EL PASO, TX — On November 21, 2012, Sherman
Hemsley—the man who forever changed American television as the fiery and unforgettable
George Jefferson—was quietly laid to rest at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Yet,
what should have been a moment of honor for a sitcom legend turned into one of
Hollywood’s most puzzling chapters. The funeral, delayed for months by bitter
legal disputes, was missing something the public never expected: almost none of
Hemsley’s co-stars from The Jeffersons were present.
Why would the television family that once shared
America’s living rooms abandon their leader in his final hour? Was this absence
a matter of circumstance, or was it the result of unresolved conflicts, hidden
truths, and a private life Sherman Hemsley kept tightly guarded until the end?
From Mailman to
Comedy Icon
Sherman Alexander Hemsley was born on February 1,
1938, in Philadelphia. Raised by his hardworking single mother, his path seemed
destined for ordinary routines rather than TV immortality. After a stint in the
Air Force, he returned home to take a steady job at the post office. But
secretly, Sherman had bigger dreams.
By night, he
studied drama and performed in small theater productions, slowly honing a craft
that would one day make him a household name. His breakthrough came when Norman
Lear discovered him and cast him as George Jefferson in All in the
Family (1971). The character—bold, sharp-tongued, unapologetic—was
such a hit that CBS spun off The Jeffersons in
1975.
Over the
course of 11 seasons and 253 episodes, Hemsley turned George Jefferson into an
icon. Audiences saw more than comedy—they saw cultural history unfold, as the
show boldly addressed race, class, and ambition in ways network TV had never
dared before.
A Man of Fame Who
Craved Solitude
Though he played one of the loudest, brashest men in
television history, Sherman himself was the opposite. Off-camera, he lived a
reclusive life. No Hollywood red carpets, no endless interviews, no
high-profile scandals. Instead, he lived quietly in El Paso, Texas, with pets,
music, and very few close friends.
Colleagues
often described him as “mysterious” and “hard to know.” He never married
publicly, never flaunted relationships, and avoided social circles that other
celebrities thrived on. Even as his career continued through shows like Amen
and Dinosaurs,
Sherman preferred privacy over attention.
That craving
for solitude—and the secrets surrounding his personal life—only deepened after
his passing.
Death, Legal
Battles, and a Funeral on Hold
Sherman Hemsley passed away on July 24, 2012, from
lung cancer at his modest El Paso home. What should have been a straightforward
farewell quickly turned into a headline-making saga.
Just six weeks
before his death, Sherman signed a will leaving his entire estate—valued at
around $50,000—to Flora Enenton Bernal, his longtime companion, manager, and
rumored partner. His blood relatives were left out completely.
This ignited a
firestorm. Richard Thornton, claiming to be Sherman’s half-brother, challenged
the will in court, demanding Sherman’s body be sent back to Philadelphia for
burial. Thornton argued that the will was signed while Sherman was gravely ill
and therefore invalid.
For four long
months, Sherman’s body remained in limbo as lawyers battled. Headlines blared: “Sherman
Hemsley’s body held hostage by legal war.” The delay was not just
tragic—it meant that by the time the funeral finally happened, many of his
co-stars and friends couldn’t attend.
A Funeral Few
Could Make
When the court finally ruled the will valid in
November 2012, Sherman was buried with military honors at Fort Bliss. But the
damage had been done.
The cast of The
Jeffersons—once America’s favorite family—was notably absent.
Rumors quickly spread: Were they boycotting? Were there grudges? Did hidden
conflicts finally spill into the open?
Marla Gibbs,
who played Florence, George Jefferson’s quick-witted sparring partner, was one
of the most missed faces. Fans speculated endlessly about her absence. In
reality, the delay caused by the legal battle made it nearly impossible for the
then-81-year-old actress to rearrange her schedule and travel to El Paso on
such short notice. Later, she clarified her love for Sherman: “I
miss him so much. No one could ever replace him.”
For the
public, however, the damage was already done. The sight of Sherman being buried
without his TV family was heartbreaking.
The Cast Already
Lost to Time
Many of Sherman’s closest co-stars could not attend
for a more tragic reason: they were already gone.
·
Isabel Sanford (Louise “Weezy”
Jefferson):
Passed away in 2004 at age 86.
·
Roxie Roker (Helen Willis): Died of breast cancer in 1995 at
age 66.
·
Franklin Cover (Tom Willis): Died in 2006 at 77.
·
Mike Evans (Lionel Jefferson): Passed away in 2006 at just 57.
The absence
wasn’t betrayal—it was simply the reality of time.
Secrets Sherman
Took to the Grave
If Sherman Hemsley’s funeral was lonely, it was also
clouded with unanswered questions. For decades, speculation about his private
life circulated quietly in Hollywood.
Some believed
Flora Bernal was his life partner, while others suggested Sherman had a
long-term relationship with Kenny Johnston, who lived with him for years. Even
co-stars hinted at possibilities, but Sherman never confirmed anything. He
fiercely protected his privacy, refusing to let the world define his personal
choices.
The will,
naming Flora as his “beloved partner,” only fueled debate further. Was she his
true love, or was someone else his real companion? Sherman carried the answers
with him, never giving the public what they wanted most: clarity.
The Surviving
Jeffersons and Life After Fame
Of the original cast, only a few remain today, living
quietly away from Hollywood’s spotlight:
·
Marla Gibbs (Florence Johnston): Now in her 90s, still acting, and
honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
·
Berlinda Tolbert (Jenny Willis): Retired from acting, choosing
private life with her husband.
·
Jay Hammer (Allan Willis): Found steady work in daytime soap
operas.
Their lives
stand in contrast to Sherman’s enigmatic journey, but together they carry
pieces of the show’s enduring legacy.
Legacy Beyond the
Funeral
Sherman Hemsley’s funeral may have been small,
delayed, and marked by absence, but his legacy is anything but. Through George
Jefferson, he redefined what a black sitcom lead could be—bold, complex, and
unforgettable.
The
Jeffersons was
not just entertainment. It was cultural progress. It made audiences laugh, but
it also made them reflect on race, ambition, and identity in America.
Sherman may
have chosen to live and die quietly, but the role he brought to life ensures
his name will never fade. His absence from Hollywood’s spotlight was his
choice—but his presence in history remains permanent.
Even without a
grand send-off, Sherman Hemsley had already moved on up—not just to the East
Side, but into television history itself.
Post a Comment