R.I.P. Sherman Hemsley

[Heidi Dawn]

http://jam.canoe.ca/Television/2012/07/24/20022931.html

The Jeffersons star Sherman Hemsley has died at the age of 74.

The actor passed away at his home in El Paso, Texas on Tuesday. He is believed to have died from natural causes, according to TMZ.com.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hemsley got his break in showbusiness in the early 1970s, making his Broadway debut in a production of the play Purlie.

It was during his stage stint that he caught the eye of American TV writer and producer Norman Lear, who reached out to Hemsley and asked him to star as George Jefferson in new sitcom All in the Family.

Hemsley was reluctant to quit the theatre and held off on the role for two years before taking Lear up on the standing offer.

Although Jefferson was just a secondary character on the show, Hemsley's comedic timing convinced Lear to develop a spin-off series titled The Jeffersons in 1975, allowing the actor to really shine on camera.

The program became one of Lear's most successful projects and remains the longest-running sitcom with a predominantly black cast in U.S. TV history, airing from 1975 to 1985.

Hemsley's other TV credits include 1980s show Amen and puppet series Dinosaurs, while he also made guest appearances on Will Smith's TV hit The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

He also enjoyed a stint as a professional singer and released a single in 1989, titled Ain't that A Kick in the Head.

Further details surrounding his passing were unavailable as WENN went to press.

[hawkeye123]

I just heard RIP Sherman Hemsley. We lost a great one today. God broke the mold when he made Sherman.

[Mr. Television]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...jX7W_blog.html

Remembering Sherman Hemsley and his portrayal of black church life
‎

Sherman Hemsley has died. The iconic comedian was most famous for his role as an Upper East side living business man in “The Jeffersons,” but it was his other show — the one that was less edgy, more homey and portrayed an aspect of black life largely invisible in Hollywood — that we must remember. That show, which featured the antics and triumphs of Deacon Ernest J. Frye, was called “Amen.”

Amen removed the cloak and dagger that often surrounds life as Christians. Hemsley showed that just because one is called to the pulpit doesn’t make him any less annointed then the next man. He may dance in the sheets with his lady, get bitten by the green-eyed monster and even ball up his fists to protect the one he loves. In a nutshell, he showed that Christians are still human. They make mistakes, but it’s their attempt to walk the less traveled, and more righteous path that makes them special.

Since Amen aired its last episode in 1991, there have been a few attempts to show black church life once again. The Mary Mary gospel singers have a reality show, and in June TV Land aired the new sitcom “Soul Man” which features Cedric the Entertainer as a preacher. But it’s Deacon Frye who paved the way for these small-screen hits.

Rest in peace, Ernie. Hopefully, you’ve had your last fight with Rolly and are somewhere in heaven doing this:

[Larenz09]

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...jX7W_blog.html

Remembering Sherman Hemsley and his portrayal of black church life
‎

Sherman Hemsley has died. The iconic comedian was most famous for his role as an Upper East side living business man in “The Jeffersons,” but it was his other show — the one that was less edgy, more homey and portrayed an aspect of black life largely invisible in Hollywood — that we must remember. That show, which featured the antics and triumphs of Deacon Ernest J. Frye, was called “Amen.”

Amen removed the cloak and dagger that often surrounds life as Christians. Hemsley showed that just because one is called to the pulpit doesn’t make him any less annointed then the next man. He may dance in the sheets with his lady, get bitten by the green-eyed monster and even ball up his fists to protect the one he loves. In a nutshell, he showed that Christians are still human. They make mistakes, but it’s their attempt to walk the less traveled, and more righteous path that makes them special.

Since Amen aired its last episode in 1991, there have been a few attempts to show black church life once again. The Mary Mary gospel singers have a reality show, and in June TV Land aired the new sitcom “Soul Man” which features Cedric the Entertainer as a preacher. But it’s Deacon Frye who paved the way for these small-screen hits.

Rest in peace, Ernie. Hopefully, you’ve had your last fight with Rolly and are somewhere in heaven doing this:

He wil ALWAYS be remembered as George Jefferson and Earnest Deacon Frye!!!!!

[let'swatchtv]

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...jX7W_blog.html

Remembering Sherman Hemsley and his portrayal of black church life
‎

Sherman Hemsley has died. The iconic comedian was most famous for his role as an Upper East side living business man in “The Jeffersons,” but it was his other show — the one that was less edgy, more homey and portrayed an aspect of black life largely invisible in Hollywood — that we must remember. That show, which featured the antics and triumphs of Deacon Ernest J. Frye, was called “Amen.”

