Jimmy Kimmel Gets Teary Remembering ‘Genius’ Norman Lear in Emotional Tribute: ‘I Loved Him Dearly’

Jimmy Kimmel mourned the loss of his friend and collaborator Norman Lear on Wednesday, a day after the Hollywood icon died at the age of 101.

The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host kicked off his long-running ABC late-night show with an emotional tribute to the empty studio, recalling the legendary TV writer, film producer and activist as a “genius” before sharing a hilarious letter he received from one of them.

“Last night around 7 p.m. we lost not only a giant in the world of television, but a great man who was one of the most important and impressive people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting,” Kimmel, 56, began.

“Norman was a genius who brought us some of the greatest television shows and characters of all time,” he said, before listing some of the shows Lear created, including Everyone in the family, Maude, good times,Facts of Life, Diff’Rent Strokes, Sanford and Son, Day by day and The Jeffersons (among others). “It’s an amazing list, and he was an amazing person.”

The comedian continued: “He changed the comedy of the situation in the best possible way. He taught us so much about so many serious things, he always made us laugh while he was doing it, and everyone who works or even watches television owes a lot to him. Especially me.”

Norman Lear’s career in photographs

Photos of the pair together then flashed on screen as Kimmel explained: “I’ve been lucky enough to work with Norman on several projects over the last five years, including reviving some of his greatest live performances, and I loved him very much. He was so funny.”

The star then revealed that over the 2021 holidays, he and his wife Molly McNearney had sent Lear a shirt with “Norman F-ing Lear” emblazoned across the front.

“And he loved it,” Kimmel said, before sharing a thank-you note Lear sent the couple in return.

Norman Lear and Jimmy Kimmel.

Eric McCandless via Getty

Rob Reiner, George Clooney, Tyler Perry and more pay tribute to Norman Lear after his death: ‘We lost a Titan’

“Dear Molly and Jimmy, I can’t believe this freaking shirt. It’s something I’ve always wanted more than I can fucking say,” he said. “You guys are the fucking best and I wish you the sweetest, sweetest, best fucking holidays in the history of holiday fucking seasons. Signed by Norman F. Lear.”

“His middle name was Milton so…” Kimmel smiled as he started to cry. “Norman was 100 years old when he wrote it. He died last night at 101. 101 years old and somehow, that wasn’t enough. He leaves behind his wife Lyn, a beautiful family and a legacy that will never be matched. It would be impossible. We were all happy to have him. I hope we never forget him, nor the many lessons he taught us.”

Kimmel concluded his tribute by revealing that “one of the many, many sweet things about Norman is that he never said goodbye. “He would say, ‘It will continue,’ and ‘again and next.’ And we’ll leave it at that. The sequel follows, again and the next.”

Norman Lear.

Eric McCandless via Getty

Kimmel also paid tribute to Lear in a statement to PEOPLE. It read in part: “Obviously it’s foolish to want more time with someone who has outlived a century, but the loss of Norman Lear, even at 101, seems unfair. His unparalleled courage, integrity and moral compass were matched by his kindness, empathy and wit.”

The Hollywood icon died Dec. 5 at his home in Los Angeles of natural causes, according to a statement from his representatives.

The news of his death was also confirmed on Lear’s Instagram account with a black and white photo of him smiling. In a statement, Lear’s team said he died “surrounded by his family as we told stories and sang songs until the very end.”

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Norman Lear.

Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty

Kimmel wasn’t the only famous face to remember Lear after his death.

Everyone in the family star Rob Reiner shared a touching message on Xu (formerly known as Twitter) in which he called Lear his “second father.”

“I loved Norman Lear with all my heart. He was my second father. I send my love to Lyn and the entire Lear family,” 76-year-old Reiner wrote.

Meanwhile, George Clooney, who starred in Lear Facts of lifesaid in a statement to PEOPLE, “It’s hard to come to terms with Norman Lear’s untimely passing at the age of 101. The whole world of reason has just lost its greatest advocate, and our family has lost a dear friend. A giant walked in his shoes.”

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Source: HIS Education