Norman Lear’s cause of death has been determined.
Nearly two weeks after the award-winning American television writer, film producer and activist died at the age of 101, a death certificate obtained by TMZ indicates that Lear died of cardiopulmonary arrest.
The death certificate also listed congestive heart failure as the underlying cause of death.
Norman Lear, the prolific TV writer and producer who created Everyone in the familyDied at 101
Norman Lear. Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage Norman Lear celebrated one of his ‘happiest and most precious decisions’ in a final Instagram post before his death
Lear’s death was confirmed by his representatives on December 6. In a press release, his representatives said that the Hollywood icon died a day earlier, on Tuesday, December 5, at his home in Los Angeles.
The news was also confirmed on Lear’s official Instagram account with a black and white photo of the smiling television legend. In a statement, Lear’s team said he died “surrounded by his family as we told stories and sang songs until the very end.”
“Norman lived a life full of awe of the world around him. He admired his cup of coffee every morning, the shape of the tree outside his window and the sounds of beautiful music. But it was the people—those he had just met and those he had known for decades—that kept him his mind and heart forever young,” read the headline. “As we celebrate his legacy and consider the next chapter of life without him, we’d like to thank everyone for all the love and support.”
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Lear’s television legacy included creating Everyone in the family, which took up social and political issues that were considered controversial at the time. Lear’s other notable shows include Maude, Good times, Sanford and Son and Fernwood 2 night.
Following his death, Lear’s wife Lyn Lear paid tribute to her late husband at the 2023 Sentinel Awards, where he was honored. Lyn, 76, did not attend the event but sent a statement that was read by Marty Kaplan, founding director of the Norman Lear Center.
“I would be there tonight if our beloved Norman had not passed away,” she said. “He was so proud of the work of the Lear Center and the Hollywood Health and Society. And he wouldn’t want us all to grieve. He would want us to celebrate the important plays you are honoring tonight, and most of all … he would want us to laugh.”
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The Hollywood community also paid tribute to the late producer, with tributes pouring in from the stars Everyone in the family actor Rob Reiner, Jane Fonda, George Clooney, who starred in Lear Facts of lifeand Jesse Williams.
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In lieu of flowers or gifts, Lear’s representatives say he asked for contributions to People For the American Way.
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Source: HIS Education