<\/p>\n Norman Lear<\/strong>, the TV icon who had a seismic impact on American culture and social change, has died.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Lear died at his home in L.A. Tuesday of natural causes, according to his publicist.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n There is no way to overstate Lear’s importance in media and beyond. He created “All in the Family” and it was more than groundbreaking when it debuted in 1971 … a show about a bigoted, blue-collar dude with a family that did not align with his views. The character he created, Archie Bunker, was both despicable and, at times, loveable.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The show tackled issues never touched before on TV … including homosexuality, racism, the Vietnam War, racism and women’s rights. Archie became frenemies with George Jefferson, who became so popular Lear created another monster hit — “The Jeffersons.” Likewise, another character, Maude, played by Bea Arthur<\/strong><\/a>, became yet another hit spinoff.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n That’s just a short list of Lear’s hits … others include “Sanford and Son,” “Good Times,” “One Day at a Time,” and “Diff’rent Strokes.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lear had a unique knack for creating humor around touchy social and political issues. In short, he changed TV and American culture.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n He was an activist until he died … a staunch liberal who once took on the conservative Moral Majority. He was a die-hard critic of Donald Trump<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n His family said in a statement, “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.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n![\"Rita](\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/9e\/4by3\/2023\/12\/06\/9ece943c73034b9fa52d25e459257d98_md.png\")
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