Biography
Norman Milton Lear (July 27, 1922 – December 5, 2023) was a legendary American television writer and producer who produced such 1970s sitcoms as All in the Family, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, Good Times, Maude. As a political activist, he founded the advocacy organization People for the American Way in 1981 and has supported First Amendment rights and progressive causes. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, to Enie/Jeanette (Sokolovsky) and Hyman "Herman" Lear, a traveling salesman. His grandpa...
Known For
Complete Filmography
Before We Forget
2025
Executive Producer
A coming-of-age story that follows Matias, an Argentine filmmaker in his forties, struggling with an unfinished movie inspired by his elusive first lo...
Norman Lear: A Life on Television
2023
as Self
An ET special that features new interviews with stars of the long-running comedies Lear created and never-before-seen interviews from the ET vault. Th...
Being Mary Tyler Moore
2023
as Self (voice)
With unprecedented access to the Mary Tyler Moore Estate, friends, family, and colleagues, Being Mary Tyler Moore constructs an intimate mosaic of Mar...
I Got A Monster
2023
Executive Producer
In March of 2017, Baltimore was rocked by one of the nation’s largest Police corruption scandals when seven members of the elite Gun Trace Task Force ...
A Case for Kindness
2022
as Self
A Case For Kindness is a journey to understand the true nature of Kindness, making a case for why it is our best way forward as a society. The film wi...
Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter
2022
as Self
The one-night-only celebration honoring the life and legacy of the famed producer features intimate conversations, special performances and surprise r...
Gratitude Revealed
2022
as Himself
An epic journey forty years in the making, acclaimed filmmaker, Louie Schwartzberg, the director of Fantastic Fungi, takes us on a transformational, c...
"Sr."
2022
as Self
A portrait of the life and career of Robert Downey Sr. (1936-2021), the visionary and fearless US filmmaker — father of actor Robert Downey Jr. — who ...
Lucy and Desi
2022
as Self
Explore the unlikely partnership and enduring legacy of one of the most prolific power couples in entertainment history. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz r...
The Super Bob Einstein Movie
2021
as Self
This documentary explores Bob Einstein’s unlikely discovery and enduring career, sharing the many evolving layers of his comedy from the people that k...
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes
2021
as Self - Host
The live special event features reenactments of episodes from “The Facts of Life” and “Diff’rent Strokes”.
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes
2021
Executive Producer
The live special event features reenactments of episodes from “The Facts of Life” and “Diff’rent Strokes”.
Adventures In Christmasing
2021
as Himself
Parker Baldwin finds her Christmas plans upended when her network persuades her to spend three days in the wild with survivalist Finn Holt for a holid...
Dean Martin: King of Cool
2021
as Self
Dean Martin had a laid-back charm that made him successful in everything from big-screen comedies to television variety shows to live acts in Las Vega...
I Carry You with Me
2021
Executive Producer
An epic love story spanning decades is sparked by a chance encounter between two men in provincial Mexico. Based on a true story, ambition and societa...
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It
2021
as Self
Rita Moreno defied both her humble upbringing and relentless racism to become one of a select group who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award...
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It
2021
Executive Producer
Rita Moreno defied both her humble upbringing and relentless racism to become one of a select group who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award...
A Virtual Princess Bride Reunion
2020
as Self
The cast of The Princess Bride is together again! The stars of the iconic 1987 fantasy film reunited for a virtual table read hosted by Jason Reitman....
Pioneers in Skirts
2020
as self
Pioneers in Skirts is an Emmy-nominated 60-min documentary about the obstacles that get in the way of pioneering ambition. The film addresses percepti...
Find Your Groove
2020
as Self
In this uplifitng documentary, stars and musicians from across the industry speak to the power and importance of music in society. Here we examine how...
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"
2019
as Self - Co-Host
Live performances of classic holiday-themed episodes from Norman Lear's hit shows "All in the Family" and "Good Times."
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"
2019
Original Series Creator, Executive Producer
Live performances of classic holiday-themed episodes from Norman Lear's hit shows "All in the Family" and "Good Times."
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons"
2019
as Himself (host)
Celebrities re-create an original episode each from "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons."
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons"
2019
Writer
Celebrities re-create an original episode each from "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons."
I Want My MTV
2019
as Self
The film is about the formation of a music channel that has shaped modern pop culture. On August 1, 1981, the life of a whole generation of Americans ...
Robert Scheer: Above the Fold
2019
as Self
A documentary on the six-decades long career of a muckraking journalist, who was involved with the radical 196os magazine Ramparts, with the Los Angel...
Viewer Direction Advised
2018
as Self
Twenty-one year old Ben is on a journey - to follow his TV-obsessed dad and explore how television consumption has evolved from one generation to the ...
The Newspaperman: The Life and Times of Ben Bradlee
2017
as Self
An intimate portrait of Washington Post executive editor Ben Bradlee, tracing his remarkable ascent from a young Boston boy stricken with polio to the...
If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast
2017
as Self
Irrepressible writer-comedian Carl Reiner, who shows no signs of slowing down at 94, tracks down celebrated nonagenarians, and a few others over 100, ...
Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You
2016
as Self
Arguably the most influential creator, writer, and producer in the history of television, Norman Lear brought primetime into step with the times. Usin...
