More Than 31 Celebs Have Shared Tributes To Norman Lear Following His Death At Age 101

Norman Lear, the prolific TV creator and activist, died at the age of 101 on Tuesday, his family announced on his website the next day.

In the ’70s, Lear created, developed, or produced a series of groundbreaking TV shows, including All in the Family, Maude, Good Times, The Jeffersons, One Day at a Time, and Diff’rent Strokes.

Following this success, he didn’t slow down and went on to produce films like The Princess Bride (1987) and Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), as well as TV shows like The Powers That Be (1992–1993) and One Day at a Time (2017–2020).

Norman was also an activist and philanthropist, as his family noted in their statement on Wednesday. In 1980, he founded People for the American Way, a progressive advocacy group.

Thanks to his cultural contributions, Norman received numerous awards and honors during his lifetime, including six Emmys, two Peabodys, and a Kennedy Center Honor in 2017.

In response to Norman’s death, an outpouring of remembrances and tributes came from numerous celebrities, including some who starred on his shows and others inspired by his life and work. Here are 32 celebrities (though there are many more) who paid tribute to Norman:

Many posted their tributes or condolences to his family on Twitter:

1. Rob Reiner, who starred on All in the Family: “I loved Norman Lear with all my heart. He was my second father. Sending my love to Lyn and the whole Lear family.”

@robreiner/Twitter / Via Twitter: @robreiner

2. Rita Moreno, who starred on One Day at a Time: “I am cut to the quick and already lonesome for my dear friend, Norman. Our nation has lost a treasured looking glass. By his reflected wit we were disarmed enough to see our wrinkles. And he wasn’t promoting makeup but heart transplants.”

3. Barbra Streisand: “Just heard about Norman Lear. He was 101. What a long life in television and film as well as being an activist and philanthropist. What an extraordinary man he was! Brilliant, kind, and funny.”

@BarbraStreisand/Twitter / Via Twitter: @BarbraStreisand

4. Billy Crystal: “We have lost a giant…a man of great humor and dignity. What an amazing life that has given so much to us all. He used laughter as a way to look at ourselves. A blessing to have been his friend for almost 50 yrs.”

5. Mark Ruffalo: “One of the all time great Humanists changed the world by being honest about the love, laughter, and troubles we all share. RIP Norman Lear, progressive King.”

6. Wanda Sykes, who has appeared on the recurring TV special series Live in Front of a Studio Audience which honored shows from the ’70s and ’80s, wrote: “Farewell to the incomparable Norman Lear, a trailblazer who challenged norms and shifted the paradigm through the laughter and lessons you’ve shared. It was an honor to be a small part of your impact and to witness it in my lifetime. To a legacy and life well-lived, thank you…”

@iamwandasykes/Twitter / Via Twitter: @iamwandasykes

8. Albert Brooks: “The greatest of the greats. R.I.P. Norman Lear. You were loved.”

9. Ben Stiller: “What an incredibly influential & brilliant man. He was a champion for social justice. I feel fortunate to have grown up in the time his shows became the standard for comedy on television. Also he was so humble & generous. Respect. Rest in peace.”

11. Billie Jean King: “Norman Lear was a creative trailblazer, far ahead of his time, who combined comedy with social commentary in a way no one else could. He was also one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, and a WWII veteran. Sending our love to his family. Norman will never be forgotten.”

@BillieJeanKing/Twitter / Via Twitter: @BillieJeanKing

12. Marc Maron: “RIP Norman Lear. He truly changed the world with comedy, fought the good fight and had an amazing life! It was an honor to talk to him.”

Twitter: @marcmaron

13. John Cusack: “RIP to the great Norman Lear — Proud to call him a friend.”

Twitter: @johncusack

14. Jane Lynch: “How lucky are we? How lucky are we to have crossed timelines with Norman Lear? How lucky am I to have grown up with All in the Family, Sanford and Son, Good Times, Maude, and all the rest? #Blessed. Rest now, Norman.”

