Sherman Hemsley, most famous for his role as George Jefferson, died at the age of 74 at his home in El Paso, TX from natural causes.
According to TMZ, Hemsley was discovered by his nurse who initially believed the actor was sleeping.
The TV icon appeared in shows such as All in the Family, which eventually became a spin-off to The Jeffersons, from where he gained worldwide stardom. Hemsley also starred in the 90’sTV show, Amen.
He was also a professional singer and even released a single in 1989, called “Ain’t That A Kick in the Head.”
Hemsley was born and raised in South Philadelphia by a single mother who worked in a factory.
Not completing High School, Hemsley joined the Air Force, serving for four years.
After his stint in the Air Force, he returned to Philadelphia where he worked for the Post Office during the day while attending acting school at night.
Trying to make it big, he later moved to New York City and began acting on Broadway.
His first starring role was the character Gitlow in the early 1970s Broadway play Purlie.
Hemsley studied under Lloyd Richards at the Negro Ensemble Company and after appearing in Purlie, television producer Norman Lear called him to play the role of George Jefferson in All in the Family. From there the character George Jefferson would be born, cementing Hemsley as a TV icon.
Hemsley had no wife and no kids. May he rest in peace.
SOURCE: TMZ
