PGA to Honor Chuck Lorre with 2014 Norman Lear Achievement Award

The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced today that prolific producer Chuck Lorre will be honored with the 2014 Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television. The award will be presented to Lorre at the 25th Annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony on Sunday, January 19, 2014 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

Chuck Lorre said, "Norman Lear is a legend in this business and one of comedy's true kings. I have to admit that I've been tongue-tied and starstruck just standing in the same room with him. Needless to say, Being associated with his artistry, much less to be honored in his name, is both humbling and inspiring - and more than a little embarrassing. I'm deeply grateful to the Producers Guild for acknowledging my work in this extraordinary fashion."

"Chuck Lorre has produced some of the most iconic television shows of our time, including 'Dharma & Greg,' 'The Big Bang Theory' and 'Two and a Half Men,' just to mention a few. These series have impacted television on a level that we rarely see," said PGA Awards Co-Chairs Lori McCreary (INVICTUS, "Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman") and Michael De Luca (CAPTAIN PHILLIPS, THE SOCIAL NETWORK). "In a TV landscape that often feels saturated with homogenized, interchangeable series, his distinctive voice and commitment to vivid, one-of-a-kind characters have made him one of the true mainstays of our weekly television schedule. Lorre is the definition of an iconic comedy producer and we are so pleased to honor him this year with the Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television."

The 2013 recipient of the Norman Lear Award was J.J. Abrams. Previous recipients include Don Mischer, Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Dick Wolf, Jerry Bruckheimer, John Wells, Lorne Michaels, Bud Yorkin, Carsey-Werner-Mandabach, David L. Wolper, Don Hewitt, Garry K. Marshall, Aaron Spelling, Steven Bochco, David E. Kelley, Mark Burnett and Norman Lear.

About Chuck Lorre

One of the most accomplished comedy writer/producers of the past 20 years, Chuck Lorre co-created/executive produces TV's #1 entertainment series among Adults 18-49/#1 comedy among Total Viewers in The Big Bang Theory, as well as the long-running hit Two and a Half Men and new comedy Mom. He also serves as executive producer of Mike & Molly. Previously, Lorre created hits such as Dharma & Greg, Grace Under Fire and Cybill, and served as co-executive producer on Roseanne. He has become known for expressing his thoughts and views through personal messages in the split-second vanity cards which appear at the end of his shows. Selected cards were compiled into the 2012 book What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Bitter. All of Lorre's proceeds from the sale of the book benefit the Dharma-Grace Foundation, established by Lorre in 1999 to further his ongoing support of many health care-related charities and educational efforts, including the Venice (California) Family Clinic. The Long Island, NY native got his start in the entertainment business as a guitarist/singer touring the country and writing pop songs, including Debbie Harry's Top 40 hit "French Kissin' in the USA." After more than a decade on the road, Lorre turned his attention to television. He began writing animation scripts for DIC and Marvel Productions, and wrote and produced the themes and scores for animated series such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. A spec Primetime script soon led to freelance work on the Syndicated comedy Charles in Charge and, eventually, to a staff job on My Two Dads. His big break followed in 1991, when he joined Roseanne.

About the Producers Guild of America (PGA)

The Producers Guild of America is the non-profit trade group that represents, protects and promotes the interests of all members of the producing team in film, television and new media. The Producers Guild has more than 5,800 members who work together to protect and improve their careers, the industry and community by providing members with employment opportunities, seeking to expand health benefits, promoting fair and impartial standards for the awarding of producing credits, as well as other education and advocacy efforts such as encouraging sustainable production practices. Visit www.producersguild.org, www.pgagreen.org, www.pgadiversity.org for more information.

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