Norman Lear, creator of sitcoms including The Jeffersons, All in the Family, Good Times, and One Day at a Time, died on December 5. Both the people Lear worked with and the people who were touched by his work are paying tribute to him. Just last year, upon his 100th birthday, colleagues and famous fans paid tribute to Lear. “I was grateful to be working for someone who was going to use the greatest medium of communication the world has ever known to rectify some of society’s problems — or to attempt to, at any rate,” John Amos (James Evans Sr. on Good Times) told Vulture at the time. “He was courageous in that respect, and his courage paid off by the audiences that gathered for all his shows.”
Jimmy Kimmel, who collaborated with Lear on Live in Front of a Studio Audience, gave a statement to Variety noting the irony of wanting more time with a 101-year-old man. “His bravery, integrity and unmatched moral compass were equaled by his kindness, empathy, and wit,” Kimmel wrote. “Even at 101, Norman cared as much about the future, our children, and planet or as anyone I have ever known. He was a great American, a hero in every way and so funny, smart, and lovely man you almost couldn’t believe it. The privilege of working alongside Norman and the opportunity he gave me and my wife to get to know him and his beautiful family has been among the great honors and pleasures of my life. We were all very lucky to have him.” President Joe Biden made an official White House statement on Lear’s passing. “Norman Lear was a transformational force in American culture, whose trailblazing shows redefined television with courage, conscience, and humor, opening our nation’s eyes and often our hearts,” he wrote.
Other statements came from stars including George Clooney. “It’s hard to reconcile that at 101 years old, Norman Lear is gone too soon. The entire world of reason just lost its greatest advocate and our family lost a dear friend,” Clooney stated. “A giant walked in his shoes.” Tyler Perry additionally told People that Lear’s sitcoms “were the only thing that brought laughter and joy to me as a child, who was living a daily nightmare.” Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, remembered Lear as an “icon and the brilliant mind behind countless timely and meaningful shows that were full of heart and humor.” Below, tributes and remembrances to Norman Lear.
@corybooker Look for the ripple. You may not see the rise, but know, what you do matters. You are making a difference. And especially, know that together: We Will Rise. Norman Lear's actually telling of the story: "My grandfather told me when I was about ten, as we stood at the edge of a lake in Moodus, Connecticut, that each time I threw a stone into the water I was raising the level of the lake. I threw another stone. It wasn't happening. So I threw a rock. I still couldn't see the level of the lake rising, but my grandfather asked me if I saw the ripple. Years later I understood what he was getting at. The ripple is what we all have to be satisfied with. That's what we all have to work our hearts out for-to make a ripple. Then, we won't see it, but the water level does rise. When we make our ripples, when we absorb each other's ripples, we are experiencing the joy in life." #CoryStories #NormanLear #MondayMotivation
♬ original sound - Cory