Sherman Hemsley, the beloved actor who played the bombastic, wise-cracking, pimp-walking George Jefferson that made “The Jeffersons” an iconic TV sitcom in the 1970s, died in El Paso, Texas, today. He was 74.
Hemsley, who later starred in another hit comedy show, “Amen,” was discovered by his nurse who thought the actor was sleeping. When she could not awaken him, she called 911. It appears that Hemsley died from natural causes.
Hemsley first became a national sensation when his George Jefferson character was battling wits and racial issues with Carroll O’Conner’s Archie Bunker on the legendary show “All in the Family.” The reoccurring appearances proved to be so successful that studio execs created a spin-off, “The Jeffersons,” which quickly became a ratings blockbuster.
He was also a professional singer and even released the single in 1989, “Ain’t that A Kick in the Head.”
— reported by jana hicks, terry shropshire and necory johnson
Photos:
Remembering Sherman Hemsley
Developing
