Rob Reiner, John Amos, Billy Crystal, Quinta Brunson Remember Norman Lear: “We Have Lost a Giant”

Rob Reiner, Billy Crystal, Jimmy Kimmel, Tyler Perry, George Clooney, Jon Stewart, Bob Iger and Quinta Brunson are among those remembering sitcom great and TV legend Norman Lear, who died Tuesday at the age of 101.

The six-time Emmy-winning writer-producer behind such classic TV shows as All in the Family, Maude, Good Times, The Jeffersons, Sanford & Son and One Day at a Time died at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by family.

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Crystal paid tribute to his friend of almost 50 years, sharing a photo of the two of them together and brief remembrance of Lear on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“We have lost a giant … a man of great humor and dignity,” Crystal wrote. “What an amazing life that has given so much to us all. He used laughter as a way to look at ourselves. A blessing to have been his friend for almost 50 yrs.”

Reiner, who taught Lear’s daughter to play jacks when they were kids before appearing in All in the Family and directing such films as This Is Spinal Tap, Stand by Me and The Princess Bride, all of which Lear provided funding for, wrote on X, “I loved Norman Lear with all my heart. He was my second father. Sending my love to Lyn and the whole Lear family.”

Good Times star John Amos said in a statement, “Norman Lear was a consummate pioneer in television and a true humanitarian through the arts. His insight into culture and society became the foundation of each show he launched on television: shows that taught us about one another and helped us grow as a nation. He also founded People for the American Way where he exercised his passion for advocacy. I am a better man because of Norman Lear. He was a mentor, guide and very close friend who changed my life for the better as an actor and human being. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to meet him, work with him and establish the friendship that developed over the years. His legacy lives on through his works and the impact that he has had on us all.We are better as a society and country today because of Norman Lear.”

President Joe Biden shared in a statement, “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. “The cast of characters he created painted a fuller picture of America – capturing our hopes and hardships, everyday moments of fear and resilience. From Archie Bunker and George Jefferson to the casts of Good Times and One Day at a Time, his characters became fixtures in tens of millions of American lives, often reminding us of family or neighbors. We loved them, disagreed with them, grew with them, rooted for them, and in the process, changed the way we see ourselves.”

“Norman loved America and told our stories with heart, facing the good, the bad, and the truth of who we are as a nation striving to form a more perfect union,” Biden added. “He made generations of Americans care, and we are grateful.”

Disney CEO Iger called Lear an “icon and the brilliant mind behind countless timely and meaningful shows that were full of heart and humor.”

“He wasn’t afraid to take risks and was one of the most influential storytellers in television history,” Iger said in a statement, noting there were “no words to fully express the monumental impact and legacy that Norman Lear leaves behind. His passion went far beyond the screen as a veteran, philanthropist and social activist. Our hearts are with his wife, Lyn, his children and all those who knew and loved him. Norman, we thank you for the beautiful stories that transformed our industry and for making us laugh along the way.”

Brunson, the creator, writer and star of the current hit ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary paid tribute to Lear on X, writing “My Goat. What a life. Rest well, Norman Lear.”

And Stewart thanked Lear “for raising me” while bidding him “Goodnight” and sharing, “Love you.”

Kimmel wrote in a statement, “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. 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 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.”

George Clooney, meanwhile, shared: “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.”

Tyler Perry recalled meeting one of his “heroes” when Lear invited him to lunch at his home. Perry shared how he told the sitcom legend about “how he had helped save [his] life.”

Perry wrote, in part, that Lear’s shows “were the only thing that brought laughter and joy to me as a child, who was living a daily nightmare.

“I shared with him that he taught me to dream a bigger dream by his example,” Perry wrote in a statement. “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. 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. … 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 [Good Morning America]. It felt good to be able to do something for him. A hero and someone who inspired me to try and bring as much laughter to the world as he brought 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.”

And Jane Fonda called it “a very sad day,” learning that Lear had died, calling him “a man who meant a lot to many on a personal level and who changed the face and soul of American comedy.