Playing For Change 3 - Songs Around The World
2014
Executive Producer
Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption
2013
as Self
Terrence McNally’s Corpus Christi is a play retelling the Jesus story, with Jesus as a gay man living in the 1950s in Corpus Christi, Texas. This docu...
Casting By
2012
as Self
This essential new documentary pays tribute to the legacy of the late, legendary casting director Marion Dougherty and shines a light on one of the mo...
Pablo
2012
as Self
Pablo blends documentary and animation elements to tell the saga of "famous unknown" Pablo Ferro, a man with a personal journey that spans from Havana...
The Television Revolution Begins: "All in the Family" Is On the Air
2009
as Self
DVD featurette documenting the success of "All in the Family".
Those Were the Days: The Birth of "All in the Family"
2009
as Self
DVD featurette documenting the beginnings of "All in the Family"
The Brothers Warner
2008
as Self - Producer
An intimate portrait and saga of four film pioneers--Harry, Albert, Sam and Jack who rose from immigrant poverty through personal tragedies perseverin...
Pete Seeger: The Power of Song
2007
Executive Producer
Interviews, archival footage and home movies are used to illustrate a social history of folk artists Pete Seeger.
A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin
2005
On May 8th, 1945, writer, director Norman Corwin broadcast ON A NOTE OF TRIUMPH, an unforgettable homage to the end of war in Europe. This film shines...
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
2003
as Self
Lifetime's "Intimate Portrait" series shines a spotlight on the Golden Girls -- Bea Arthur, Betty White, Estelle Getty and Rue McClanahan -- with a co...
Way Past Cool
2000
Executive Producer
Based on the award-winning best seller by Jess Mowry, "Way Past Cool" is a coming-of-age story told in reverse, for it is the story of a group of youn...
Funny Is Money
1999
as Self
Showtime's "In the 20th Century" is a millennium-related strand of feature-length documentaries in which famous directors take on major subjects of th...
Perfect Moment
1997
as Self
In this documentary, artist-filmmaker Nicholas Hondrogen asks people to describe memorable moments of their lives. Some, such as Norman Lear and India...
Corwin
1996
as Self
Biography of Norman Corwin, the great writer, producer and director of the Golden Age of Radio. Actors in his radio plays included Orson Welles, Jimmy...
Color Adjustment
1992
as Self
From Amos 'n' Andy to Nat King Cole, from Roots to The Cosby Show, black people have played many roles on primetime television. Brilliantly weaving cl...
Fried Green Tomatoes
1991
Executive Producer
Amidst her own personality crisis, a southern housewife meets an outgoing old woman who tells her the story of Idgie Threadgoode and Ruth Jamison, two...
All in the Family: 20th Anniversary Special
1991
as Self - Host
All in the Family: 20th Anniversary Special
1991
Executive Producer
The Princess Bride
1987
Executive Producer
In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup and the dashing Westley must overcome staggering odds to find happiness amid...
Heartsounds
1984
Executive Producer
New York urologist Harold Lear gets a taste of his own medicine when he suffers a heart attack and is confronted with a medical institution which does...
I Love Liberty
1982
Executive Producer, Writer
An all-star variety special saluting America.
Traveling Hopefully
1982
as Self - Television Producer
A documentary about Roger Baldwin, the founder of the ACLU.
A Different Approach
1978
An all-star educational film about the positive side of hiring people with disabilities. A board sit and watch the film Michael Keaton's character's a...
The Thief Who Came to Dinner
1973
Producer
A computer programmer decides to become a thief. And when he starts making waves, an insurance investigator hounds him. He also meets a woman who beco...
Cold Turkey
1971
as Crying Man (uncredited)
Reverend Brooks leads his small Iowa town in a contest to stop smoking for a month. But some tobacco executives don't want them to win, and try everyt...
Cold Turkey
1971
Director, Screenplay, Producer
Reverend Brooks leads his small Iowa town in a contest to stop smoking for a month. But some tobacco executives don't want them to win, and try everyt...
Start the Revolution Without Me
1970
Executive Producer
Two sets of identical twins are accidentally switched at birth. One pair, Phillipe and Pierre DeSisi, are aristocratic and haughty, while the other, C...
The Night They Raided Minsky's
1968
Screenplay, Producer
Rachel arrives in New York from her Amish community intent on becoming a dancer. Unfortunately Billy Minsky's Burlesque is hardly the place for her Da...
Divorce American Style
1967
Producer, Screenplay
After 17 years of marriage in American suburbia, Richard and Barbara Harmon step into the new world of divorce.
Never Too Late
1965
Producer
A 60-year-old lumber supply businessman is dismayed to learn his 50-year-old wife is pregnant. A film adaptation of the hit Broadway comedy, with Paul...
Come Blow Your Horn
1963
as Party Guest (uncredited)
The story of a young man's decision to leave the home of his parents for the bachelor pad of his older brother who leads a swinging '60s lifestyle.
Come Blow Your Horn
1963
Screenplay, Producer
The story of a young man's decision to leave the home of his parents for the bachelor pad of his older brother who leads a swinging '60s lifestyle.
Scared Stiff
1953
Additional Dialogue
A nightclub singer and his partner escape mobsters by fleeing to Cuba with a beautiful heiress, who has inherited a haunted castle on an isolated isla...