For many in Hollywood, from movie stars and directors to screenwriters and network executives, Norman Lear was a creative force, an inspiration and, crucially, a dear friend. With revolutionary programs like All in the Family, Maude, The Jeffersons, Good Times and more, he brought contemporary realities into America’s living room and reinvented the medium of television.
Throughout his life, Lear strove to represent the truth of contemporary culture. This extended to the exceptional collection of art he built alongside his wife, Lyn Davis Lear.
This May, their collection will be offered at Christie’s in New York as part of the 20th and 21st Century marquee week. Ahead of the sales, some of Lear’s biggest fans — who were also friends, colleagues and mentees — look back on his contributions to American entertainment and the many ways his legacy endures.
Billy Crystal, actor, writer, director and comedian
‘I met Norman for the first time in 1975 at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles. It was early in my standup career and this was my first trip to Los Angeles. I was living on Long Island, substitute teaching during the day and trying to be a comedian at night. I did a set and it went very well. Afterwards, I was outside when Mr. Lear came out along with Carl Reiner to say hello. I was overwhelmed. We talked for a few minutes, they both said some lovely things and I didn’t need a plane to fly home.
‘A few days later, as I was feeding my 2-year-old daughter, the phone rang. I answered and a woman asked if it was me, and said, “Hold on for Norman Lear.” “Hello, this is Norman Lear, we met at the comedy store,” he said, as if I wouldn’t know him. “There’s a part on All in the Family coming up next week. You’d play Mike’s best friend, and I think you’d be terrific with Rob [Reiner]. Can you get out here?” He tracked me down and called me at home! There were tons of actors who could have played that part in LA, but he had a feeling about me. It still makes me so emotional.
‘At the first rehearsal, as I was meeting Rob and Sally [Struthers] and the rest of the cast for that episode, Norman stressed how inclusive the process is: if you have any ideas, don’t hesitate. At that moment, I knew firsthand what an amazing producer he was, how he loved the input of others to help make the end product as good as it could be. I was a total newcomer, yet he and Rob and the writers were open to suggestions.
‘Lear’s shows weren’t merely hilarious. Never silly, never pandering, they were honest and pointed, and they were accepted because they were always clothed in the truth. He took on subjects that were real and never backed off.
‘I think his touch is still influencing the way shows are developed today. There’s almost a silent, What would Norman do?
‘What I’ll remember most though is his warmth and humour and intelligence and integrity. For all his genius and for all of his epic contributions to American culture, he always felt like a kind, funny, charming uncle to me.’
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