Bud Yorkin, a producer and director who joined forces with Norman Lear to create some of the most influential and memorable television shows of the 1970s including "All in the Family," died of natural causes on Tuesday at his residence in Bel Air, Los Angeles at the age of 89, The New York Times reported.
"Yorkin directed and co-produced many of the most innovative hit sitcoms of the 1970s, shows that broke new ground by interjecting topical, real-world elements of class, race, politics and social change as well as previously unseen settings into comic situations," his spokesman said, according to Reuters.
Yorkin was best known for developing the pioneering and provocative show "All in the Family," which became an unexpected hit among American viewers with its unvarnished take on race, women's rights and other social issues, according to the Associated Press.
Born in Pennsylvania in 1926, Yorkin served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and earned a degree in electrical engineering from Carnegie Mellon.
Yorkin, who has six Emmy Awards, a Peabody, a Sylvania and a Director's Guild Award under his belt, discovered his talent for writing and directing comedy during his time in the military. He was hired as a director by NBC in the 1950s, during which he directed the hit series "Dinah Shore Show."
In 1957, he wrote, directed and produced "An Evening With Fred Astaire," which won 9 Emmys for Best Writing, Best Direction and Best Musical Special.
Yorkin's other television credits include "The Jeffersons" and the popular teen comedy "What's Happening."
Yorkin is survived by his wife Cynthia, sons David and Michael, daughters Nicole and Jessica, and four grandchildren.
