George Clooney, Jane Fonda, Tyler Perry, and More on Norman Lear: ‘The Entire World of Reason Just Lost Its Greatest Advocate’

Hollywood is taking to social media to honor late TV and film icon Norman Lear, who died at age 101 on December 5.

Lear created ’70s boundary-breaking sitcoms “All in the Family,” “Sanford and Son,” and “The Jeffersons,” as well as produced films like “Stand By Me” and “The Princess Bride.” Lear’s family confirmed the screen titan’s passing of natural causes, sharing, “It is with profound sadness and love that we announce the passing of Norman Lear, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather. Norman passed away peacefully on December 5, 2023, surrounded by his family as we told stories and sang songs until the very end.”

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Actors, producers, and more industry leaders paid tribute to Lear. George Clooney said in a press statement, “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. A giant walked in his shoes.”

Jane Fonda added, “Today is a very sad day. Norman Lear, a man who meant a lot to many on a personal level and who changed the face and soul of American comedy, has passed. My heart is heavy.”

Tyler Perry shared a personal story alongside Lear, calling the showrunner one of his “heroes.”

“Not long ago I had the pleasure of meeting one of my heroes. He invited me to lunch at his home and as we sat and talked and laughed, I got a chance to tell him how he had helped save my life. I shared with him that he taught me to dream a bigger dream by his example,” Perry said. “He was 100 years old at the time, but sharp as ever. Full of wisdom and great advice, and I took it all in. Just before I left, I asked, ‘At 100 years old what are you looking forward to?’ Without any hesitation he said, ‘Tomorrow.’ It was such a simple but powerful lesson to live your life fully one day at a time.”

Perry continued, “And ‘One Day at a Time’ just happened to be the name of one of his many hit TV shows along with ‘Maude,’ ‘All in The Family,’ ‘Good Times,’ ‘Sanford and Son,’ and so many other incredible shows. They were the only thing that brought laughter and joy to me as a child, who was living a daily nightmare. I’m so glad that I had the chance to say to him, thanks to his vision and his work, he gave me many ‘tomorrows’ to look forward to. So today, sadly, I say goodbye and I salute a veteran. One who asked me to help put  together a moment for him to say thank you to the surviving Redtail Tuskegee Airmen, he wanted to thank them for the escorts they provided him and others during World War II, which I did with Robin Roberts on ‘GMA.’ It felt good to be able to do something for him.”

Perry added, “A hero and someone who inspired me to try and bring as much laughter to the world as he bought to the little boy that I was. You sir are truly one of one!  I’m so glad we were on the planet at the same time.  Thank you for your example. Rest in peace my dear friend, I thank God for you. My prayers are with your family. Travel well, Mr. Norman Lear.”

Jimmy Kimmel similarly applauded Lear’s dedication to social change, writing, “It is obviously silly to want more time with a person who outlived a whole century but losing Norman Lear, even at 101 years old, feels unfair. His bravery, integrity and unmatched moral compass were equaled by his kindness, empathy, and wit. Norman was very proud of the fact that the so-called Reverend Jerry Falwell dubbed him ‘The number one enemy of the American family.’ The opposite was true. More than anyone before him, Norman used situation comedy to shine a light on prejudice, intolerance, and inequality.  He created families that mirrored ours, showing us a world in which Archie Bunker and Michael Stivic could learn to not only co-exist, but to love one another.”

Kimmel said, “As a young man, Technical Sergeant Lear flew 52 combat missions over Nazi Germany.  He continued to fight for freedom all the way to the end of his life on earth.  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.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda added, “Norman Lear created families: not just the Bunkers of All In The Family, but the extended galaxies of families of casts and crews on every groundbreaking show he helped produce. So grateful when he called and asked me to co-produce a documentary about the life of our friend Rita Moreno, the easiest ‘yes’ of my life. There will be so many words on how Norman made the world better in the days to come. They’re all true and they’re all underselling it.  I’ll miss writing him birthday tunes every year. I’m grateful for every text and conversation we had. My heart is with his family and all the families he made.”

Brian Grazer said, “Norman Lear was a national treasure. He was more than a creator of groundbreaking television – he was a trailblazer who transformed how we watch and talk about entertainment for over 85 years and I will always be grateful for the impact he had in paving the way for so many of us in the industry. Not only do I have the utmost respect for his comedy work, but his fearless commitment to addressing critical social issues and including those narratives for audiences shaped my own approach to storytelling. Norman’s career wasn’t just influential, it was transformative, and his legacy will forever inspire generations to come. I will miss you Norman, my dear friend.”

Longtime Lear collaborator Rob Reiner tweeted that Lear was his “second father” while Ben Stiller praised the late Lear for being a “champion for social justice.”

See more tributes below.

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