Rob Reiner, Quinta Brunson, Jimmy Kimmel and More Pay Tribute to Norman Lear: ‘My Second Father’

The tributes are pouring in for legendary TV producer Norman Lear, who died Tuesday at the age of 101. Rob Reiner, whose career kick-started with Lear’s “All in the Family,” called the icon his “second father,” while “Abbott Elementary” creator and star Quinta Brunson affectionately referred to Lear as “my goat.”

In the initial reactions, “goat” is the term being floated around most — the word denoting Greatest of All Time. It’s hard to argue with that status given Lear’s extraordinary career. Few, if any, made an impact on television the way he did, not just with breakout shows like “All in the Family” and “Good Times” but throughout the decades — Lear produced the beloved sitcom “One Day at a Time” in 2017.

Jimmy Kimmel offered a lengthy tribute of his own 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,” Kimmel began. “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 continued, lauding Lear’s concern for humanity’s future.

“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.”

George Clooney said, “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 called Lear one of his heroes in a statement.

“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. 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 said Lear’s classic sitcoms were “the only thing that brought laughter and joy to me as a child, who was living a daily nightmare.” He continued, “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.

“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.”

Lear’s knack for tackling politics in a consumer-friendly format is also being hailed, notably by “The Wire” creator David Simon. “Anyone who ever had a chance to say something pointed or political in an American television entertainment owes Norman Lear their adoration and awe,” he said. “He saw what was possible in that vacuous glowing box and, almost singularly, he made it so.”

Read some of the initial reactions below. Many more to follow.

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