Actor Sherman Hemsley, best known for his starring role as George Jefferson in the CBS comedy series The Jeffersons, among other TV roles, has reportedly died at the age of 74. Few details have emerged on the actor's death, however TMZ has reported that El Paso, Texas police told them of Hemsley's passing. The site goes on to state that he died in his home, apparently of natural causes. ABC News got confirmation from Hemsley's publicist, though his cause of death was not immediately known.
Hemsley's known for his comedic performances, most notably his role as George Jefferson in CBS' 70's comedy All in the Family, which ran for close to a decade, and the spin-off series The Jeffersons, which aired from the mid-70's to mid-80's. Following the end of The Jeffersons' run, he moved over to NBC to star in the Philidelphia-set comedy Amen, playing the role of Deacon Ernest Frye. Later, he appeared numerous times in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and voiced the role of Triceratops (and scary boss) B.P Richfield in the Jim Henson sitcom Dinosaurs.
Hemsley's most recent credit had him reprising the role of George Jefferson for an episode of House of Payne last year. And that seems fitting, considering many of us will always remember him best for that part.
It's sad news to hear of his passing, but he'll be remembered well for his contributions to television over the decades. Our thoughts are with his friends and family in their time of loss.
