Norman Lear

Norman Lear looks back and forever forward as the TV legend celebrates his 100th birthday. "A new century starts," he says. "How exciting is that?"

"My birthday will entirely consist of waking up in the morning to find my kids and grandkids there and spending the day together," Lear says. "You gotta get out of bed every day until you reach a 100," Lear says. "Tony and Alyssa bring this continuation of the Micellis to life,'' Lear says. We sit around a table and sing and play into the early morning," says Lear, who still enjoys his Cuban cigars. And so on." "Norman's career has been a lifetime of collaboration, and that hasn't changed," Miller says. Lear cut into a giant cake on the Sony studios lot July 19 in front of well-wishers. "It's been going on so long, and we enjoy each other. Lear still hosts a weekly cigar smoking club with musician friends, which had to go virtual during the pandemic. The updated version features "Schitt’s Creek" star Emily Hampshire, who will co-write and executive produce. Lear's gift to himself on his birthday is continuing the work he loves. If Lear's next century is anything like his first, then it's going to be a doozy.

An earlier version of this article misstated the date of an ABC special that will salute Norman Lear's 100th birthday. The special will air Thursday, Sept. 22.

Justina Machado, who starred as Penelope Alvarez in the 2017 Netflix reboot of “One Day at a Time,” which Lear executive-produced, calls him “an American hero,” “a true friend” and a “genius.” “Getting to know Norman and working with him is a highlight of my life and my career,” Machado says via email. And we have conversations today about the same things that he was writing about in the 1970s.” “It’s incredible because to some extent, he’s never changed in the most important ways,” she says. “The only reason I haven’t used the word is that I’m sure everybody is using it. “He was committed, unabashedly, to putting these provocative topics on television,” West says, citing “Maude’s Dilemma,” a two-part episode of “Maude” finding Bea Arthur’s Maude Findlay contemplating — and ultimately getting — an abortion. All of those are resonating today in 2022,” West says. “America has never been in more need of its solid, caring citizens,” Lear says. And that’s just one of the many, many times Lear’s sitcoms grappled with difficult topics. His birthday is Wednesday. He planned to spend it in Vermont “at what I call our Yiddish Hyannis Port with all my kids and grandkids. In 2004, he founded Declare Yourself, a campaign to urge young people to vote. In 1981, he founded People for the American Way, a nonprofit that aimed to challenge the agenda of the Moral Majority and that eventually became a political action committee. … What a super, super addition to the human race he is.”

On his 100th birthday, Emmy award-winning television producer Norman Lear said the secret to his long life has been laughter. On Wednesday, CBS News chief ...

"I think love and laughter are it! I remind myself how far we have come." "I couldn't emphasize that more.

Norman Lear, the legendary television writer and producer, turned 100 on Wednesday. The industry titan is known for being the king of the sitcom, ...

“The miracle of being alive with everything that’s available to us and me turning 100 tomorrow,” Lear said in the video. “I think love and laughter are it!” Lear noted. “Can never thank you enough.” “In Vermont, celebrating with his family, my other father figure, Norman Lear turns 100. When something is over, it is over and we are on to next,” Lear said. “To be honest, I’m a bit worried that I may be in better shape than our democracy is.” “Those encounters renew my belief that Americans will find ways to build solidarity on behalf of our values, our country and our fragile planet.” My father [Carl Reiner], who passed away 2 years ago, is being honored at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY,” Reiner tweeted. We love you Norman.” “You know, two little words we don’t pay enough attention to — over and next. As I talk about it, I accept it as a gift.” I was born that way, and it is a great gift.

Iconic TV producer Norman Lear turned 100 and received moving birthday tributes from celebs such as Jimmy Kimmel, Wanda Sykes and Rob Reiner.

Isabella Gomez, who starred on the recent remake of One Day at a Time, also commented on Lear's Instagram post. Thank you Norman : )" Even a few of Lear's other recent collaborators, joined in on the celebrations. And Michael McKean, who starred in the famed mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, which Lear was instrumental in getting made, tweeted, "Norman Lear, ladies & gents. The Emmy-winning comedy writer and producer, known for launching hit '70s sitcoms such as All in the Family, Maude, One Day at a Time, Good Times and The Jeffersons, celebrated his 100th birthday on July 27. My father, who passed away 2 years ago, is being honored at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY. In Vermont, celebrating with his family, my other father figure, Norman Lear turns 100.