Sherman Hemsley
Known for Acting · 67 credits
- Born
- 1938-02-01
- Died
- 2012-07-24
- Place of birth
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Biography
Sherman Alexander Hemsley (February 1, 1938 – July 24, 2012) was an American actor, best known for his roles as George Jefferson on the CBS television series All in the Family and The Jeffersons, Deacon Ernest Frye on the NBC series Amen, and B.P. Richfield on the ABC series Dinosaurs. For his work on The Jeffersons, Hemsley was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award. He also won an NAACP Image Award.
Hemsley was born and raised in South Philadelphia by his mother, who worked in a lamp factory.[1] He did not meet his father until he was 14. He attended Barrat Middle School, Central High School for 9th grade and Bok Technical High School for 10th, when he dropped out of school and joined the United States Air Force, where he served for four years.
On leaving the Air Force, he returned to Philadelphia, where he worked for the United States Postal Service during the day while attending the Academy of Dramatic Arts at night. He then moved to New York, continuing to work for the Post Office during the day while working as an actor at night. He starred as Gitlow in the early 1970s Broadway musical Purlie.
While Hemsley was on Broadway with Purlie, Norman Lear called him in 1971 to play the recurring role of George Jefferson in his new sitcom, All in the Family. Hemsley was reluctant to leave his theatre role, but Lear told him that he would hold the role open for him. Hemsley joined the cast two years later. The characters of Hemsley and co-star Isabel Sanford were supporting occasional roles on All in the Family, but were given their own spin-off, The Jeffersons, two years after Hemsley made his debut on the sitcom. The Jeffersons proved to be one of Lear's most successful series, enjoying a run of 11 seasons through 1985.
Hemsley was a shy and intensely private man, described by some as reclusive. He avoided the Hollywood limelight and little of his personal life was public knowledge beyond the facts that he never married and he had no children.[9] In 2003, however, Hemsley granted a rare video interview to the Archive of American Television. "It [playing George Jefferson] was hard for me. But he was the character. I had to do it."
Known For
TV Shows (44)
Family Guy
1999
as Sherman Hemsley (voice)
Saturday Night Live
1975
as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
The Love Boat
1977
as Maurice Marshall
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
1993
as Mr. Schott
V.I.P.
1998
as Sherman Hemsley
Family Matters
1989
as Captain Savage
The Incredible Hulk
1977
as Robert
The Twilight Zone
1985
as Sam (segment "I of Newton")
Dinosaurs
1991
as B.P. Richfield (voice)
The Wayans Bros.
1995
as Mr. Stone
Vicki!
1992
as Self
Sister, Sister
1994
as Jimmy / Grandpa Campbell
Dinah!
1974
as Self
All in the Family
1971
as George Jefferson
The Hughleys
1998
as James Williams
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
1990
as George Jefferson / Judge Carl Robertson
Martin
1992
as Mr. Washington
The Jeffersons
1975
as George Jefferson
Designing Women
1986
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995
as The Miller (voice)
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
1992
as Wallace Pitney
Amen
1986
as Deacon Ernest Frye
The Magic School Bus
1994
as Mr. Junkett (voice)
City Guys
1997
Figure It Out
1997
as Self
Burke's Law
1994
as Judge Powell
Clueless
1996
as Murray's Grandpa
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1973
as Self
The Secret World of Alex Mack
1994
as Professor Lake
Battle of the Network Stars
1976
Donny & Marie
1976
as Self
The Magic of David Copperfield
1978
as Self
The Ben Stiller Show
1992
E/R
1984
as George Jefferson
Tony Orlando and Dawn
1974
as Self
The Surreal Life
2003
as Self
The Sonny and Cher Show
1976
Goode Behavior
1996
as Willie Goode
Alice in Wonderland
1985
as Mouse
The Big Show
1980
as Self
Mr. Ed
as Mr. Ed (voice)
Pink Lady
1980
as Self
Living in TV Land
2004
Back to the Grind
2007
Movies (23)
American Pie Presents: The Book of Love
2009
as Pastor
Senseless
1998
as Smythe/Bates Doorman
Home of Angels
1994
Mr. Nanny
1993
as Burt Wilson
Jane Austen's Mafia!
1998
as George Jefferson (uncredited)
Clunkers
2015
as Boss
Casper: A Spirited Beginning
1997
as Grocer
Screwed
2000
as Chip Oswald
Stewardess School
1986
as Mr. Buttersworth
Camp Cucamonga
1990
as Herbert Himmel
Up, Up, and Away
2000
as Edward Marshall / Steel Condor
Combat Academy
1986
as Judge Daley
Love at First Bite
1979
as Reverend Mike
Who Shrunk Saturday Morning?
1989
as The Master Programmer
The Misery Brothers
1995
as Rev. Scheister
Sprung
1997
as Brotha #1
Club Fed
1990
as The Reverend
A Christmas Journey Home
1996
as Homeless Guy
Ghost Fever
1987
as Buford / Jethro
For the Love of a Dog
2008
as George O'Donnell
Purlie
1981
as Gitlow
The Sensational Shocking Wonderful Wacky 70's
1980
as Self
Golden Anniversary of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
1987
as Magic Mirror
About Sherman Hemsley
Sherman Alexander Hemsley (February 1, 1938 – July 24, 2012) was an American actor, best known for his roles as George Jefferson on the CBS television series All in the Family and The Jeffersons, Deacon Ernest Frye on the NBC series Amen, and B.P. Richfield on the ABC series Dinosaurs. For his work on The Jeffersons, Hemsley was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award. He also won an NAACP Image Award. Hemsley was born and raised in South Philadelphia by his mother, who worked in a lamp factory.[1] He did not meet his father until… With 67 credits spanning from 1971 to 2015, Sherman Hemsley has appeared in 23 films and 44 TV shows.
Fans searching for Sherman Hemsley movies, Sherman Hemsley filmography, or the latest projects starring Sherman Hemsley can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Sherman Hemsley Movies
- American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009) — as Pastor
- Senseless (1998) — as Smythe/Bates Doorman
- Home of Angels (1994)
- Mr. Nanny (1993) — as Burt Wilson
- Jane Austen's Mafia! (1998) — as George Jefferson (uncredited)
Where to Watch Sherman Hemsley Films
Most Sherman Hemsley movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Sherman Hemsley, check our movies catalogue and browse page.