Norman Lear changed TV culture, from ‘All in the Family’ to ‘The Facts of Life’
Lear died of natural causes at his home Tuesday in Los Angeles surrounded by his family at the age of 101.
While Lear’s sitcoms were a ratings success, they also touched on social topics — racism, homosexuality and war. “All in the Family” was Lear’s first, of many, successful sitcoms, earning him four Emmys throughout its run in the ’70s.
“All in the Family,” which aired on CBS, ran from 1971 until 1979 for nine seasons. The show starred Jean Stapleton, Sally Struthers, Carroll O’Connor and Rob Reiner.
The show followed the life of Archie Bunker, a working-class man. In 1979, the show was picked up as “Archie Bunker’s Place” and continued to air through 1983.
“Sanford and Son” ran from 1972 until 1977 and featured 135 episodes. The NBC sitcom starred Demond Wilson, Redd Foxx, Whitman Mayo, LaWanda Page, Don Bexley, Nathanial Taylor and others.
In the show, Fred Sanford (Foxx) runs a junk shop in South Central Los Angeles with his son, Lamont Sanford (Wilson). The duo often participated in “get-rich quick” schemes with friends.
“Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” ran for two seasons beginning in 1976 and featured 325 episodes. The satirical soap opera starred Louise Lasser, Mary Kay Place, Greg Mullavey, Norman Lear himself, Claudia Lamb and Debralee Scott.
The show focused on Mary Hartman (Lasser), a housewife living in Ohio. Throughout the series, Lasser’s character is devastated by murders, venereal disease, low-flying airplanes and more.
“Maude” ran from 1972 until 1978 and showcased 141 episodes. The sitcom, originally broadcast on CBS, starred Bea Arthur, Bill Macy, Conrad Bain, Rue McClanahan and Brian Morrison.
“Maude” was a spinoff of Lear’s “All in the Family.” The show follows main character Maude Findlay (Arthur), who is living with her fourth husband and adult daughter in New York.
