Norman Lear’s Net Worth

Norman Lear’s net worth at the time of his death was proof that his work as a producer, screenwriter and revolutionary TV creator paid off. (Also proof? The countless laughs he got over the course of his decades-long career.)

Lear, who died at 101, changed the trajectory of television. He created and produced All in the Family, considered to be one of the best TV sitcoms of all time, as well as a string of comedies including Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons and One Day at a Time.

How many marriages has Norman Lear had?
Lyn has been married to Norman for over 30 years. She is his third wife. The famed producer was previously married to Charlotte Rosen from 1943 to 1956 and Frances Lear from 1956 to 1985.

What was Norman Lear’s net worth?
Norman Lear was an American television writer and producer who had a net worth of $200 million at the time of his death. Norman Lear was born on July 27, 1922 and died on December 5, 2023, at the age of 101. As we detail later in this article, Norman earned the bulk of his fortune thanks to the sale of his company Avco Embassy Pictures. In 1985, Norman and Jerry Perenchio sold Avco Embassy Pictures to Columbia Pictures for $485 million. They took the payment in Coca Cola stock. Norman would have been far richer at the time of his death had he not gone through a very expensive divorce. The same year he sold Avco, Norman and his wife of 28 years divorced. He subsequently paid her a $112 million settlement. As we detail throughout this article, Norman remained active in both the television and business worlds for the rest of his life.

Beginning Of Norman Lear

Norman Lear created “All in the Family” in 1971, a sitcom that became a cultural phenomenon. The show broke new ground by tackling topics like racism, homophobia, and women’s rights, subjects that were previously considered taboo for a network sitcom. “All in the Family” not only entertained audiences but also sparked important conversations, earning both high ratings and critical acclaim.

Following the success of “All in the Family,” Lear continued to create a series of successful sitcoms, including “Sanford and Son,” “Maude,” “Good Times,” “The Jeffersons,” and “One Day at a Time.” Each show, in its unique way, addressed critical social issues and reflected Lear’s commitment to exploring the complexities of American life. His shows were known for their multidimensional characters, sharp wit, and willingness to confront challenging issues head-on.

Lear’s impact on television extends beyond his sitcoms. He was a pioneer in using the medium as a platform for social change, proving that television could be both entertaining and enlightening. His work not only changed what audiences expected from sitcoms but also influenced generations of writers and producers.

Additionally, he was a noted political activist, and made major financial contributions to progressive causes and politicians. In 1980, Lear founded the advocacy group People for the American Way to combat the conservative Christian agenda.

How did Norman Lear get his start?
Lear’s legendary career began in the 1950s, when he partnered with his first cousin Elaine’s husband Ed Simmons to write sketches featured on variety show The Colgate Comedy Hour for comedic duo Martin and Lewis. His skill as a comedy writer caught fire, leading him to find steady work in TV writing. He created his first television series, The Deputy, starring Henry Fonda in 1959, and although it lasted only two seasons, its run made clear from the jump that Lear was going places. He next pivoted to writing and producing movies, including Come Blow Your Horn and Divorce American Style, the latter of which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. But by the 1970s, he was back to working in television, the medium that he would go on to transform over the course of that decade, starting with 1971’s All in the Family. The sitcom was groundbreaking for its use of comedy to shine a spotlight on racism, gay rights, abortion and other subjects that were taboo at the time. It won 22 Emmys and remains one of three television shows to be number one in the NMR ratings for five consecutive seasons.

What did Norman Lear do for a living?
Norman Milton Lear (born July 27, 1922) is an American screenwriter and producer who has produced, written, created or developed over 100 shows.

Norman Lear shows list
Lear was behind many TV series, whether in a writing, producing and/or developing capacity, including but not limited to:

All in the Family (1971)
Maude (1971)
Sanford and Son (1972)
The Jeffersons (1975)
One Day at a Time (1975)
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976)
Good Times (1979)
The Facts of Life (1979)
How many Emmys does Norman Lear have?
Lear won six Emmy awards for his work in television, including:
Outstanding Variety Special (Live) – 2020 (Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: “All In The Family” And “Good Times”)
Outstanding Variety Special (Live) – 2019 (Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: Normal Lear’s “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons”)
Outstanding Comedy Series – 1973 (“All in the Family”)
Outstanding Comedy Series – 1972 (“All in the Family”)
Outstanding New Series – 1971 (“All in the Family”)
Outstanding Series – Comedy – 1971 (“All in the Family”