This man was SUCH a staple member of my childhood-television-inspired-fantasy-life. After watching him on The Jeffersons, I remember always going crazy anytime I’d catch his appearances on most other shows I watched thereafter (Fresh Prince, Sister Sister, Family Matters etc.). I’m going to miss this homie. Even through all of his hard-headed roles, you could tell he was a nice guy. After all, there’s a reason Isabel Sanford (the beloved “Weezy” – RIP to her as well) always ended up on top.

*Interesting Wiki-fact: Sanford previously declined her debut All in the Family role because director Norman Lear sent her (and supposedly Hemley) a bucket of KFC after the initial casting.

*Disclaimer: Both Sanford and Hemsley came to realize their type-cast roles on the Jeffersons, yet made the most of it (to their obvious success). A highly recommended documentary on critical impacts of middle-class television series families including an interesting examination of The Jeffersons, watch “Class Dismissed: How TV Frames the Working Class”