Norman Lear

The legendary TV producer built his career — and his politics — on a lifelong, empathetic desire to know what everyone else’s lives were like.

A liberal activist, Lear fashioned bold and controversial comedies that were embraced by viewers who had to watch the evening news to find out what was going on in the world. His CBS shows helped define primetime comedy in the 1970s, launched the careers of Rob Reiner and Valerie Bertinelli and made middle-age superstars of Carroll O’Connor, Bea Arthur and Redd Foxx. He was 101. (Chris Pizzello/AP)

As the producer of All in the Family and many other shows, Lear showed that it was possible to be topical, funny and immensely popular.

On his 100th birthday, ABC is giving Norman Lear a present. The network will celebrate Lear’s life and career with a two-hour special in September. Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter will feature celebrity guests and musical performances paying homage to the legendary TV producer. Done + Dusted will produce the special.

Reflections from the Emmy-winning television producer and a co-founder of the advocacy organization People for the American Way.

It’s no secret that working in Hollywood isn’t easy — and can be exhausting. But Norman Lear, who has been in the industry for more than 60 years, has never considered walking away. “Not for a second. We’ve had ups and downs and but it’s always a good time,” the icon told Variety ahead of his 100th birthday on July 27. “It feels very much like 99, which felt a lot like 89!” And he has no plans to slow down — or stop cracking jokes.

It was 50 years ago this month that the Norman Lear sitcom Sanford and Son debuted on NBC with Black stand-up comic Redd Foxx starring as Fred Sanford, an irascible junk dealer in the Watts area of Los Angeles, and Demond Wilson as Foxx’s beleaguered adult son. An instant ratings smash, it opened the door for other Black family shows to move into the virtually all-white TV neighborhood.

Amazon and Sony Pictures TV have struck a deal that will bring an extensive catalog of legendary producer Norman Lear’s shows to the Amazon’s Prime Video and IMDb TV streaming services. The titles headed to the two platforms are Maude, All in the Family, The Jeffersons, 227, Good Times, the original One Day at a Time, Diff’rent Strokes, Sanford & Son and Sanford.

All in the Family and Good Times creator Lear will receive the Carol Burnett Award during the 78th annual ceremony on Feb. 28, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced Thursday. He is a writer, director and producer who champions television diversity with other classic hit sitcoms such as The Jeffersons and Sanford and Son.

Like the 97-year-old Norman Lear, who made his name — and TV history — with groundbreaking sitcoms like All in the Family and The Jeffersons, the other honorees at Thursday’s Paley Center for Media ceremony proved that talent is ageless. Carl Reiner, 97; Bob Newhart, 90; Carol Burnett, 86, and Lily Tomlin, 80, each won over the room with their humor and memories. Above, Lear (r), is congratulated by presenters Jimmy Kimmel (l), and Anthony Anderson.

ABC has firmed up its next live comedy event from Norman Lear and Jimmy Kimmel. The duo behind the Live in Front of a Studio Audience franchise will next team for the Dec. 18 mashup of All in the Family and Good Times as the sequel to May’s All in the Family–The Jeffersons.

Following the success of the first installment, ABC has ordered two more Live in Front of a Studio Audience specials for the 2019-20 season. The first new special will air this winter, while the second is slated for spring 2020. The classic sitcoms that will be the focus of each special will be announced at a later date. Jimmy Kimmel and Norman Lear will return to executive produce them along with Brent Miller, Will Ferrell, and Justin Theroux.

Woody Harrelson, Marisa Tomei, Jamie Foxx and Wanda Sykes will star in re-creations of episodes from the influential Norman Lear sitcoms born in the 1970s. Lear and Jimmy Kimmel are hosting the ABC primetime special airing next month