Norman Lear To Receive Carol Burnett Award At Golden Globes

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Television producer Norman Lear, who was behind revolutionary shows like "The Jeffersons," "Sanford and Son," and "All in the Family," will be awarded the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Carol Burnett Award. The award honors a person "who has made outstanding contributions to the television medium on or off the screen," and is the television equivalent of the HFPA's Cecil B. DeMille Award.

Lear, who is 98 years old, will receive the award during February 28's Golden Globe ceremony. Jane Fonda will receive the Cecil B. Demille award during the ceremony, it was announced Tuesday.

"Norman Lear is among the most prolific creators of this generation," HFPA President Ali Sar said in a statement. "His career has spanned the Golden Age and the streaming era. His progressive approach addressing controversial topics through humor prompted a cultural shift that allowed social and political issues to be reflected in television. His work revolutionized the industry and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is honored to name him as the 2021 Carol Burnett Award recipient."

Lear will be the third recipient of the award. Carol Burnett received the award in its first year, while Ellen DeGeneres received it last year.

An Air Force veteran, Lear began his television career in the early 1950s, writing for the "Colgate Comedy Hour" and "The Martin and Lewis Show." He is also a six-time Emmy winner, with the most recent two trophies coming from live revivals of "All in the Family," Good Times and "The Jeffersons."

City News Service contributed to this report.