- Isabel Sanford
Infobox actor
name = Isabel Sanford
imagesize = 220px
caption = Sanford With co-star Sherman Hemsley on "The Jeffersons", 1975
birthname = Eloise Gwendolyn Sanford
birthdate = birth date|1917|8|29
birthplace =New York City, New York , USA
deathdate = death date and age|2004|7|9|1917|8|29
deathplace =Los Angeles, California , USAHeight- 5' 3" (1.60 m)
occupation = Actress
yearsactive = 1967-2004
awards =Hollywood Walk of Fame
7080 Hollywood Boulevard
emmyawards = Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy Series
1981 "The Jeffersons "Isabel Sanford (
August 29 ,1917 -July 9 ,2004 ) was anEmmy Award -winning American actress most known for her role as Louise "Weezy" Jefferson on theCBS television sitcom s "All in the Family " (1971–1975) and "The Jeffersons " (1975–1985).Biography
Career
Born Eloise Gwendolyn Sanford in
New York City, New York , Sanford was the first African-American actress to win a Lead ActressEmmy Award (for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1981), and has a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame .During the 1960s, Sanford worked in the theatre industry, and in 1967 she made her film debut in "
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner ", playing the critically acclaimed role of the maid Tillie Binks. She caught the attention of major Hollywood players, includingNorman Lear , who cast Sanford in the role of Louise Jefferson in "All in the Family ". She almost turned down the role after receiving a bucket of fried chicken in her dressing room. Norman Lear assured her that it was a genuine gift, and she eventually agreed to play the part. Sanford and her TV husband,Sherman Hemsley , were so popular that "The Jeffersons " was spun-off into its own series, but were mostly typecast by the roles. Such was their compatibility and credibility as a married couple that no one seemed to notice or care that Sanford was twenty years older than Hemsley.After production of "
The Jeffersons " ended in 1985, Sanford was mostly limited to guest TV appearances andcameo appearance s in movies, appearing in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ", "Dream On", "Roseanne", "Living Single ", "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper ", "In the House " and "The Steve Harvey Show ", as well as the extremely short-lived 1992 CBS "Hearts Are Wild" (similar to "Love Boat"). She also didvoice acting for "The Simpsons " in her final television appearance before her death.Sanford also appeared with
Sherman Hemsley in a series ofadvertisement s forDenny's and Old Navy.Death
Sanford died on
July 9 ,2004 ofcardiac arrest andheart disease atCedars-Sinai Medical Center inLos Angeles, California . She was 86 years old and was interred atForest Lawn Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles.For her contribution to the television industry, Isabel Sanford has a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7080Hollywood Boulevard .Filmography
Awards and nominations
References
External links
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*Persondata
NAME= Sanford, Isabel
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Sanford, Eloise Gwendolyn
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Actress
DATE OF BIRTH=August 29 ,1917
PLACE OF BIRTH=New York City, New York , USA
DATE OF DEATH=July 9 ,2004
PLACE OF DEATH=Los Angeles, California , USA
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