Sherman Hemsley Deserved Better: The Truth About ‘The Jeffersons’ Star’s Legacy

THE JEFFERSONS, Sherman Hemsley, 1975-85
Everett Collection
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Not enough has been written about Sherman Hemsley, the actor who brought us one of television’s most wonderful characters: The Jeffersons‘ George Jefferson, the greatest dry cleaner of all time. Sherman’s journey to stardom wasn’t a traditional one by any means; before becoming an actor, Sherman served in the Air Force and also worked for the Postal Service.  There is something truly special about actors who actually have lived a relatively normal life before discovering fame and fortune. In Hollywood, they seem more grounded and more real, which helps them to become more authentic in whatever role they play.