The iconic television personality died at the age of 101 on Dec. 6.
Norman Lear died of cardiac arrest.
According to the death certificate, obtained by TMZ, the All in the Family creator’s death is listed as cardiac arrest, with congestive heart failure as an underlying cause of death.
ET confirmed that Lear died on Dec. 6. He was 101.
Lara Bergthold, a spokeswoman for the family, said that the Good Times creator died after a “lifetime of laughter” at his home in Los Angeles, California. At the time, the statement said he died of “natural causes.”
“Thank you for the moving outpouring of love and support in honor of our wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Norman lived a life of creativity, tenacity, and empathy. He deeply loved our country and spent a lifetime helping to preserve its founding ideals of justice and equality for all. Knowing and loving him has been the greatest of gifts. We ask for your understanding as we mourn privately in celebration of this remarkable human being,” the statement read.
Following the news of his death, Lear’s decades-long career and wit was celebrated across Hollywood as he was remembered by actors, producers and late night hosts.
“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,” Jennifer Aniston wrote. “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.”
She continued, “He was the kindest and gentlest man. When you were in his presence, you were the only one in the room. He made everyone feel this. Even when someone believed differently than him. That’s what made life and people interesting to him. To have discussions and really take in how people felt and hear their point of view. He knew how to give voice to all sides and somehow in the process bring people closer together. May we take a page from Norman’s playbook as a way of honoring his life. An extraordinary life. Rest in peace Norman. It was a gift to stand in your light.”
On the day of his passing, ET spoke to Oprah Winfrey, who honored the icon on the carpet of The Color Purple.
“He was one of the grand gentlemen of our time,” Winfrey told ET. “I’ve had so much respect for him, I’ve interviewed him multiple times. I mean, in the very beginning, the 70s, his shows are what started the conversation about race and justice — All in the Family, The Jeffersons — in a way that America had not been prepared to [discuss] before,” the former TV host said.
She continued, “His impact and his legacy will be felt for generations to come. Even people who are not familiar with his shows are experiencing the benefits of what those shows did for us as a culture.”
Source: ET