15. Al Gore: “Few people have had as unique and positive an impact on our culture as Norman Lear. He brought an incredible diversity of stories about American life into our living rooms, and in doing so, brought us together to laugh — not at one another, but with one another. His enduring sense of kindness and compassion meant that even at 101 years old, he never stopped working to make sure he left the world better off than when he found it, and I have no doubt that he succeeded. He was a dear friend, and I am holding Lyn and the rest of the Lear family in my heart at this difficult time.”

Twitter: @algore

16. William Shatner: “Condolences to the family of Norman Lear. He contributed so much to American Television over the years.”

@WilliamShatner/Twitter / Via Twitter: @WilliamShatner

17. Arianna Huffington: “I am so deeply saddened by the passing of Norman Lear yesterday at the age of 101. I was blessed to have had the joy and the privilege to be friends with Norman for decades, and to celebrate his 101st birthday with his family and friends in August.”

18. Kevin Smith: “Farewell, @TheNormanLear! TV was the center of my life as a kid and his name was on so many of the shows that would shape my worldview. In the early 2000s, I got to hang out and work with an 80-year-old Norman for a few weeks. The legendary icon was so bubbly, kind & wise. RIP.”

19. Stephen King: “I met Norman Lear in his 90s — a smart, good-humored man, full of laughter and anecdote. Without him, there would have been no STAND BY ME. Do yourself a favor and check out this nice little video.” King linked to a tribute video posted on Norman’s website. You can view it here.

20. Mark Hamill: “He changed television forever with just one show. Just the beginning of a legacy that will last FOREVER. Thank you Norman Lear. 🙏.”

21. Kathy Griffin: “I had the pleasure of spending time with this giant at his home in the Palisades several times. The words ‘legend’ and ‘icon’ get thrown around too much, but this guy was both. RIP, Norman Lear.”

22. Holland Taylor: “You were a great leader, yet as accessible and warm as a friend from childhood. I learned greatly from you and remember countless moments of illumination and gratitude. Once I was in your office fulminating over some insane action by the studio, and ‘how dare they [treat] you that way, etc. etc.’ — and you reached over and took a big fat pinch of my cheek and squeezed it parentally and said, ‘Holland, Holland… What kind of a schmuck would I have to be to take it personally.’ Dear Norman, you will always be an arm’s reach from me, in my heart and mind, and I still have more to learn, even from the memory of you… My love to your enormous loving family and to all the world of people who will miss you.”

23. Mackenzie Phillips, who starred on One Day at a Time: “I woke up to this heartbreaking news. I loved Norman with all my heart. What a heart. What a soul. What a man. My deepest condolences to the family. Norman felt like family to so many of us. Rest well, dearest man. 💔.”

24. Ava DuVernay: “You did beautiful things with your long and mighty life, kind sir. Will always remember your kindness and personal advice. Grateful. 🙏🏾.”

25. Debi Mazar: “My condolences to you all. His writing changed everything. Thank you for years of laughter and realness ❤️.”

26. Chelsea Handler: “The best. What a life. ❤️.”

27. Jay Pharoah, who has appeared on Live in Front of a Studio Audience: “RIP to the Legend, so happy to get a chance to have worked with him🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾.”

28. Jennifer Aniston posted her own on Instagram: “Norman Lear. 💔 His shows shaped my childhood and getting to know him was one of my greatest honors. He made such a difference. A huge impact on television and humanity. He was able to tackle and discuss heated political conversations during difficult and charged times, and we were able to laugh and learn. I yearn for those days. When creativity was a learning tool and could inspire people to maybe think just a little bit differently. And of course to laugh. Our greatest source of healing.”

29. Jimmy Kimmel: “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. His bravery, integrity, and unmatched moral compass were equaled by his kindness, empathy, and wit. 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.”

30. Tyler Perry, whose full statement was published by the Hollywood Reporter, said of a conversation with Norman: “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.”

31. George Clooney: “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.”

32. Finally, Jane Fonda: “Today is a very sad day. Norman Lear, a man who meant a lot to many on a personal level and who changed the face and soul of American comedy, has passed. My heart is heavy. I loved Norman.”