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'Bow down to the King': Tributes pour in as iconic TV writer Norman Lear celebrates 100th birthday

Lear has won five Emmy Awards, and two Peabody Awards and was among the first seven Television pioneers inducted into the Television Hall of Fame

Iconic TV producer and writer Norman Lear has achieved a lot of monumental feats in his career, but nothing has been as special as turning 100. Yes, the legendary personality is celebrating his 100th birthday and looks radiant as ever. Born on July 27, 1922, Lear has been one of the handful numbers of people who have managed to entertain generations of viewers throughout his career that spans over seven decades.

While sharing his feeling about turning 100, the actor shared a beautiful video on Instagram recently and noted how important it is to live in the moment and enjoy it. The writer-turned-producer is enjoying a lovely vacation in Vermont with his loved ones, including his daughter Kate, and recalled several memories of his work in Hollywood.

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In the video, Lear said, “I've been doing breakfast thoughts and I guess my breakfast thought at the moment... is the moment. Every person who is seeing me now -- some are seeing me within months of my saying this, others are likely to see this year after I've said this -- but whenever all of you are seeing it, that will be the moment you're seeing it, as this is the moment I'm saying it. And what that means to me is living in the moment. The moment between past and present, present and past, the moment between after and next.”

Meanwhile, in an interview with The Washington Post, Lear explained how people don’t pay much attention to words like “over” and “next”. He said, “There are two little words we don’t pay enough attention to: over and next. When something is over, it is over and we are on to the next. Between those words, we live in the moment, make the most of them.”

Lear began his career by joining the US Army in 1942 and flew 52 combat missions. However, after World War II, he changed his profession and started a career in Public Relations. It was in the 1950s that the iconic writer started writing comedy sketches for Martin and Lewis and others. Since then, he has written numerous projects that have gone on to become classics, including ‘All in the Family’, ‘Maude’, ‘Sanford and Son’, ‘One Day at a Time’, ‘The Jeffersons’, and ‘Good Times’. He has won five Emmy Awards, and two Peabody Awards and was among the first seven Television pioneers inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.

So, it doesn’t come as a shock when people who have known him or worked with him refer to him as ‘King Lear’. Several celebrities took to social media and wished Lear on his 100th birthday, including Rob Reiner who called him a “guiding light”. He wrote, “I am overwhelmed by personal feelings today. My father, who passed away 2 years ago, is being honored at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY. In Vermont, celebrating with his family, my other father figure, Norman Lear turns 100. So grateful for these two guiding lights.”

Meanwhile, ‘A Mighty Wind’ and ‘Better Call Saul’ star Michael McKean celebrated Lear’s birthday by saying, “Norman Lear, ladies & gents. 100 years if he’s a day. Cheers!” On the other hand, Rhea Seehorn, who played Kim Wexler in ‘Better Call Saul’, called Lear a "legend" before wishing him on his special days. She tweeted, “Happiest of birthdays to the legend, Norman Lear!!!!!”

TV host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel also wished Lear on his special day and called him his “oldest friend”. He wrote, “Happy 100th birthday to (literally) my oldest friend @TheNormanLear. You are everything a man could hope to be and I am so lucky to know you. We demand another 100 years.”

Veteran singer-songwriter and four-time Grammy-winning artist Lionel Richie shared an endearing tribute on Twitter and said that his passion for “creating” was unparalleled. He added, “Legendary is only the beginning of how I would describe Norman Lear. Today we celebrate your kindness, the joy you have brought millions, and your passion for creating. They don’t make ‘em like you anymore. Happy 100th birthday to my dear friend.”

Meanwhile, actress Kim Fields “bowed down” to King Lear and wished him a happy birthday. Fields was a part of ‘The Fact of Life’, a show that was produced by Lear and made Fields a star. “BOW DOWN TO KING LEAR ON HIS 100th BIRTHDAY!! Sir, you are STILL creating & making moves! We are here for all of it! All my love, hugs & kisses (and Mom’s too!) to our dear amazing iconic legend Mr. Norman Lear on this glorious birthday!!” wrote Fields.

Apart from his industry colleagues and friends, a lot of social media users wished him on his birthday and expressed their gratitude for everything that he has done for them over the years. One of the fans wrote, “America: Let's send a wonderous- Thank You! To Sir, Norman Lear. Thanks, for ANTF, Archie Bunker's Place, The Jefferson's, Maude, Good Times, Sanford & Son, and TFOL. Happy 100th. So proud of you. Good well to you sir.”

Another fan tweeted, “Sitcoms are my religion, so I can't let today pass without saying happy 100th birthday to Norman Lear.” Another fan said, “'All in the Family', 'Good Times', 'Sanford & Son', 'Jefferson's', 'One Day at a Time'. All Norman Lear shows. The Genius turned 100 years old today. Happy Birthday Norman Lear. The pleasure's been all ours. Thank you.”

Meanwhile, ABC has given the producer a nice gift by announcing a two-hour special in September, titled ‘Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter’, that will celebrate Lear’s life and career. It will also feature a lot of celebrity guests and musical performances, according to Deadline.

Happiest Birthday, Norman Lear. Keep on rocking, old man.