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. In his 90s, lear has crossed unimaginable measures of impact and history. He recently wrapped up an autobiography, was featured in a new documentary. Norman lear talks art, activism and the 2016 election arts. Sherman hemsley on norman lear making the rounds of broadway shows to look for talent, and being spotted when hemsley was part of the cast of the musical purlie sherman hemsley on norman lear working with the actors during the cast readings on the jeffersons. Lear is spotlighted in the 2016 documentary norman lear. Oct 03, 2016 phil rosenthal discusses norman lears impact theatrical release of norman lear. Oct 28, 2016 the 94yearold writer, producer, civic warrior, and raconteur just received the welldeserved american masters treatment with the documentary norman lear. Norman milton lear born july 27, 1922 is an american television writer and producer who produced many 1970s sitcoms such as all in the family, sanford and son, one day at a time, the jeffersons, good times, and maude.
Largely responsible for the explosion of bold american television in the 1970s, writerproducer norman lear s name is synonymous with the sitcom. Norman lear is a writer, producer, and political activist best known for sitcoms all in the family, the jeffersons, one day at a time, and maude, among many others. Jul 05, 2016 for those of us who grew up watching the 1970s tv comedies all in the family and maude, norman lear is a neargod. Just another version of you in theaters july 2016 and on pbs and netflix fall 2016. Jul 11, 2016 nprs robert siegel talks to legendary television producer norman lear about some insights into his character featured in a new documentary about his life called just another version of you. In his new autobiography, even this i get to experience, the 92yearold lear looks back on his life, including his troubled childhood, his world war. Just another version of you celebrates norman lears tv. Growing up as a new haven, connecticut jewish boy to parents of ukrainian and russian ancestry, norman lear s sense of involvement and purpose came early. Rita moreno documentary in the works from linmanuel. In the 1970s and decades following, tv producer norman lear touched the lives of millions with culturealtering sitcoms like all in the family, the jeffersons and good times, pushing the boundaries of the era and giving a primetime voice to underrepresented americans. Just another version of you full movie in hd visit movie 373339 arguably the most influential creator, writer.
Lear cocreated and produced those cultureshaking shows, along with the landmark. Norman lear is a world war ii veteran, actor, writer, producer, director, and creator of such. His grandparents were all russian jewish immigrants. Jul 07, 2016 at the age of 94, norman lear is still entertaining america. Aug 23, 2016 norman lear may have just turned 94, but the iconic television writer and producer is showing no signs of slowing down.
At the age of 94, norman lear is still entertaining america. Documentary examines the life, and heart, of the creator of all in the family and so much more. Pbs, for almost a halfcentury, has been one place on the spectrum in which decisions were based on something far more fundamental and timeless than ratings and earnings. Just another version of you, premieres nationwide tuesday, october 25 at 9 p. Norman lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film, and as a political and social activist and philanthropist. From his childhood and early career with his groundbreaking tv success all in the family, the jeffersons, good times, maude and social activism, lear proved social change was possible through an unlikely prism laughter and created some of the greatest moments in. Just another version of you, premieres nationwide tuesday.
In his book, lear opens up with all the candor, humor and wisdom of. Phil rosenthal discusses norman lears impact theatrical release of norman lear. Norman lear, legendary and visionary television producer, talks about his history in the industry. Nprs robert siegel talks to legendary television producer norman lear about some insights into his character featured in a new documentary. I was in need of more background information for my documentary based on one of the child actors jermain johnson in the show. Ok, but one great problem with this documentary is its emotional tone, which is that of. Norman lear, in full norman milton lear, born july 27, 1922, new haven, connecticut, u. From his childhood and early career with his groundbreaking tv success all in the family, the jeffersons, good times, maude and social activism, lear proved social change was possible through an unlikely prism laughter and created some of the greatest moments in television history. But when he began exploring the subject for america divided, lear said he was horrified at how little i knew. Carl reiners documentary explores life after 90 89. Aug 06, 2016 in his 90s, lear has crossed unimaginable measures of impact and history. Ap norman lear, age 94 and a native new yorker, thought he knew a few things about the obstacles of housing in the big apple.
In a series of speeches and articles over the years, he has urged a frank exploration of spiritual questions as a way to discover what human beings, despite their many differences, may truly hold in. The single most influential person in tv history may well be producer norman lear, who changed the medium and american culture with landmark shows such as all in the family, maude, good times, the jeffersons and mary hartman, mary hartman. Norman lear is a world war ii veteran, actor, writer, producer, director, and creator of such legendary sitcoms that defined and revolutionized american television. Oct 20, 2016 capturing the essence of norman lear a documentary on pbs reveals the successes, failures and brilliance of this top tv producer. Norman lear even this i get to experience order now. Norman lear talks art, activism and the 2016 election. Linmanuel miranda and norman lear are making a documentary about rita morenos life for pbs. In a series of speeches and articles over the years, he has urged a frank exploration of spiritual questions as a way to discover what human beings, despite their many differences, may truly hold in common.
