Sherman Hemsley, who played George Jefferson on The Jeffersons, has died at 74, according to police. The actor, who first played the role of Jefferson in All in the Family, also played Deacon Ernest Frye on TV’s Amen. Hemsley died at his home in El Paso, Texas.Born in South Philadelphia, Hemsley dropped out of high school to join the Air Force. He returned to Philadelphia and worked for the U.S. Postal Service, while taking acting classes at night. After performing with local groups in Philadelphia, Hemsley moved to New York to make his Broadway debut as Gitlow in Purlie.
Although he retired from television acting, Hemsley joined Sanford through the late ’90s and early 2000’s to reprise their roles as George and Louise “Weezy” Jefferson on guest spots. The duo appeared on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and in commercials for Old Navy, Gap and Denny’s. Hemsley had no wife or children. (People)
