The Jeffersons Star Sherman Hemsley Dead at 74

Sherman Hemsley, best known for playing the iconic TV character George Jefferson, has died at his El Paso, Texas, home at the age of 74, according to TMZ.com. The cause of death is currently unknown.

Hemsley originated the role of the brash George Jefferson on the 1970s sitcom All in the Family.  The character was subsequently featured in the spin-off The Jeffersons, which aired from 1975 to 1985 and co-starred the late Isabel Sanford as Jefferson's wife, Louise, a.k.a. "Weezy."

Hemsley has many other TV credits to his name, including the church-themed '80s comedy Amen.