‘He was so proud of the work’: Lyn Lear remembers late husband Norman Lear’s legacy at Sentinel Awards

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Lyn Lear, wife of the late TV legend Norman Lear, paid a heartfelt tribute to him at the 2023 Sentinel Awards on Wednesday, December 6, a day after he died aged 101.

Lyn Lear’s statement was read by Marty Kaplan, the program director of the Norman Lear Center as Lyn praised her husband’s remarkable life and legacy.

Norman Lear's wife breaks silence after legendary producer's death at 101

“I would have been there tonight if not for the passing of our beloved Norman,” she said as reported by People. 

“He was so proud of the work of The Lear Center and Hollywood Health and Society,” she said. “And he would not have wanted all of us to mourn. He would want us to celebrate the important shows you are honoring tonight, and most of all … he would want us to laugh," she added.

TV icon Norman Lear was honored throughout the night

The Sentinel Awards, presented by the Hollywood, Health & Society at the Norman Lear Center, honored the TV icon Norman Lear throughout the night.

The host of the event was Larry Wilmore, the Emmy-winning producer, comedian, and writer at the 'Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills.'

“Norman knew how to make an exit. He knew his audience. And wanted us to make sure we were all listening,” Wilmore said.

He added, “We have lost a giant and we’re going to do him proud. This evening meant a lot to Norman because he believed television can reflect our best."

"That’s why the Sentinel Awards were created — to honor television’s best and brightest writing," he added.

Norman Lear’s legacy: 'He was everything I imagined' 

Kate Folb, the program director of Hollywood, Health & Society, said, “They say never to meet your heroes because you might be disappointed. Not so when I met Norman. He was everything I imagined and so much more. I feel so blessed to have been a very small part of his massive universe.”

Norman died of natural causes on Wednesday, December 6, according to his team. He created 'All in the Family' which tackled social and political issues that were controversial at the time.

He also created other popular shows such as 'Maude', 'Good Times', 'Sanford and Sons', and 'Fernwood 2Night.'

Kaplan honored the 'All in the Family' creator with his own statement. "Norman's shows moved our hearts and minds to embrace our common humanity and live up to what's best in us. Doing that is why these winning writers are being honored,” he said.