All in the Family producer Norman Lear's cause of death revealed two weeks after his demise

Norman Lear, the writer, director and producer who revolutionised prime-time television with such topical hits as All in the Family and Maude, died on December 6. He passed away at 101. Almost two weeks after his demise, the cause of his death has been determined.

Norman Lear's cause of death revealed

Norman Lear's death certificate, obtained by PEOPLE and first reported by TMZ, revealed that he succumbed to cardiopulmonary arrest. Congestive heart failure was listed as an underlying cause. The iconic figure's reps confirmed his passing on December 6, one day before the public announcement.

About Normal Lear

Lear died Tuesday night in his sleep, surrounded by family at his home in Los Angeles, said Lara Bergthold, a spokesperson for his family.

A liberal activist with an eye for mainstream entertainment, Lear fashioned bold and controversial comedies that were embraced by TV sitcom viewers who long had to watch the evening news to find out what was going on in the world. His shows helped define prime-time comedy in the 1970s and after, launched the careers of such young performers as Rob Reiner and Valerie Bertinelli and made Carroll O'Connor, Bea Arthur and Redd Foxx among others into middle-aged superstars.

His signature production was “All in the Family,” which was immersed in the headlines of the day, while also drawing upon Lear's childhood memories of his tempestuous father. Racism, feminism, and the Vietnam War were flashpoints in the sitcom featuring blue collar conservative Archie Bunker, played by O'Connor, and liberal son-in-law Mike Stivic (Reiner). Jean Stapleton co-starred as Archie’s befuddled, but good-hearted wife, Edith, and Sally Struthers played the Bunkers' daughter, Gloria, who often clashed with Archie on behalf of her husband.

(Inputs from AP)