Legendary TV producer Norman Lear died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The icon behind sitcoms like All in the Family, Maude, The Jeffersons, and his second big sitcom, Sanford And Son, is being remembered by fans and stars who have worked with him.
Demond Wilson, who had a guest role in All In The Family and played Lamont in Sanford And Son, appeared on Scripp News to speak about Lear’s life and his impact on ushering Black people into mainstream productions. “Norman was a pioneer as was myself and others of that era,” he said.
Norman Lear challenged social issues on TV
The news anchor noted that Lear’s shows were “watched by millions and in some cases feared by bigots.” “Shows that tackled our many social taboos; racism, interracial marriage, sexism— pioneering a medium in ways that few have done since then,” he said.
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Wilson joined the chat soon after recalling his reluctance to join All In The Family because he preferred to remain a theater actor. He was won over by the brilliant cast selection and Lear’s political stance. “He was visionary. After hearing the feed on his position politically, I was correct,” he said.
The ‘kiss’ scene
Wilson talked about the famous scene featuring Sammy Davis Jr. and Archie Bunker, where the former kissed the racist cab driver just in time for a photo. “How powerful was that moment,” Wilson was asked. “Not at all,” he answered. “It had a different meaning for me. I would not have done the show until I read the script.”
On the other hand, Lear considered the scene barrier-breaking during his lifetime, revealing that the kiss was unplanned. “It was Sammy’s idea…The writers and I were blown away,” he had said. Wilson also denied the notion that Lear “gave him a megaphone as a black actor” during such a heated era. “I had little contact with Norman in those days…so the only thing I can say is that his legacy will live on,” Wilson said. “There will never be another one but that era is over now.”