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Norman Lear became possibly the world’s most famous centenarian on Wednesday, and he’s got no intention of slowing down. As he told The Washington Post, “I feel like I could do a second 100.”
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post
To celebrate Lear’s 10 decades, we took a look back at his career, which includes creating and producing sitcoms such as “All in the Family,” “Maude,” “Good Times,” “The Jeffersons” and “One Day at a Time,” all while becoming a passionate voice for progressive political causes. As his close friend Mel Brooks said, “Norman has so much to give us, I don’t think 100 is nearly enough.”
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post
Nov 9, 2017 | Los Angeles
Norman Lear, who turned 100 on Wednesday, produced some of the most groundbreaking sitcoms of the 1970s.
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post
March 1978 | Los Angeles
Lear and his second wife, Frances, were married for 28 years.
AP
AP
Sept. 18, 1978 | Hollywood
Lear, center top row, with "All in the Family" actors Jean Stapleton, seated, left, and Carroll O'Connor, seated, right, holding their Emmys for outstanding lead actress and actor in a comedy series. Rob Reiner, top left, won for supporting actor. At top right is executive producer Mort Lachman.
Sept. 19, 1978 | Washington
President Jimmy Carter, right, greets Lear at the White House. At left are "All in the Family" cast members Sally Struthers and Jean Stapleton.
Harvey Georges/AP
Harvey Georges/AP
March 29, 1979 | Los Angeles
By the late 1970s, Lear began to channel his efforts toward liberal politics. He founded the advocacy organization People For the American Way in 1980.
AP Photo/AP
AP Photo/AP
1983
Lear, center, celebrates with "The Jeffersons" cast members, from left, Marla Gibbs, Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, Ned Wertimer, Berlinda Tolbert, Roxie Roker and Franklin Cover.
Sept. 29. 1999 | Washington
President Bill Clinton, right, and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, center, award Lear the 1999 National Medal of Arts at Constitution Hall.
Stephen Jaffe/AFP/Getty Images
Stephen Jaffe/AFP/Getty Images
Jan. 22, 2006 | Universal City, Calif.
Lear, left, and former "All in the Family" star Rob Reiner attend the 2006 Producers Guild awards.
Vince Bucci/Getty Images
Vince Bucci/Getty Images
Nov. 19, 2012 | New York
Lear, left, television producer Ryan Murphy and actor Alan Alda attend the 40th International Emmy Awards.
Robin Marchant/Getty Images
Robin Marchant/Getty Images
Feb. 21, 2019 | Los Angeles
Lear and his wife, Lyn, attend the 2019 Hollywood For Science Gala.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Nov. 7, 2019 | Beverly Hills, Calif.
Norman Lear presents an award at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's 4th Annual Patron of the Artists Awards.
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for SAG-AFTRA Foundation
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for SAG-AFTRA Foundation
Dec. 18, 2019 | Anaheim, Calif.
Lear, left, gathers with actors Anthony Anderson and John Amos.
Eric McCandless/ABC/Getty Images
Eric McCandless/ABC/Getty Images
July 26, 2016 | Burbank, Calif.
Lear was an executive producer of "One Day at a Time," a reimagined version of a show he produced in the 1970s.
Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television
Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television
Jan. 12, 2020 | Santa Monica, Calif.
Lear accepts Best Comedy Special for 'Live in Front of a Studio Audience' onstage at the 25th Annual Critics' Choice Awards.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
May 20, 2019 | Los Angeles
Lear sits in Archie Bunker's chair on the set of "Live in Front of a Studio Audience," a special featuring episodes of "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons" that aired on ABC in 2019.
ABC/Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television
ABC/Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television
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Credits
Photo editing by Annaliese Nurnberg and Moira Haney; Text by Travis Andrews; Production by Troy Witcher