PGA Awards: Gail Berman Tapped for Norman Lear Achievement Honor

Tyler Coates
·2 min read
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The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced Wednesday that producer Gail Berman will be honored with this year’s Norman Lear Achievement Award.

The Norman Lear Award recognizes a producer or producing team for their extraordinary body of work in television. Past honorees include Mindy Kaling, Greg Berlanti, Marta Kauffman, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Ryan Murphy, Shonda Rhimes, Chuck Lorre, J.J. Abram, Lorne Michaels, Dick Wolf, Jerry Bruckheimer, Aaron Spelling, David E. Kelley and the late Norman Lear himself. The Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television is sponsored by Delta Air Lines.

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The veteran Berman has produced over 300 episodes of television throughout her career, with titles including All-American Girl, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff Angel, Monarch, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo and Wednesday.

Currently, in her role as CEO of The Jackal Group, a production company creating scripted and unscripted television, feature films and commercial theater, Berman is producing the Jon Hamm-led animated series Grimsburg, which has been greenlit for a second season on Fox, as well as the adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s best-selling novel The Perfect Couple starring Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Dakota Fanning and Eve Hewson for Netflix.

Berman has also been a prolific producer outside of television, having gotten her start as the co-producer of the original Broadway production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which earned seven Tony nominations. She also received a 2023 Oscar nomination for best picture for Warner Bros.’ Elvis, which she produced alongside director Baz Luhrmann.

“Gail’s impact on the television industry is nothing short of groundbreaking. Whether it’s the contemporary successes of shows like Wednesday or her extensive role as a television executive overseeing critical and commercial hits such as American Idol, 24, House, Family Guy and Arrested Development, her commitment as a producer speaks volumes and her impact has left an indelible mark on the medium,” noted Producers Guild of America Presidents Stephanie Allain and Donald De Line in a statement. “Norman Lear was a cultural icon whose producing work helped to transform television and shaped American society. We are honored to continue celebrating his legacy with this annual achievement.”

“I had the immense privilege of knowing Norman personally, and I know his legacy will continue to inspire artists and activists for generations,” said Berman. “My sincere thanks go to the Producers Guild for this recognition. It is a tremendous honor to be associated with its past recipients and the iconic namesake who so many of us consider a hero.”

The 35th annual PGA Awards will take place on Feb. 25.

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