Amidst the news of Norman Lear’s passing at the remarkable age of 101, an outpouring of sympathy and support flooded in from all corners of the entertainment world. Countless Latino performers and advocates were among those expressing their admiration for the iconic TV creator, who had long been a devoted supporter of Latino actors, writers, and initiatives.
Prior to representation and inclusion becoming popular terms in the industry, Lear was already casting Latino and other actors of color on his successful shows in the 1970s.
According to comedian Paul Rodriguez, who portrayed Pablo on the ABC series, Norman watched my stand-up performance and then joined me for a meeting. He later expressed interest in visiting my family’s house, which I happily agreed to. During his visit, my mother kindly served him enchiladas and he gained inspiration for the show from our time together.
According to Rodriguez, Lear has been instrumental in promoting Latinos on television. “Norman was ahead of his time in recognizing the significance of Hispanics in the U.S. He personally played a crucial role in lifting me out of obscurity and anonymity, and he has had a profound impact on my family and career. I have deep admiration for him,” Rodriguez expressed.
Liz Torres, an established actor and singer, seized a fortunate opportunity when she met fellow “All in the Family” cast member Carroll O’Connor on “The Tonight Show,” resulting in her joining the show’s roster.
Initially, working with Norman Lear was quite daunting for Torres. However, he proved to be an incredibly charming and witty individual who was also quite generous. It was clear that he had experience collaborating with comedians in the past.
“Norman was truly a remarkable individual, for whom I am incredibly grateful,” Torres expressed.
A memory of acknowledgement
Lear’s impact on Latino performers was perhaps most notable in his involvement with the establishment of the Imagen Awards.
In 1983, Norman Lear connected with Helen Hernandez, an employee at his company. According to the president and founder of the Imagen Foundation, Lear expressed his concern about the underrepresentation of Latinos on television and shared a piece of advice: “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” He also encouraged them to establish an awards program, offering financial support and staff assistance.
After forty years, the Imagen Awards have become a longstanding Hollywood tradition for celebrating Latinos in both film and television. According to Hernandez, no other awards ceremony truly acknowledges our talent and community like the Imagen Awards does. While the Emmys and Oscars may overlook us, we are grateful to Norman Lear for creating a platform that showcases our contributions.
In his later years, Lear remained engaged in various Latino-focused ventures. Along with the critically acclaimed revival of “One Day at a Time,” featuring a Cuban American household, he also took on executive producer roles for “I Carry You With Me” (2020), a Mexican drama about two homosexual men, and the documentary “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It” (2021).
In addition to his involvement in television, Lear was a prominent progressive who co-founded People for the American Way in 1981. This advocacy organization focuses on promoting equal opportunity and social justice, and has launched various campaigns to protect immigrant communities and preserve voting rights, among other important issues for the Latino community.
Throughout six election cycles, the “Latinos Vote!” campaign by the group has broadcasted media advertisements in swing states where the Latino vote holds weight. As seen in the recent 2021 Georgia Senate runoff, People for the American Way aired Spanish-language TV ads backing Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.
Lear also served as a board member for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) during its formative years, a prominent national civil rights organization for Latinos.
The National Hispanic Media Coalition bestowed Lear with its Media Icon Award in 2017. Additionally, that same year, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute presented him with their inaugural Pioneer Award, highlighting his unwavering dedication to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the television industry.
According to Hernandez, of the Imagen Foundation, Norman Lear is truly genuine. He has instilled in me the belief that every individual’s voice holds significance and that even one person can have a significant impact. Lear has consistently stood for what is just and fair. It is crucial for others to recognize and appreciate the invaluable contribution he has made to our society.