Who is Norman Lear? Jimmy Kimmel shares photo with veteran producer in his first social media post as he returns to ABC

Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night television on Tuesday (September 23, 2025) after a nearly weeklong suspension over his comments on conservative activist and close ally of US President Donald Trump, Charlie Kirk. Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.

As the late-night host geared up for his return to the air Tuesday night, he made a post on Instagram on September 23, 2025. It was his first post since his show “Jimmy Kimmel Live” was suspended. In his Instagram post, Kimmel shared a photo of himself with legendary television writer and producer Norman Lear along with the caption, "Missing this guy today."

Who is Norman Lear

Born in 1922, Norman Lear was a writer and producer who was best known for iconic 1970s sitcoms "All in the Family," "One Day at a Time," "The Jeffersons," and "Good Times," according to IMDb. Lear died in 2023 at age 101. He enjoyed a long career in television and film, political and social activism, and philanthropy.

Lear died on December 5, 2023. The TV creator was 101. He married three times and was a father to six children—Ellen, Kate, Maggie, Benjamin, Brianna, and Madelaine—and four grandchildren, according to PEOPLE. Lear had a net worth of $200 million at the time of his death, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

The writer and producer had kids from three marriages: he shares daughter Ellen with ex-wife Charlotte Rosen; daughters Kate and Maggie with ex Frances Lear (née Loeb); and son Benjamin and daughters Brianna and Madelaine with his third wife, Lyn Lear, whom he married in 1987.

According to USA Today, he was outspoken about his liberal political beliefs during his life. During the 1970s, he fought the Federal Communications Commission in protest of a policy that TV programming before 9 PM should be family-friendly. Lear and others argued the policy was a violation of the First Amendment.

Lear founded the progressive advocacy organization People for the American Way in 1981 "to counter the divisive rhetoric and authoritarian agenda being spread by leaders of the emerging religious right political movement," according to the group. In a 2016 speech at the International Documentary Association awards, Lear stressed the importance of the First Amendment.

President Donald Trump "does not seem to understand, much less cherish, the Constitution," Lear said at the time, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He further stated that if Trump "in any way threatens" free speech, it's important to "hunker down together and fight."