Lyn Lear Writing Book on Norman Lear’s Philosophy and Sayings As She Reflects on Her Late Husband’s Legacy (EXCLUSIVE)

As a passionate admirer of Lyn Lear and her extraordinary journey with the legendary Norman Lear, I find myself truly inspired by the profound impact she continues to make even after his passing. The way she honors his memory and keeps his spirit alive through her dedication to causes that matter most to him is nothing short of remarkable.


Lyn Lear cherishes what she calls a “Normanism” – a term for the many wise phrases, aphorisms, and insights attributed to the late television icon Norman Lear. To Lyn, one of her favorite Normanisms was when he would bid goodbye using the phrase, “To be continued…

She explains, “He would make them depart, as he yearned for their return. I appreciate the concept of persistence, evolution, and improvement – I believe that’s what he intended to convey with that phrase.

Lyn Lear is collecting all of Norman Lear’s most impactful quotes and life philosophies for a book she plans to release within the next year. According to her, Norman had previously written his memoirs (“Even This I Get to Experience” in 2014), but he also harbored the desire to write a book detailing his perspective on life. These thoughts of his were often encapsulated in distinctive phrases, which Lyn refers to as “Normanisms.” One example is “over, next,” meaning that when something ends, one must move forward to the next thing. There were numerous such expressions, and Lyn has recorded them all for this upcoming book.

She explains that her upcoming book will delve into her 40-year journey with Norman (they first met in 1984 and married in 1987), as well as his global influence. “Our connection was deeply rooted in spirituality and politics, particularly the fight for free speech,” she notes. “I’m attempting to weave this shared experience into a unique blend of memoir, autobiography, and biography about Norman. He was an exceptionally spiritual individual, deeply connected to his Jewish culture yet open to exploring various dimensions. He was truly a good man who made a positive impact on the world, always striving to give back. The book is still in progress, with an expected release within a year, but I aim to honor some of his legacy through this work.

Approximately a year has passed since Norman Lear passed away in December 2023 at the age of 101. Now, Lyn Lear is working diligently to preserve her husband’s legacy by staying involved with charities that held significant importance for him. This includes the Sentinel Awards, an annual ceremony honoring programs that showcase compelling narratives about important issues.

This year, Norman Lear (Lyn Lear) will deliver a speech at the Sentinel Awards, an event organized by Hollywood, Health & Society, a program associated with the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center. The ceremony, happening on October 24th at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, will be hosted by Laraine Newman, who is known for being one of the original cast members of “Saturday Night Live”.

She expresses her deep affection for The Lear Center and their work. She strongly believes that the Sentinel Awards are crucial. A frequent topic of conversation between her and Norman was how media impacts behavior and shapes people’s lives. Despite seeming trivial, she feels that this issue is significantly more vital today than it has ever been.

Reflecting on last year’s Sentinel Awards, I found myself deeply moved by the profound tribute paid to the late Norman Lear. His passing cast a poignant shadow over the event, transforming it into a heartfelt celebration of his life and legacy. As a fellow cinema enthusiast, I can attest that he was an extraordinary individual, admired not only for his creativity but for his genuine humanity.

2021 has been a rollercoaster ride for Lyn Lear, ever since her husband passed away. In quick succession, their daughter Madelaine tied the knot, followed by their son Ben’s wedding, and then he welcomed a new baby into his family. To top it all off, their daughter Brianna announced her engagement as well.

She remarks, “Things have been quite hectic, and it seems as though someone is orchestrating events from above due to the numerous occurrences.” She misses the personal touch and emotional connection one gets from an individual, yet life continues within our family and through the things he left behind. We’re finding it challenging, but we’re making every effort to cope.

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2024-10-17 18:49