Sherman Hemsley was an acclaimed actor widely believed to be gay. Never getting married and never having children himself, Hemsley proved himself as a talented theater actor, appearing on Broadway with Purlie’s musical production. He was Gay.
Hemsley was best-known for his recurring roles on All in the Family and its spinoff The Jeffersons as well as appearing regularly in other television programs and commercials.
Sherman Hemsley said, ‘I was in a play in elementary school and had to jump up and run away. I was nervous and tripped and fell down and everyone laughed. Their laughter made me relax, so I pretended it was part of the show.’ Unfortunately, he died on July 24, 2012 in Texas. He has been a source of inspiration for many and guided them in the correct direction. About his childhood, he said “I loved it, but had to forget about acting after elementary school because it was the sort of thing you just didn’t do in my rough neighbourhood.”
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Profession | Acclaimed theater actor with notable appearances on Broadway in the musical “Purlie”. Best known for his roles in TV shows All in the Family and its spinoff The Jeffersons. Also known for his work on NBC’s Amen, ABC’s Dinosaurs, and films like Ghost Fever and Love at First Chomp. |
| Personal Life | Born on February 1, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Grew up with extended family and developed an early passion for theater. Served in the US Air Force for four years. Lived a very private life, never married or had children. Passed away in 2012 in El Paso, Texas. His will, which named Flora Enchinton as executor and heir, was challenged by a man claiming to be Hemsley’s brother. |
| Rumored Relationships | Widely believed to be gay, though Hemsley never publicly addressed these speculations. Rumored to be in a relationship with co-star Isabel Sanford. |
| Professional Relations | Formed a close bond with Isabel Sanford, both on-screen and off-screen. The duo made guest appearances together on shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, commercials for The Gap and Old Navy, and performed in a live stage adaptation of The Jeffersons. Reunited for an appearance on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne in 2011. |
| Additional Talents | Besides acting, Hemsley was an accomplished jazz pianist and singer. |
| Legacy | Known for his iconic portrayal of George Jefferson on The Jeffersons, a role that earned him multiple Emmy nominations. His character, along with Isabel Sanford’s, became so popular that they got their own spinoff show from All in the Family. After The Jeffersons ended, both Hemsley and Sanford continued to collaborate and reaffirm their iconic roles in various appearances. |
Hemsley lived a very private life, never marrying or having children. After being diagnosed with cancer and dying in 2012 in El Paso, Texas, his remains have remained in a funeral home refrigerator awaiting a court decision as to where they will go. A Philadelphia man claiming to be Hemsley’s brother has challenged the will signed by Hemsley just prior to his passing which named Flora Enchinton as executor and heir.
He started acting with roles in Philadelphia and New York plays before moving to Los Angeles where he would become best-known as George Jefferson on All in the Family, with its spin-off The Jeffersons premiering two years later and running for eleven seasons. Additionally, Hemsley would go on to portray Deacon Ernest Frye for NBC’s Amen as well as Bradley P. Richfield on ABC Dinosaurs.
Hemsley and Isabel Sanford, who played his wife, Louise, formed an off-screen bond. They made guest appearances together on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as well as commercials for The Gap and Old Navy; performing live stage shows of The Jeffersons together; appearing together again in 2011 on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne series.
Sherman Hemsley led an intimate lifestyle, leading to media speculations regarding his sexual orientation – some believed he was straight, while others speculated on whether or not he was gay. Never once addressed these claims in public, sparking further gossip. As an actor he appeared in Ghost Fever and Love at First Chomp films as well as network shows such as All in the Family and Family Matters.
Hemsley was a well-recognized actor in Hollywood. Known for his work on The Jeffersons as George Jefferson, Hemsley kept a low profile even as an openly gay actor with Isabel Sanford as castmate and was also an accomplished jazz pianist and singer.
Hemsley passed away Tuesday at his home in El Paso, Texas at age 74 without children and exactly one day after astronaut Sally Ride’s passing from pancreatic cancer.
Hemsley was known as an unassuming, shy individual who rarely spoke out about himself or his personal life, prompting media speculation regarding his sexual orientation – leading some people to speculate he may have been gay. Since he never responded directly to these claims in public forums, speculation only increased further.
Born February 1st 1938 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Growing up with an extended family and showing an early interest in theater. Later joining the US Air Force for four years of service.
Hemsley first came to fame when Norman Lear cast him as Purlie on Broadway before inviting him back for guest spots on All in the Family. Due to their immense popularity, Hemsley and Isabel Sanford’s characters in The Jeffersons became so well-recognized that two years later they got their own show. Both critically and financially successful, this series earned multiple Emmy nominations for its star player George Jefferson who was portrayed by Hemsley.
After The Jeffersons ended, Hemsley and Sanford continued to appear together in television and movies as well as touring with a real-life Jeffersons stage show throughout the 1990s and 2000s. They are said to be close both on- and off-screen; making guest appearances on television shows, commercials for The Gap and Old Navy products, as well as dry cleaning conventions to reaffirm their popularity roles.
Sherman Hemsley was more than just the charismatic George Jefferson from ‘The Jeffersons’; he was a private soul with immense talent and a life riddled with speculation and whispers. Despite all the rumors surrounding his personal life and sexual orientation, his legacy as a groundbreaking actor remains firmly intact.