The Simpson’s writer — Mike Reiss — recommended Norman’s Lear’s autobiography. And it’s excellent.
Norman Lear’s career is legendary: All in the Family; The Jeffersons; Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. Over 100 TV shows.
He collaborated with Rob Reiner on Stand By Me and The Princess Bride.
Surprisingly, the character Lear identifies closest with Maude.
Archie Bunker was based on Lear’s father.
Maude was a social activist, as was Lear.
Lear fought Nixon, Jerry Falwell and the Religious Right, the Tea Party.
Lear is a proud American buying a copy of the United States Declaration of Independence—for $8.1 million. Then touring it across the nation to celebrate Democracy.
The autobiography was published 2014 when Lear was age-92.
One of the first TV celebrities, Lear knew and hung-out with almost everybody. I enjoyed hearing the inside story of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, for example. Lewis was a jerk.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Rick McCharles 