Talk about a long life, and one well lived, that would be Norman Lear. He just passed yesterday at his home in Los Angeles, at the age of 101 years old. I met Norman Lear years ago because I knew his wife, Lynn, before they met and got married. Lynn was a psychologist and a reader of a metaphysical/religious book called The Urantia Book. I also read the book. Readers of the book used to gather together in study groups
Norman and Lynn Lear sponsored a dinner one evening and invited readers of the Urantia Book, and it was quite a nice affair. The food was good and there was a three-piece chamber orchestra playing and that was an extremely nice touch. I remember the evening well, although the date is foggy. Sometime in the nineties would be my guess. This is what the Lear family released this morning.
Lynn and Norman had a son and two daughters and Norman had two daughters from a previous marriage, is my recollection.
I loved all of Lear’s shows in the 70’s. All In The Family, Mary Hartman, The Jeffersons, Sanford & Sons, they were all wonderful. Lear conceived of All In The Family many years before it actually went on the air in the 70’s. I remember Harlan Ellison commenting on a clip of it which he had seen and saying that it would be remarkable if Lear could get that show on the air, with all the social commentary. That was in the 60’s and the 60’s was not the era for All In The Family, but the 70’s was.
An amazing life, well lived. So long, Norman. My only regret is that I never got to know you better.
I believe “All in the Family” was an adaptation of a British show, “Till Death Us Do Part” and not 100% original. Same with “Sanford and Son” (Steptoe and Son).
I hadn’t heard that but you might be right. Maybe I should look up those British shows.
Hate to loose visionaries who have a social conscience! R.I.P.
lose…damn fingers.ha
He contributed heavily to People For The American Way, which subsidizes Right Wing Watch, if I’m not mistaken. I’m hoping that all of that continues.
Not just contributed, Norman Lear FOUNDED PFAW, in opposition to what was being put forth by Jerry Fallwell’s “Moral Majority”.
As a contributor to PFAW, I’m aware of its ongoing efforts; I just looked up Moral Majority and learned it was dissolved in 1989. INN-teresting….