“My heart is heavy,” she wrote in a statement. “I loved Norman.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda took to his Instagram story to post a tribute to Lear.

“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,” the Hamilton creator wrote in a photographed note. “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: ‘Lin we gotta do this for Rita. Yes sir.’ 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.”

John Leguizamo called Lear “a master of story telling and a healer through his shows!”

The actor-activist, writing on social media, continued of Lear, “He is what all of showbiz should be aspiring to. He is the consummate creative producer we have long abandoned in the industry.”

Lear was also well known for his activism, with the longtime liberal co-founding the nonprofit People for the American Way in 1981.

Reacting to Lear’s death, PFAW president Svante Myrick said in a statement, “We are heartbroken. We extend our deepest sympathies to Norman’s wife Lyn and their entire family, and to the many people who, like us, loved Norman. Norman loved this country, and he loved defending its ideals. We will honor Norman by carrying on the work to which he dedicated so much of his life.”

Lear was also a founding donor to the National Comedy Center, contributing to the institution’s creation and opening in 2018. The center’s executive director Journey Gunderson said in a statement, “Norman Lear revolutionized the television landscape, pushed societal boundaries and transformed our culture with groundbreaking comedies that addressed serious issues and offered sharp social commentary while being remarkably funny — appealing to broad audiences for over five decades. He was a creative pioneer and true genius, who believed strongly in the power of laughter to unite us, and supported the non-profit mission of the National Comedy Center. We are proud to celebrate his extraordinary work for generations to come.”

Simpsons boss Al Jean called Lear a “Comedy colossus, tireless fighter for the little guy and a pleasure to know.”

And Pose showrunner Steven Canals wrote, “I never introduced myself to Norman Lear, but was in the same room as him twice. Both times he spoke, and his words were profound. He talked about: creating art that challenges & taking risks. Thank you, sir, for creating indelible stories that inspired me as a boy & as an adult. We all benefit from your legacy.”

Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra said the company was “deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Norman Lear.

“A Founding Father in our industry, Norman and the shows he created defined what great television could be,” Vinciquerra added in a statement. “Always entertaining, impactful, and fearless in addressing society’s most complex and difficult issues through humor, shows like All in the Family, The Jeffersons and One Day at a Time set the standard for modern television audiences and paved the way for just about every great situation comedy or drama that has followed since. Norman will forever be recognized among the great television legends, and we are honored to have had him as part of the Sony family. It was always a such a joy having him with us on the lot, and I’m already missing being able to check in with him. Our hearts go out to Lyn and his family and all those who had the pleasure of knowing him.”

And the president of production at Lear’s production company Act III Productions, Brent Miller, said in a statement: “It has been an absolute privilege and honor to be one of Norman’s many collaborators and partners. It has been thrilling and inspiring. He pushed us and inspired us every day to make entertainment that mattered. I will miss Norman’s wisdom, wit and friendship deeply. With the help and support of our partners at Sony Pictures Entertainment, as well as many other talented collaborators — writers, actors, executives and crew — we were fortunate enough to make television history, over and over again. He will remain the guiding light at Act III Productions as we continue the shows already in production and move forward with those we imagined together. I already miss his laugh and the twinkle in his eye and our shared love of Bloody Marys. But as he always said … to be continued …”

In a statement CBS said of Lear, “Norman Lear’s profound influence on television will never be forgotten. He was a creative icon whose comedic and courageous perspective on the America he loved had an immeasurable impact on our network, our viewers and television overall. His funny, realistic and fearless approach to storytelling rang true in his sharp writing and rich characters. He redefined the sitcom by introducing topics that had previously been avoided, including race, poverty and sexism. And he did it all with wit and heart, making it relatable to millions of Americans. Norman’s broad impact on our industry is surpassed only by his personal influence on the lives of the innumerable people he touched at every level of our business. He also remained a passionate advocate for equality and justice throughout his remarkable life. We extend our deepest condolences to Norman’s beloved family. His legacy will forever touch the medium we all love.”

Read more tributes to Lear below.

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