He made a good living as an actor after spending four years in the Air Force and eight years working at the post office. Hemsley made a name for himself as George Jefferson, carrying the iconic sitcom for a decade and earning a 1984 Emmy nomination for his work as lead actor in a comedy series. He also starred as Deacon Ernest Frye on the NBC series "Amen" for several years.
Sherman Hemsley created his own future with the energy and creativity that he gave to his supporting character on 'All In The Family'. He was a great foil to 'Archie Bunker's white supremacist attitude as the Black neighbor. Hemsley's brilliance led to a spin-off situation comedy called 'The Jefferson'.
I suspect that there never would have been a Huxtable family in the 'Cosby Show' if George Jefferson hadn't been so great in 'The Jeffersons'.
Rest In Peace Mr. Hemsley!
4 comments:
I honestly thought that he was already dead.
Reggie - Like I said ... he has been under-appreciated in many ways. I think it is sad that he never had any children.
Yes, it was a major shock to me when I heard that he passed. Also, it was a shock that in real life, he was not a family man. The Uptown article states the he had no wife or kids. This is a nice way of stating that he was a DL Brotha or Gay Black man, I think. Interestingly, he kept his relationship out of the public eye. His death helps me realize the reality of the shortness of life on earth. Yes, RIP Brotha.
Black Nouveau Woman - It is nice to know that his sexual orientation really has no place in his obituary. He did good work while on earth and he will be remembered with a smile by many in America. ...and you're right, tomorrow is not promised to any of us!
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