LEAR, NORMAN MILTON

born July 27, 1922, New Haven, Conn., U.S.

U.S. producer, writer, and director.

He first worked in public relations and later in television as a comedy writer and director (1950–59). He wrote and produced movies such as Come Blow Your Horn (1963), Divorce American Style (1967), and Cold Turkey (1971) before returning to television to create and produce hit series such as All in the Family (1971–83), for which he received four Emmy Awards; Maude (1972–78); Sanford and Son (1972–77); and The Jeffersons (1975–85). He founded the progressive activist group People for the American Way.