Norman Lear died Tuesday at the age of 101. The award-winning writer, director and producer helped shape sitcom TV into what it is today and is responsible for several hit shows including All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Maude, Sanford and Son, Diff’rent Strokes and The Facts of Life. In 1999, the TV legend was presented with the National Medal of Arts by then-President Bill Clinton, who summed up Lear’s impact beautifully when he said, “Norman Lear has held up a mirror to American society and changed the way we look at it.”
Lear also worked on the big screen from time to time, with writing credits on Come Blow Your Horn (1963); The Night They Raided Minsky’s (1968); The Thief Who Came to Dinner (1971); Stand by Me (1986) and The Princess Bride (1987). But there’s no denying that sitcom television is where the six-time Emmy winner truly shone. To celebrate the life of Norman Lear, here’s a look at his most popular shows (and where you can watch them).
Where to watch Norman Lear’s most popular shows
In honor of Lear’s life, Pluto TV will be airing marathons of some of his work across multiple channels starting tonight, starting at 7 p.m. ET. So you can tune in totally free to All in the Family on Pluto’s Classic TV Families, Maude on Classic TV Comedy and Sanford & Son followed by The Jeffersons on Black Classics.
Sanford and Son
is one of the classic sitcoms produced by Norman Lear that made a major impact on American television in the 1970s. The show follows the hilarious day-to-day life of Fred Sanford – a grumpy but lovable widower – and his son Lamont, as they run a junkyard business in Los Angeles. Packed with witty dialogue, sharp social satire, and standout performances (especially from Redd Foxx as Fred), Sanford and Son delivered both big laughs and thoughtful commentary on family, generational clashes, and life in a changing America.
