Sherman Hemsley, mostly notably known as “George Jefferson” of the hit tv show “The Jeffersons” has passed away. The actor died in his home in El Paso, Texas on Tuesday July 24t. Hemsley was 74 years of age.
“According to reports, El Paso police said the actor was found dead at a home where neighbors said he’d lived for years, and that no foul play is suspected. Hemsley had no wife and kids. The nurse found Hemsley in his room [ and thought he was sleeping] It seems as though natural causes is the cause of death.”
Hemsley was by far one of the most gifted and talented entertainers of our time. His character on the Moving On Up gospel theme show didn’t always paint him the light and often shown him as a loud, arrogant and obnoxious person, but Hemsley was enjoybale to watch week after week. Hemsley first got his start in as George Jefferson on CBS hit show “All In The Family”, and then transitioned over to the spin -off show “The Jeffersons“, which ran for eleven seasons; the longest running tv sitcom in television. Hemsley preceded his career and landed the role of Deacon Ernest Frye on TV show “Amen”.
Producer of The Jeffersons Norm Lear said this:
“He was a love of a guy” and “immensely talented When the Jeffersons moved in next door to the Bunkers, I wanted to deliver the George Jefferson who could stand up to Archie Bunker,” Lear said. “It took some weeks before I remembered having seen Sherman in ‘Purlie’ on Broadway.” Hemsley read for the part and “the minute he opened his mouth he was ‘George Jefferson’. Hemsley was smaller than O’Connor’s Archie but “he was every bit as strong as Archie,” Lear said.
Lenny Kravitz, whose mother, Roxie Roker, played Helen Willis on “The Jeffersons,” said,
“When I was a kid, Sherman would always take the time to hang out with me on set. We would listen to music and talk about it. He was very knowledgeable, and was a big rock ‘n’ roll fan. He was an extraordinary human being that made a huge difference with his talent. I will miss him.”
Hemsley was born and raised in South Philadelphia and served four years in the Air Force. When he moved to New York, he worked in the post office by day and became an actor at night, eventually landing a role in Purlie on Broadway.
His other big TV roles included tyrant B.P. Richfield on Jim Henson’sDinosaurs and Deacon Ernest Frye on Amen. Hemsley also made appearances as Jefferson on E/R, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and more recently House of Payne.
Isabel Sanford [on left] played the role of Lousie “Weezie” Jefferson [George’s wife ] died in 2004 of natural causes. Our condolences goes out to Hemsley’s family. RIP Sherman Hemsley [2/1/1938 -7/24/2012]
Spotted: Associated Press, CBC news