Lear’s reps previously confirmed to PEOPLE that the Hollywood icon died on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at his home in Los Angeles
Norman Lear’s cause of death has been determined.
Nearly two weeks after the award-winning American television writer, film producer and activist died at age 101, a death certificate obtained by TMZ indicates that Lear died from cardiopulmonary arrest.
The death certificate also listed congestive heart failure as an underlying cause of death.
Lear’s death was confirmed by his replies on Dec. 6. In a news release, his reps said the Hollywood icon died one day earlier, on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at his home in Los Angeles.
The news was also confirmed on Lear’s official Instagram account beside a black-and-white photo of the television legend smiling. In the post, Lear’s team said he died “surrounded by his family as we told stories and sang songs until the very end.”
“Norman lived a life in awe of the world around him. He marveled at his cup of coffee every morning, the shape of the tree outside his window, and the sounds of beautiful music. But it was people—those he just met and those he knew for decades—who kept his mind and heart forever young,” the caption reads. “As we celebrate his legacy and reflect on the next chapter of life without him, we would like to thank everyone for all the love and support.”
Lear’s television legacies included the creation of All in the Family, which broached social and political issues considered controversial at the time. Lear’s other notable shows include Maude, Good Times, Sanford and Son and Fernwood 2 Night.
In the wake of his death, Lear’s wife Lyn Lear paid tribute to her late husband at the 2023 Sentinel Awards, where he was honored. Lyn, 76, did not attend the event but sent a statement to be read by Marty Kaplan, the founding director of the Norman Lear Center.
“I would have been there tonight if not for the passing of our beloved Norman,” she said. “He was so proud of the work of The Lear Center and Hollywood Health and Society. And he wouldn’t have wanted all of us to mourn. He would want us to celebrate the important shows you are honoring tonight, and most of all … he would want us to laugh.”
The Hollywood community also honored the late producer, with tributes pouring in from stars including All in the Family actor Rob Reiner, Jane Fonda, George Clooney, who starred in Lear’s The Facts of Life, and Jesse Williams.
