Norman Lear, the legendary writer, director, and producer who reshaped prime time television with groundbreaking shows like “All in the Family” and “Maude,” passed away at 101. His death occurred peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by family in Los Angeles, as confirmed by his spokesperson, Lara Bergthold.

Lear, renowned for his liberal activism and knack for mainstream entertainment, brought political and social issues to the sitcom format, previously untouched by such themes.

His works, particularly “All in the Family,” were pivotal in shaping 1970s prime time comedy. The show, reflecting Lear’s childhood and tackling issues like racism, feminism, and the Vietnam War, starred Carroll O’Connor as the conservative Archie Bunker, Jean Stapleton as his wife Edith, and Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers as their liberal son-in-law and daughter.

Lear’s productions transformed prime time TV, previously dominated by traditional shows like “Here’s Lucy” and “Gunsmoke.”

“All in the Family” started with a disclaimer about its intent to humorously spotlight societal flaws, quickly climbing to No. 1 in ratings and turning Archie Bunker into a pop culture icon.

The show, along with its spinoffs “Maude” and “The Jeffersons,” blended one-liners with social conflict, sometimes provoking controversy, as seen in an episode of “Maude” dealing with abortion and an “All in the Family” episode on same-sex relationships, which even drew criticism from President Nixon.

Lear’s influence extended beyond sitcoms. He founded the nonprofit People for the American Way in 1980, opposing the mixing of politics and religion by conservative religious groups. His political activism was also evident in purchasing a copy of the Declaration of Independence for a nationwide tour.

Lear remained creatively active into his 90s, rebooting “One Day at a Time” for Netflix and participating in documentaries. His accolades include induction into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Hall of Fame and receiving a National Medal of Arts.

Despite his successes, Lear faced challenges, such as resistance from cast members over sensitive content and short-lived shows like “704 Hauser.” His business acumen, however, was consistently strong, leading to significant deals like the sale of Embassy Communications to Coca-Cola for $485 million.

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, to a securities broker father and a homemaker mother, Lear’s tumultuous family life inspired much of his work. His political engagement began early, influenced by his Russian immigrant grandfather’s correspondence with President Roosevelt.

After serving in the Air Force during World War II, Lear embarked on a career in entertainment, contributing to shows like “The Colgate Comedy Hour” and founding Tandem Productions.

In later years, he established The Business Enterprise Trust and the Norman Lear Center at USC, continually influencing the intersection of entertainment, commerce, and society.

His memoir, “Even This I Get to Experience,” published in 2014, caps a life that profoundly impacted American television and culture.

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