Sherman Hemsley, known to many for his starring role on The Jeffersons has died at 74, and is remembered by many as the peevish, nervous, reactive funny man playing George Jefferson, a ‘movin’ on up’ patriarch of a newly affluent black family who also, much like Ralph Cramden of The Honeymooners, was a sometimes schemer. In the sit-com, George owned a dry cleaning business, lived in a highrise New York luxury apartment with his wife, Louise (Wheezy)… and an assortment of lovably weird neighbors. They had a son named Lionel. The Jeffersons (irnonically named now that we know more about Thomas Jefferson’s actual love interest) ran from 1975 to 1985, a good long run for a comedy show. Later the Philly born Helmsley guest starred in other series.
People on the street recognizing him, he said, often didnt know his actual name, and called him George after his character. That… is a real compliment to his acting artistry.
May he rest in peace and his family and friends be comforted in ways that matter.
CODA:
no matter how long I messed with it to try to make this thumbnail pix not display with head cut off, wordpress just wouldnt cooperate today. I’m sorry, for I thought this was a cool picture of Mr. Helmsley looking so spiffy and trim in his suit. No disrespect meant.