Norman Lear celebrates 100th birthday by singing ‘That’s Amore’
Television producing legend Norman Lear rang in his 100th birthday Wednesday by singing Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore” and sharing a few bits of wisdom with his fans.
Lear — who was born on July 27, 1922, in New Haven, Connecticut — shared the video on Instagram, marveling at the powers of modern technology and how it was responsible for getting him to his 100th year, reports Deadline.
“My God, the miracle of being alive with everything that’s available to us,” said Lear, noting he was in Vermont.
“Me turning 100 tomorrow. Did you hear me? Tomorrow I turn 100. That’s as believable to me as today I’m 99.”
Lear revolutionized family television in the 1970s with shows such as “Good Times,” “Sanford and Son,” “One Day at a Time” and “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” by dealing with topics such as sexuality, mental health, abortion and drug use.
In recognition of his work, Lear has won six Emmy awards and is currently up for a 17 nomination with his show “Live in Front of a Studio Audience: ‘The Facts of Life’ and ‘Diff’rent Strokes.’ “
Lear was inducted into the Emmy Awards hall of fame in 1984.
“He’s 100 years old and still working hard — that says a lot about his drive and passion,” Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Tony Vinciquerra said to Variety.
“If you look at his body of work, some of his shows were controversial when they aired, but he pushed people to think differently about issues like race and bigotry when it was most needed. His vision and his ideas are always spot-on.”
Following “That’s Amore,” Lear then gave his fans some advice to live in the moment and treasure every second of life.
“Living in the moment,” he said. “The moment between past and present, present and past, the moment between after and next. The hammock in the middle of after and next. Treasure it. Use it — with love.”
On his birthday, ABC also announced that the network will air a two-hour special — “Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter” — to honor his life and legacy at 9 p.m. on Sept. 22. The show will feature a roster of celebrity guests, as well as musical performances, which will be revealed at a later date.
“Norman’s illustrious career is revered by so many, and we are honored to be celebrating his legacy with this special night of entertainment,” Craig Erwich, president of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment, said in a statement. “We have been lucky to work with Norman on a number of projects over the years, and it’s only fitting that his centennial birthday be marked by the biggest names in Hollywood raising a glass to toast, and perhaps gently roast, the television icon.”