Amen removed the cloak and dagger that often surrounds life as Christians. Hemsley showed that just because one is called to the pulpit doesn’t make him any less annointed then the next man. He may dance in the sheets with his lady, get bitten by the green-eyed monster and even ball up his fists to protect the one he loves. In a nutshell, he showed that Christians are still human. They make mistakes, but it’s their attempt to walk the less traveled, and more righteous path that makes them special.

Since Amen aired its last episode in 1991, there have been a few attempts to show black church life once again. The Mary Mary gospel singers have a reality show, and in June TV Land aired the new sitcom “Soul Man” which features Cedric the Entertainer as a preacher. But it’s Deacon Frye who paved the way for these small-screen hits.

Rest in peace, Ernie. Hopefully, you’ve had your last fight with Rolly and are somewhere in heaven doing this:

strangely enough, this article does not even mention the short lived mid-to-late 90's sitcom Good News for which was a spin-off of Sparks and ran on UPN (now The CW merging with The WB) from 1997-1998.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_News_(TV_series)

The series focused on David Randolph (played by David Ramsey), a young acting pastor designated to Compton, California's African American Church of Life.Initially,the majority of the church's members balk at the young pastor's new position and resent him replacing their former pastor.with the help of the church's secretary, Vera Hudson (played by Rose Jackson Moye), Randolph atttempts to reunite the church and help his congregation.

other church members included Hattie, the church's chef (Played by Roz Ryan),Cassie Coleman, the church's youth director(played by Tracey Cherelle Jones), and Little T, as one of the choir members and janitor (played by Guy Torry).

on May 19, 1998 the UPN series was cancelled after a 22 episode run.

[Larenz09]

Originally Posted by let'swatchtv

strangely enough, this article does not even mention the short lived mid-to-late 90's sitcom Good News for which was a spin-off of Sparks and ran on UPN (now The CW with the merging of The WB) from 1997-1998.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_News_(TV_series)

The series focused on David Randolph (played by David Ramsey), a young acting pastor designated to Compton, California's African American Church of Life.Initially,the majority of the church's members balk at the young pastor's new position and resent him replacing their former pastor.with the help of the church's secretary, Vera Hudson (played by Rose Jackson Moye), Randolph atttempts to reunite the church and help his congregation.

other church members included Hattie, the church's chef (Played by Roz Ryan),Cassie Coleman, the church's youth director(played by Tracey Cherelle Jones), and Little T, as one of the choir members and janitor (played by Guy Torry).

on May 19, 1998 the UPN series was cancelled after a 22 episode run.

Unfortunately, Sherman was not in that one. Would have been good if he was!! The show might have lasted longer.

There was also an amorous love-sick little midget guy in the show (forgot his name), who was always trying to go after Hattie, making advances to her.

He appeared in several eps of the show.

[let'swatchtv]

Originally Posted by Larenz09

Unfortunately, Sherman was not in that one. Would have been good if he was!! The show might have lasted longer.

There was also an amorous love-sick little midget guy in the show (forgot his name), who was always trying to go after Hattie, making advances to her.

He appeared in several eps of the show.

listen, i already know that Hemsley was never on Good News, although i do agree with you he should've. but to be fair UPN sitcom-wise he was one of the Stars on the short-lived 23 episode sitcom Goode Behavior which ran on UPN from 1996-1997 where he palyed as a newly paroled convicted con artist and the Father of Franklin Goode(playeby Dorien Wilson by the way) named Willie Goode.

here's the link for the show:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goode_Behavior

and the premise:"Willie Goode (played by Sherman Hemsley) is a newly paroled convicted con artist.He is also the father of Franklin Goode (Played by Dorien Wilson),his estranged son.Franklin is a College professor, an is in the process of being promoted to "Dean of Humanities" at "Chapel Hill University" in Chapel Hill,North Carloina.The two must peacfully co-exist when Willie arrives at Franklin's House (unannounced) to fulfill the conditions of his probation; he must live at his son's house, under house arrest.caught in the middle of a family feuding are Franklin's wife Barbara Goode (played by Alex Datcher),a local news anchor,and their teenage daughter Bianca Goode (played by Bianca Lawson)."

Oh and By The Way Larenz09,for the midget guy from Good News are you talking about Mr.(Nick) Porter played by Dana Woods by any chance?

[Johnny be good!]

I'm going to miss him.

