Black History Month Sherman Hemsley

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Mother Knows always blesses you. Black History Month with the
Black History Facts, we have to say, Happy belated and
heavenly birthday to the legendary Sherman Hemsley. He was born
February first, nineteen thirty eight. Sherman Hemsley was an actor
best known for his iconic role as George Jefferson on

(00:20):
The Jeffersons. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he first found successful
on Broadway before Norman Leah cast him as the sharp tongue,
ambitious George, a role that made TV history. Who Doesn't
Remember George Jefferson? A spinoff of Oil in the Family,

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The Jeffersons broke new ground as one of the first
sitcoms to feature a successful black family and primetime TV's
first interracial couple at a time when it was still taboo.
Sherman's portrayal of George, a self man businessman moving all

(01:02):
the way up in the world, was both funny and impactful,
paving a way for Black representation on TV. Beyond The Jeffersons,
he starred in Amen and Voice, BP Richfield and Dinosaurs,
leaving a lasting mark on TV. He passed on July

(01:22):
twenty fourth, twenty twelve, yet his legacy stands as a
powerful reminder of the importance of representation in media. Sherman
Hemsley is Black History Happy Black History Month.