Jimmy Kimmel tears up about Norman Lear death in TV monologue

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel got emotional during his show Wednesday while paying tribute to Norman Lear, who died hours earlier at the age of 101.

“Last night at around 7 p.m., we lost not only a giant in the world of television, but a great man who was one of the most important and impressive people I ever had the pleasure of meeting,” Kimmel, 56, said to an empty studio audience.

“Norman was the genius who brought us some of the greatest television shows and characters of all time,” Kimmel continued, before listing off several of Lear’s iconic series including “All in the Family,” “Maude,” “Good Times,” The Facts of Life” and several others.

“It’s an incredible list and he was an incredible person,” the comedian said while tearing up.

According to Kimmel, the Emerson College alum “changed situation comedy in the best possible way.”

“He taught us so much about so many serious things, always making us laugh while he did it, and everyone who works in or even watches television owes him a great debt. Especially me,” Kimmel stated as a slideshow featuring pictures of the duo played in the background.

“I was fortunate enough to work with Norman on several projects over the last five years, including live revivals of some of his greatest shows, and I loved him dearly. He was so funny.”

Kimmel went on to reveal that he and his wife, Molly McNearney, jokingly sent Lear a shirt that read “Norman f–king Lear” for the holidays in 2022.

Lear “loved it” and sent the couple a thank you letter, which Kimmel read on Wednesday.

“Dear Molly and Jimmy, I can’t f—ing believe this f—ing sweatshirt,” Kimmel read. “It’s something I’ve always wanted more than I can f—ing tell.”

“You guys are the f—ing best and I wish you the dearest, sweetest, greatest f—ing holiday season in the history of holiday f—ing seasons. Signed Norman F. Lear.”

Kimmel noted that Lear’s actual middle name was Milton.

“Norman was 100 when he wrote that. He died last night at 101. 101 years and somehow, it wasn’t enough. He leaves behind his wife Lyn, a beautiful family, and a legacy that won’t ever be matched,” Kimmel said. “It would be impossible. We were all lucky to have him. I hope we never forget him, or the many the lessons he taught us.”

“One of the many, many sweets things about Norman was he never said goodbye,” Kimmel concluded. “He’d say, ‘To be continued,’ and ‘over and next.’ And so that’s how we’ll leave it. To be continued, over and next.”

The television icon passed away on Tuesday at his Los Angeles home due to natural causes.

Prior to his show, Kimmel said that Lear “used situation comedy to shine a light on prejudice, intolerance and inequality.”

“He created families that mirrored ours, showing us a world in which Archie Bunker and Michael Stivic could learn to not only co-exist, but to love one another,” he wrote via Instagram. “Even at 101, Norman cared as much about the future, our children, and planet as anyone I have ever known.”