Just another version of you 2016 tvma 1h 31m documentaries this documentary turns the spotlight on the man behind the iconic all in the family, with comments from friends, family and famous collaborators. Just another version of you is a portrait of the 1970s tv hitmaker who broke ground with issueoriented humor. In 2017, lear served as executive producer for one day at a time, the reboot of his 19751984 show of the same name that premiered on netflix starring justina machado and rita moreno as a cubanamerican family. The first documentary about the 94yearold television legend, american mastersnorman lear. Norman lear is a much better storyteller than the directors. The film inserts us into a solipsistic universe of norman lear, one that also overlaps many of the most significant social, political, and showbiz issues of the second half of the 20th century. Lears memoir, even this i get to experience, was released in 2014.
This documentary turns the spotlight on the man behind the iconic all in the. Just another version of you sounds off on politics and reveals his democratic presidential choice. Norman lear has changed the face of television, and at least 120 million americans watch norman lear shows every week. Norman lear has long regarded the life of the spirit as one of the great human imperatives of our time. Oct 03, 2016 norman lear documentary exclusive clip. Norman lear celebrity profile check out the latest norman lear photo gallery, biography, pics, pictures, interviews, news, forums and blogs at rotten tomatoes. Largely responsible for bold american television in the 1970s, norman lears name is synonymous with the sitcom. Norman lear, creator of archie bunker, is shocked at trump and the state of america norman lear sits in his office on the sony pictures studios lot in culver city on dec. For those of us who grew up watching the 1970s tv comedies all in the family and maude, norman lear is a neargod.
Just another version of you sundance festival announces documentary line. Just another version of you celebrates norman lears tv legacy. Responsible for groundbreaking programs, norman lear changed the way we watched television. As a publicist for broadway stars, a writer for top. Oct 25, 2016 largely responsible for bold american television in the 1970s, norman lear s name is synonymous with the sitcom.
In an intimate, smart conversation with eric hirshberg, he shares with humility and humor. Norman milton lear was born in new haven, connecticut, to eniejeanette sokolovsky and hyman herman lear, a traveling salesman. A new documentary captures the essence of his road less traveled. Jan 08, 20 norman lear, legendary and visionary television producer, talks about his history in the industry. Just another version of you, serves as a fine, if facile, introduction into the life of the creator of all in the. Just another version of you stylishly chronicles his vast contributions. The 94yearold writer, producer, civic warrior, and raconteur just received the welldeserved american masters treatment with the documentary norman lear. Just another version of you dives into the life and career of this man who changed tv forever with those shows, and it makes for a surprisingly touching, charming and. In a house divided, norman lear, creator of all in the family, good times and the jeffersons, investigates the housing affordability crisis in new york city through. The documentary also features colorful stories from lears family, friends and collaborators, including john amos, george clooney, alan horn.
Largely responsible for bold american television in the 1970s, norman lear s name is synonymous with the sitcom. Lear proved social change was possible through an unlikely prismlaughterand created some of the greatest moments in television history. Just another version of you sundance festival announces documentary lineup, including american masters films. Norman lear documentary celebrates the good times of the tv. With norman lear, john amos, bea arthur, adrienne barbeau. Norman lear calls donald trump americas middle finger. Growing up as a new haven, connecticut jewish boy to parents of ukrainian and russian ancestry, norman lears sense of involvement and purpose came early. Just another version of you official trailer 1 2016. Norman lear is all in the family and full of good times. Just another version of you pays tribute to its subjects brilliant. Why hes the michelangelo of tv sitcoms watch pbss american masters doc about the tv legend premieres oct. In 1942 lear dropped out of emerson college to serve with the united states army air forces in wwii, during which he flew 52 combat missions and was awarded the air medal with four oak leaf clusters.
Norman lear may have just turned 94, but the iconic television writer and producer is showing no signs of slowing down. Dave lauridsen norman lear, 92, reinvented american television in the 1970s with all in the family and a string of other truetolife sitcoms. A look at the life, work and political activism of one of the most successful television producers of all time, norman lear. Arguably the most influential creator, writer, and producer in the.
Pbs, for almost a halfcentury, has been one place on the spectrum in which decisions were based on something far. Mel brooks, norman lear and carl reiner discuss life at 90 and beyond for reiners documentary, if youre not in. The tv veteran the subject of sundances opening night film norman lear. Jul 05, 2016 thats the story behind the title of norman lear. I love norman lear and his works, and im glad i purchased this documentary. Norman lear, king of sitcom, gets documentary treatment. Oct 17, 2016 american masters new documentary on norman lear features interviews with the tv sitcom legend himself, plus george clooney, jon stewart, amy poehler, mel brooks, lena dunham, carl and rob reiner.