barris: Taking Lear’s Torch
When I met Norman during the taping of black-ish’s pilot, he was as supportive as you can imagine. He encouraged me to be authentic, channeling my experiences into storytelling. Norman’s biggest lesson to me? Tell your story. Don’t just write for the lens; write from it.
The Jeffersons was a game-changer for me, revealing a depiction of a Black man confidently taking on societal norms, something I aspired to in my own life. Norman’s work went beyond entertainment; it echoed real conversations around dinner tables, workplaces, and beyond. He crafted characters who mirrored society, revealing truths in all their gritty, emotional glories.
Shonda Rhimes: Sharing the Stage with a Legend
Picture this: A retreat weekend, and I’m set to interview Norman Lear. Nervous doesn’t begin to describe it. But Norman, ever the calm force, held my hand and reassured me, “It’s going to be okay. Let’s just do this.” On stage, it was as if we were just two friends chatting. That’s Norman—brilliant, hilarious, and perpetually young.
He had a knack for portraying humanity in all its flawed, fantastic forms. Shows like Maude, Good Times, and The Jeffersons were his canvases, reflecting society’s face back at itself. He broached topics others avoided, always adding his signature touch of humor and intelligence.
Norman’s best advice to me? Treat every day like a workday. Stay engaged, stay young. And Norman embodied that sentiment to the core.
Ted Sarandos: The Binge-Watching Seed
‘Back in the day, I saw the words ‘Created by Norman Lear’ so often that I thought it was a default TV setting, much like ‘In God We Trust’ on money. Little did I know, there was an actual, brilliant man named Norman Lear behind all these shows.
One of my fondest memories is binge-watching Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman every Sunday night—a masterpiece soap opera by Lear. My parents probably should’ve put me to bed, but they let me indulge. It was revolutionary TV, ahead of its time.
Norman cared about two things: making you laugh and making you think. He often blurred the lines of what’s acceptable on TV, sparking bold conversations and pushing boundaries. His courage and knack for surrounding himself with great storytellers remain our guiding light in the industry.
Reginald Hudlin: The Multiple-Hit Wonder
‘Norman was revolutionary—not just once, but over and over. Hits are rare; multiple hits are miraculous. He redefined TV multiple times without compromising its entertainment value. He bridged the gap between preaching and entertaining, reaching those who needed to hear his message the most.
Norman’s real genius lay in honesty. While many TV shows created aspirational worlds, Lear portrayed real, working-class lives, capturing societal truths. He didn’t reduce characters to stereotypes; he painted detailed, realistic lives, especially for Black characters across different social strata.’
Generations of creators were inspired by him. His activism, his willingness to leverage his financial success and celebrity for political causes, persists as a gold standard for responsibility and integrity in the creative community.
Phil Rosenthal: The Pre and Post Norman Era
Life before Norman Lear? Unimaginable. Norman’s creations, particularly All in the Family, divided television history into BN (Before Norman) and AN (After Norman). His work was a love letter to inclusiveness and joy, advocating for change while keeping audiences thoroughly entertained.
‘Working on the first season of Everybody Loves Raymond, I received a call that Norman Lear was on the line. I picked up, and he said, “I hear we’re fans of each other…we should have lunch tomorrow.” Pinch me, right? I met him and Carl Reiner for lunch. They treated me like family, a relationship that’s lasted over 25 years. Norman and Lyn were not just colleagues but family, sharing a love for incredible modern art, reflective of their youthful, life-affirming spirit.’
