Norman Lear Pays Touching Tribute To Carol Burnett As He Receives Award Named After Her At Golden Globes

On Sunday night, the legendary television writer and producer Norman Lear, 98, was given the Carol Burnett Award during the Golden Globes ceremony. 

In his speech, he made sure to pay tribute to the iconic Carol Burnett herself.

Lear Praises Carol Burnett In Acceptance Speech

Lear began by giving a shoutout to Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, who were hosting the show.

Take a look:

“Hello and good evening everyone, thank you for this wonderful night,” Lear said. “It knocks me out to be introduced by Amy Poehler and Tina Fey.”

After saying that he “could not feel more blessed,” Lear praised Burnett, 87, saying that “nobody has made me laugh harder.”

Related: Carol Burnett Reveals Why She Fired Harvey Korman From ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ In Season 7

Lear Offers More Words Of Praise To Burnett

Lear went on to thank some off the many people he’s worked with over his decades in show business.

He then added, “then of course, there’s my family: Lyn Davis Lear, five glorious daughters and my wonderful son, ranging in ages from 26 to 74,” as well as “my four fabulous grandchildren.”

“At close to 99, I can tell you that I’ve never lived alone, I’ve never laughed alone and that has as much to do with my being here today as anything else I know,” Lear concluded. “And once more, thank you and bless you Carol Burnett for everything you have meant to me by way of joy, surprise, delight and laughter. So glad we had this time together.”

People Magazine reported that the Carol Burnett Award is handed out each year “to an honoree who has made outstanding contributions to the television medium on or off the screen.”

Related: ‘All In The Family’s’ Norman Lear And Sally Struthers Celebrate A Big Anniversary By Reminiscing

Lear Is A True Legend

Ali Sar, president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, previously released a statement saying that Lear is “among the most prolific creators of this generation.”

“His career has encompassed both the Golden Age and Streaming Era, throughout which his progressive approach addressing controversial topics through humor prompted a cultural shift that allowed social and political issues to be reflected in television,” Sar said. “His work revolutionized the industry and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is honored to name him as the 2021 Carol Burnett Award recipient.”

Lear is a World War II veteran who is known for creating such iconic comedy series as comedy series such as “All in the Family,” “The Jeffersons” and “Good Times.”

Over the course of his career, he has won six Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, two Writers Guild of America Awards, and a GLAAD Media Pioneer Award. He’s also gotten an Oscar nomination, and many more honors as well. 

Norman Lear is the third person to receive this relatively new award. The first one was given to Carol Burnett in 2019 when the award was conceived and to Ellen DeGeneres in 2020.

Congratulations Mr. Lear on winning the Carol Burnett Award!