Okay, before you say anything, can you really blame me? Someone had to say it…
At any rate, I’ve lost a childhood idol and the world has lost a man who helped inspire millions of children of all races and creeds to become actors. Sherman Hemsley died today at the age of 74 at his home in El Paso.
But George Jefferson will live forever. His bigotry, rudeness and love for his “Weezy” will always be a pleasure to watch.
- He went toe-to-toe with Archie Bunker.
- He pulled himself up from nothing, as they say, and even hired a black maid.
- He even had mixed-race neighbors whom he terrorized.
Hemsley, with Isabel Sanford, on The Jeffersons. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
- He was a hard-working, decent man – on-screen and off.
In a 1977 Jeffersons episode titled “George’s Legacy,” the character decided to immortalize himself by hiring a sculptor to create his bust. “A man’s got to leave his mark,” George tells the bust. “Something to prove that he’s been here. Otherwise, there ain’t no sense in showing up at all.”
You left your mark, Sherman, trust me.
English: Sherman Helmsley, taken at the Hustler Hollywood store on December 3, 1999 Photo courtesy of http://www.lukeisback.com, used with permission (see here). Image taken from the Wayback Machine’s archive of lukeford.com, viewable here (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Related articles
- Sherman Hemsley Dead At 74 (kysdc.com)
- Sherman Hemsley, star of ‘Jeffersons,’ dies at 74 (wwltv.com)
Nobody had “pep” in his walk like George Jefferson
.
Very true…
I have many fond memories of watching Sherman Hemsley will will be forever George Jefferson to me. I didn’t know he was here in Texas, in El Paso.
You never know all your neighbors, right?
The world is a little bit sadder.
Yes, it is!
This is sad news. He could always make me laugh. Nice tribute.
Terrible news, but I’m glad you told me. Yesterday on FB about 3 of my friends posted “beans don’t burn on the grill” and I thought it was ironic that they were all walking around with that gosh darned tune stuck in their heads!
Well now you know!
Oh no!!! I loved this man in “Ghost Fever”.
This is so sad!! The one thing I hate about getting older is everyone I enjoyed is getting older too. And it sucks be me as everyone I like was considered “old” when I first knew them!!!
Yes. It is all about me.
But The last real actors and comedians and just “real” famous people are getting older too. This is so sad.
Indeed, Woman… Indeed.
I don’t know everything because I am not meant to know everything. Now with this little fig leaf of a disclaimer for my yawning ignorance, let me get to the crux of the matter.
>Sherman Hemsley died today at the age of 74 at his home in El Paso.
- I had not heard of nor do I recall reading about Sherman Hemsley or the characters he portrayed.
>At any rate, I’ve lost a childhood idol
- But this is reason enough for me to want to comment.
I know the sadness when we lose someone we did not know at all in person, but who, somehow, had a positive impact on us. It’s not a nice feeling, but it will pass, Hook.
>“A man’s got to leave his mark,” George tells the bust. “Something to prove that he’s been here. Otherwise, there ain’t no sense in showing up at all.”
- I had a little smile when I read that. I agree with him completely.
Entering the blogosphere a few months ago is one of the ways I decided to try and leave a mark. Reading your blog, among a few others, is one of the ways I ensure I leave a positive mark.
May Sherman Hemsley’s family find the strength within to deal with his departure.
I choose to believe that when we die, we go to a place filled with sunbeams that don’t scorch or blind, everyone I know is there, everyone I don’t know is happy as well and there’s a limitless smorgasbord of pork and shellfish preparations!
Kate
P.S.: >The Day Sherman Hemsley “Moved On Up” Once Last Time…
- Nice play on words there.
I hope your vision of the Afterlife is accurate, young lady…. it sounds perfect.
As always, thanks for the input, Kate.