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

'He would not have wanted all of us to mourn. He would want us to celebrate the important shows you are honoring tonight,' Lyn Lear said
PUBLISHED DEC 7, 2023
Norman Lear's wife Lyn Lear breaks silence after legend's death at 101 (Getty Images)
Norman Lear's wife Lyn Lear breaks silence after legend's death at 101 (Getty Images)

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. 

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 10: Norman Lear in the Heineken Green Room at Vulture Festival Pres
Norman Lear's wife said legend was proud of his work (Getty Images)

“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.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 12:  Larry Wilmore attends
The host of the event was Larry Wilmore, the Emmy-winning producer, comedian, and writer, at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills (Getty Images)

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.

MORE STORIES

The post Khloe Kardashian liked featured Charlie Kirk speaking with a fan at an event about his devout Christian faith
Sep 13, 2025
Whitney Cummings sparked widespread outrage after posting a controversial tweet about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
Sep 13, 2025
Prince Harry was spotted entering King Charles’s London residence, months after saying his father had ignored his calls
Sep 11, 2025
Rosie O'Donnell said Ellen DeGeneres’ friendship denial hurt so much she printed T-shirts for her staff reading, 'I don’t know Rosie, we’re not friends'
Sep 10, 2025
A post alleged that Karoline Leavitt called Patti LaBelle 'just a singer,' leading LaBelle to deliver a seven-word response that froze the studio
Sep 10, 2025
Jennifer Lopez feels free channeling emotions into music, but Ben Affleck is embarrassed and sees it as crossing a line, according to the source
Sep 9, 2025
Howard Stern added that he missed last week’s show due to illness, not contract talks, and addressed rumors of being fired from his own show
Sep 9, 2025
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement in August 2025 triggered a wave of pregnancy chatter after an ultrasound photo went viral
Sep 9, 2025
Ed Sheeran, 34, revealed that he was leaving Suffolk with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters, Lyra and Jupiter
Sep 9, 2025
From Ice Spice’s chaotic corset to Paris Hilton’s flame dress, see the celebs who landed on the worst-dressed list at the 2025 VMAs
Sep 8, 2025