Hemsley, Sherman

Hemsley, Sherman

(1938– ) television comedian; born in Philadelphia, Pa. Originally a stage actor, he appeared on Broadway in Purlie (1970). He was a regular on All in the Family (1973–75), then starred in CBS's spin-off show, The Jeffersons (1975–85), about a black middle-class family. He played the black deacon in the National Broadcasting Company's comedy, Amen (1986–91).