Actor Sherman Hemsley “George Jefferson” Dies at 74

The recent passing of actor Sherman Hemsley was confirmed this week by a spokesman for the actor, Todd Frank. According to Frank, Hemsley who was most well-known for his role as “George Jefferson” died in El Paso. Hemsley was 74 years old.

Sherman Hemsley had received an emmy nomination for his acting. His role as George Jefferson actually began as a character who was a friend of Archie Bunker on “All in the Family.” From his character, the network spun off Hemsley’s character into a show of his own, titled “The Jeffersons.”

The Jeffersons was a big hit for the network and a big boost for the black community. The central theme of the show was a black family which had risen up through hard work, building a successful business. Hemsley’s character ran a successful chain of Dry Cleaning Stores and had moved into a “deluxe apartment” with a maid.

Also of note on the show was one of the first inter-racial marriages openly displayed on network television. Later in his career, Sherman Hemsley had another successful television hit playing the role of Deacon Ernst Frye on the show “Amen.”