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Norman Lear, producer of TV’s ‘All in the Family’ and influential liberal advocate, has died

Lear, the writer, director, and producer who revolutionized prime-time television with such topical hits as “All in the Family” and “Maude” and propelled political and social turmoil into the once-insulated world of sitcoms, has died.

Norman Lear, producer of TV’s ‘All in the Family’ and influential liberal advocate, has died
Lear, the writer, director, and producer who revolutionized prime-time television with such topical hits as “All in the Family” and “Maude” and propelled political and social turmoil into the once-insulated world of sitcoms, has died.

Robert Precht, producer of ‘The Ed Sullivan Show,’ dies at 93
He helped book performers for the influential variety show extravaganza, including the Beatles, comedians, jugglers, animal acts, and puppeteers.

John Nichols, author of ‘The Milagro Beanfield War,’ dies at 83

Mr. Nichols, a New York City transplant to New Mexico whose exuberant novels transformed him from an urban gringo into a local idol, died Nov. 27 at his home in Taos.

Tim Dorsey, who turned Florida’s quirks into comic gold, dies at 62
Mr. Dorsey gave his books comic titles that reflected the blend of Jimmy Buffett and Raymond Chandler that filled their interiors, including “The Big Bamboo” (2006), “Tropic of Stupid” (2021), and, most recently, “The Maltese Iguana” (2023).

Abraham Bergman, doctor who sought answers on SIDS, dies at 91
A pediatrician, Dr. Abraham Bergman was instrumental in passing a federal law to combat sudden infant death syndrome, a once misunderstood loss that caused not just parental heartbreak but guilt and blame, and put his stamp on other enduring public health laws.

Elliott Erwitt, whose photos were famous, and often funny, dies at 95
Photographers with a comic outlook on life seldom win the acclaim granted to exalters of nature or chroniclers of war and squalor. Elliott Erwitt was an exception.

Retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, has died
Justice O’Connor was named to the nation's highest court by President Reagan in 1981, and her pivotal role was most apparent in death penalty and abortion cases.

Latest Headlines in Obituaries

Greek author Vassilis Vassilikos, whose political novel inspired award-winning film ‘Z,’ dies at 89

The best-known among the scores of books Vassilis Vassilikos wrote, “Z” was based on the murder of a left-leaning Greek member of Parliament by right-wingers in 1963.

Scott Kempner, guitarist and punk rock pioneer, dies at 69

Scott Kempner, a guitarist and songwriter and a co-founder of the Dictators, one of the first punk rock bands, died Wednesday. He was 69.

Julius Becton, Army general who led FEMA and D.C. schools, dies at 97

A three-star Army general, Julius W. Becton Jr. retired as one of the military's highest-ranking Black officers, then led the nation's disaster-relief agency and D.C. public schools.

Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan dies at age 65

Mr. MacGowan was the singer-songwriter and frontman of The Pogues, best known for their ballad “Fairytale of New York.”

Henry A. Kissinger, who dominated US foreign policy, dies at 100

For all of his accomplishments, Dr. Kissinger was one of the most controversial figures of the Cold War era and remained so into the 21st century.

Henry Kissinger, secretary of state under Presidents Nixon and Ford, dies at 100

Kissinger exerted uncommon influence on global affairs under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, earning both vilification and the Nobel Peace Prize. Decades later, his name still provoked impassioned debate over foreign policy landmarks long past.

Frances Sternhagen, Tony Award winner who was familiar face on TV, dies at 93

A long-tenured character actor, Frances Sternhagen won a Tony for best featured actress in a play in 1974 for her role in Neil Simon’s “The Good Doctor” and a second one in 1995 for a revival of “The Heiress.”

John Nichols, author of ‘The Milagro Beanfield War’ with a social justice streak, dies at 83

John Nichols won early recognition with the 1965 publication of his offbeat love story “The Sterile Cuckoo,” later made into a movie starring Liza Minnelli. He was best known for his populist novel, “The Milagro Beanfield War.”