Sherman Hemsley star of TV classic hits the "Jeffersons" & "Amen" has died

[Shortline Bus 1,121]

"Sherman Hemsley, who as George Jefferson ensured that black folks would never again be invisible on television, died Tuesday at his El Paso home. He was 74.

Police said Hemsley was discovered by his nurse and apparently died of natural causes.

Hemsley played Jefferson for two years on “All in the Family,” from 1973-75, then starred opposite Isabel Sanford from 1975 to 1985 on their own spinoff, “The Jeffersons.” Isabel Sanford died in 2004 at age 86.

George Jefferson was not the first black character on television, but he remains one of the most indelible.

Because he first played in counterpoint to Archie Bunker, and because both had the exaggerated personalities of sitcom characters, George Jefferson shared many of Archie’s traits.

He was cranky, impatient and prone to speaking without thinking — though he was also more clever and calculating than Archie.

This made him one of television’s first angry black characters, and while some of that anger was blunted with a comic edge, his legitimate frustration over America’s racial situation was hard to miss.

He became a more effective answer to Archie’s bigotry not because he was noble and perfect, but because he also had dimension, quirks, strengths and weaknesses."

 

 

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One of the great tv theme songs ever. RIP George and Rev. Frye . This sucks another classic entertainer has left us in 2012.

 

 

 

2)Late 1980's hit show "Amen"

 

[NYCtrainfan01 586]

Wow.... I remember him in the "Jeffersons"..... We are losing alot of good people... R.I.P Mister Sherman Hemsley.

 

Here's of video of the Jeffersons on "The Fresh Prince Bel-Air"

 

[Guest MTA Bus]

He will always be my favorite African American Actor (after Will Smith). He was funny on All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Amen, and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (when he and Wheezy guest started). God Bless You, Sherman Hemsley. You're now a permanent home in that deluxe apartment in the sky.

[Shortline Bus 1,121]

Here a funny segment w/ George Jefferson and Archie Bunker Pre Jeffersons. Man i wish tv was this good again lol. Too bad the political correct police would ban this show lol.

 

1)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdZiTbEjCUA

 

2)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuW1pfKXbUU&feature=relmfu