[Larenz09]

Originally Posted by let'swatchtv

Oh and By The Way Larenz09,for the midget guy from Good News are you talking about Mr.(Nick) Porter played by Dana Woods by any chance?

Yeah, that's the one!

Forgot his name. But I thought Dana was a GIRL'S name - hence Dana Plato.

Anyway, he used to follow Hattie around, try to slowly inch his way next to her on the bench in church, jump up into her arms and just wouldn't leave her alone.

She would give in and rub him on the head, as someone would with a little boy!!! He looked the size of a little boy!!

[let'swatchtv]

Originally Posted by Larenz09

Yeah, that's the one!

Forgot his name. But I thought Dana was a GIRL'S name - hence Dana Plato.

Anyway, he used to follow Hattie around, try to slowly inch his way next to her on the bench in church, jump up into her arms and just wouldn't leave her alone.

She would give in and rub him on the head, as someone would with a little boy!!! He looked the size of a little boy!!

yeah, in a suit & tie none the less but i believe that he appeared in episode 7 "Try a Little Tenderness" and episode 15 "The Reunion" also did you know Roz Ryan (a.k.a Hattie Dixon) was the voice of Bubbie The Whale on Cartoon Network's The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack which it had a two season run from 2008-2010?

[let'swatchtv]

Originally Posted by Johnny be good!

I'm going to miss him.

trust me dude, we all are!

[Larenz09]

I just watched an ep of HOP, where Sherman Hemsley and Marla Gibbs guest starred in their familiar roles from The Jeffersons.

Sherman has always reprised his famous role in other sitcoms!!!

[GSU2004]

Originally Posted by Larenz09

I just watched an ep of HOP, where Sherman Hemsley and Marla Gibbs guest starred in their familiar roles from The Jeffersons.

Sherman has always reprised his famous role in other sitcoms!!!

Tyler Perry did a great tribute to Sherman using some of the leftover footage of him behind the scenes in filming that episode. Palmer Williams stated how he was honored to work with legends on that episode.

[GSU2004]

Originally Posted by let'swatchtv

listen, i already know that Hemsley was never on Good News, although i do agree with you he should've. but to be fair UPN sitcom-wise he was one of the Stars on the short-lived 23 episode sitcom Goode Behavior which ran on UPN from 1996-1997 where he palyed as a newly paroled convicted con artist and the Father of Franklin Goode(playeby Dorien Wilson by the way) named Willie Goode.

here's the link for the show:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goode_Behavior

and the premise:"Willie Goode (played by Sherman Hemsley) is a newly paroled convicted con artist.He is also the father of Franklin Goode (Played by Dorien Wilson),his estranged son.Franklin is a College professor, an is in the process of being promoted to "Dean of Humanities" at "Chapel Hill University" in Chapel Hill,North Carloina.The two must peacfully co-exist when Willie arrives at Franklin's House (unannounced) to fulfill the conditions of his probation; he must live at his son's house, under house arrest.caught in the middle of a family feuding are Franklin's wife Barbara Goode (played by Alex Datcher),a local news anchor,and their teenage daughter Bianca Goode (played by Bianca Lawson)."

Oh and By The Way Larenz09,for the midget guy from Good News are you talking about Mr.(Nick) Porter played by Dana Woods by any chance?

Sherman acknowledged what hurt that show was the writing in later interviews. He thought the concept was great but the writing was weak. I am surprised they didn't make him a consultant like he was on 'Amen'. If they would have did that, the show could have lasted longer. I guess since he was up in age, he just wanted to come act and go home, lol.

[GSU2004]

Originally Posted by let'swatchtv

strangely enough, this article does not even mention the short lived mid-to-late 90's sitcom Good News for which was a spin-off of Sparks and ran on UPN (now The CW merging with The WB) from 1997-1998.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_News_(TV_series)

The series focused on David Randolph (played by David Ramsey), a young acting pastor designated to Compton, California's African American Church of Life.Initially,the majority of the church's members balk at the young pastor's new position and resent him replacing their former pastor.with the help of the church's secretary, Vera Hudson (played by Rose Jackson Moye), Randolph atttempts to reunite the church and help his congregation.

other church members included Hattie, the church's chef (Played by Roz Ryan),Cassie Coleman, the church's youth director(played by Tracey Cherelle Jones), and Little T, as one of the choir members and janitor (played by Guy Torry).

on May 19, 1998 the UPN series was cancelled after a 22 episode run.

Good News always felt like a low budget 'Amen' to me. They tried to make it about the pastor but people just couldn't get into it. Despite the fact, they had some of the same producers from Amen working on this show.