Sherman Hemsley Biography

Fast Facts

• Shared a TV Land Award for Favorite Cantankerous Couple with Isabel Sanford for their performances in "The Jeffersons" in 2004
• Won an NAACP Image Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy Series or Special for his role in "The Jeffersons" in 1982
• Served in the Air Force for four years, then worked for eight years as a U․S․ Postal Service clerk
• During his early years as an actor, while acting in New York workshops and theater companies such as the Negro Ensemble Company at night, he kept his day job at the post office
• Studied acting at the Philadelphia Academy of Dramatic Arts when he was an adolescent
• Quote: "Once you find the rhythm of the character, for me anyway ․․․ the words just fall right into place․"
• Best known for playing feisty, bigoted business owner George Jefferson on "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons․"
• Made his Broadway debut in "Purlie," a musical adaptation of Ossie Davis's play "Purlie Victorious․"
• Released a single called "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" followed by an album of rhythm and blues music called "Dance․"
• Stated that it was a stretch for him to play George Jefferson because he had a difficult time being rude