Norman Lear's Death Certificate Sheds New Light on His Passing

Norman Lear, winner of the Carol Burnett Award, speaks during the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards broadcast on Feb. 28, 2021.

Two weeks after Norman Lear died at age 101, new details have shed new light on his passing.

On Monday, Dec. 18, a document obtained by TMZ revealed Lear's official cause of death, according to his death certificate: cardiac arrest. Congestive heart failure was also listed as an underlying cause of death.

The All in the Family creator died in his Beverly Hills home on Dec. 5 from natural causes, his publicist said at the time. His death certificate confirmed this date.

Lear's career began in the 1950s after he and Ed Simmons paired up to write sketches for the variety show The Colgate Comedy Hour for the comedy duo Martin and Lewis.

In 1959, he created the TV series, The Deputy, which starred Henry Fonda. Lear wrote and produced several films starting in the 1960s, such as Come Blow Your Horn and Divorce American Style, the latter of which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

In the 1970s, Lear created and produced All in the Family, which won a staggering 22 Emmys. He followed that up with a series of sitcoms, including Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, and One Day at a Time.

So, it's no wonder countless celebrities paid tribute to the TV legend upon news of his passing. Friends alum Jennifer Aniston wrote on Instagram at the time, "His shows shaped my childhood and getting to know him was one of my greatest honors. He made such a difference. A huge impact on television and humanity. He was able to tackle and discuss heated political conversations during difficult and charged times and we were able to laugh and learn. I yearn for those days. When creativity was a learning tool and could inspire people to maybe think just a little bit differently. And of course to laugh. Our greatest source of healing."

Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis shared online, "A great human being has gone. Norman Lear died very ALIVE! Working and wondering till the end how he could add to the experience of art, family and democracy."

Rob Reiner, who first gained fame for his performance in Lear's sitcom All in the Family in the 1970s, eloquently said, "I loved Norman Lear with all my heart. He was my second father. Sending my love to Lyn and the whole Lear family."

Lear is survived by his wife, producer Lyn Davis; their three children, Benjamin, Madeline and Brianna; his daughter, Ellen, whom he shared with his first wife, Charlotte Rossen; his two daughters, Maggie and Kate, whom he shared with his second wife, Frances Loeb; and six grandchildren.

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(This article has been updated to reflect new edits.)