Lyn Davis Lear is a social and political activist engaged with the most pressing global issues. Lear's liberal-minded sitcoms held up a mirror to American society, using comedy to tackle thorny issues of race and class while entertaining millions of viewers. Editor's Note: The landscape of American entertainment would look very different without the work of Norman Lear, who wrote, produced, created or developed some of the most popular and provocative shows of all time, including All in the Family, The Jeffersons and Sanford and Son.