Two businessmen have begun a legal battle over the royalties from SHERMAN HEMSLEY's acting career. The 70-year-old star suffered financial difficulties in the 1990s and sold off his future residual payments from past TV roles - including his stint on hit sitcom The Jeffersons - to pay his debts. William Little and David Pullman bought Hemsley's residual rights together, but following a dispute between the pair, Little reportedly paid his former partner $42,000 to release his claim on future payments. Little has now filed a lawsuit against Pullman - claiming he contacted actors union the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) in April (08) asking for bosses to withhold a $10,000 payment to Little. Little is suing for $25,000, according to TMZ.com.

http://www.tmz.com/2008/08/04/fight-over-george-jeffersons-piece-of-the-pie/

I don't care about those two losers, but it's a shame that Sherman Hemsley had to sell off his right to residual payments for The Jeffersons.

I don't care about those two losers, but it's a shame that Sherman Hemsley had to sell off his right to residual payments for The Jeffersons.


Well if he was manging his money the right way then he wouldn't have had financial difficullties to sell off his rights to residual payments.

Crazy how the article refers to Sherman's role on The Jeffersons as a "stint". The Jeffersons ended in the mid-80s, after what, 11 years? His series, Amen followed. No marriage or kids that I know about. No substance abuse issues that I've heard about. I wonder what the story is there. It could be another case of a person living above their means. That can happen with a person making 10 grand a year or a person making a million a year.

I know a couple who does that. Bought a house they couldn't afford, so the mortgage payments are killing them. They've mortgaged and re-mortgaged their house. They put their kids in private school, and the school was ready to kick the kids out over past due payments. They have cars they can't afford, maxed out credit cards, on an on. What good is having all this great stuff if your refrigerator is empty. Sherman seems too sharp to live beyond his means, but something happened. It could be a case of bad investments too.

Crazy how the article refers to Sherman's role on The Jeffersons as a "stint". The Jeffersons ended in the mid-80s, after what, 11 years? His series, Amen followed. No marriage or kids that I know about. No substance abuse issues that I've heard about. I wonder what the story is there. It could be another case of a person living above their means. That can happen with a person making 10 grand a year or a person making a million a year.

I know a couple who does that. Bought a house they couldn't afford, so the mortgage payments are killing them. They've mortgaged and re-mortgaged their house. They put their kids in private school, and the school was ready to kick the kids out over past due payments. They have cars they can't afford, maxed out credit cards, on an on. What good is having all this great stuff if your refrigerator is empty. Sherman seems too sharp to live beyond his means, but something happened. It could be a case of bad investments too.



I'm thinking the article had a huge error and the stint was supposed to be his role on AMEN

I think it's due to all "bad" people taking advantage of Sherman. Remember everyone says Sherman is a very lovable, trusting person. Sherman has done movies, alot of theatre, guess spots, the Denny's commercials. He has a very long list of credits. I truley believe it's just people taking advantage of him, they probably took the money and ran.
I've found this part on answers.com site.
In 2007, Hemsley appeared on the California Franchise Tax Board's list of the top 250 taxpayers with liened state income tax delinquencies greater than $100,000, owing over $340,000

He's struggled with financial issues for years. I hope everything works out for the best.

It's sad. Sherman Helmsley is wonderful. I think George Jefferson is the greatest tv character ever. I hate the thought of Sherman spending his senior years in poverty. It could very well be case of just beng a nice guy to the wrong people. Whatever the reason, I hope he gets his life back in order, financially.

It's sad. Sherman Helmsley is wonderful. I think George Jefferson is the greatest tv character ever. I hate the thought of Sherman spending his senior years in poverty. It could very well be case of just beng a nice guy to the wrong people. Whatever the reason, I hope he gets his life back in order, financially.
Well said, Janice. :)

I knew he had financial problems in the past but I though he'd gotten them under control.I saw him on "The Surreal Life" and watched him in interviews and he seems so nice.He's an extremely talented actor and I hope he can get his problems taken care of.