Sherman Hemsley Movies
Sherman Hemsley is best remembered for playing George Jefferson, the lovably pompous, little loud-mouth who made a fortune from his dry cleaning business and moved from Queens to a posh Manhattan high rise in The Jeffersons, a popular sitcom that ran ten years on the CBS network. Before becoming an actor in the late '60s, Hemsley worked for the U.S. Post Office. He started out on the New York stage where his first break came from playing Gitlow in the Broadway musical Purlie (1970). Television producer Norman Lear was impressed by Hemsley's performance and so created George Jefferson for him. Originally designed as an African-American alter ego/foil to his blustery, bigoted Archie Bunker character on the smash hit All in the Family, Hemsley's George became so popular that he and his family were given their own series in 1975.Following the series' demise, Hemsley played an egotistical, loud-mouthed deacon/lawyer at the First Community Church of Philadelphia who tried to keep the new minister, Reverend Gregory, from taking over what he viewed as his personal domain, on Amen. The series broke ground by being the first hit sitcom centered on religion and ran from 1986 to 1991. In between his series work, Hemsley occasionally played supporting roles in feature films after making his debut playing Rev. Mike in the comedy Love at First Bite (1979). Most of his subsequent films have been low-budget affairs such as Stewardess School and Club Fed. While Hemsley continues to appear frequently on television as a guest star and has even starred in such failed series as Townsend Television (1993) and Goode Behavior (1996-1997), he has yet to recapture the success he had during the '70s and '80s. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Florence (Marla Gibbs) begins to worry about her future when she realizes that she hasn't salted any money away. In hopes of securing a retirement nest egg, Florence approaches boss George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) and asks him to set up a pension plan. Not surprisingly, George turns her down -- but in keeping with past Florence-George confrontations on The Jeffersons, the last word in the matter has yet to be spoken. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
In this first episode of a two-part story, dry-cleaning entrepreneur George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) is locked in a down-and-dirty price war with the rival Big Sky Cleaners. George's strenuous efforts to surpass his competitors' sales gimmicks come acropper when his wife, Louise (Isabel Sanford), accidentally becomes Big Sky's one millionth customer. Intended as the finale of The Jeffersons' eighth season, "Laundry is a Tough Town" was instead used as the opener for season nine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
In the concluding episode of a two-part story, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley), defeated by a down-and-dirty price war with the rival Big Sky dry-cleaning firm, decides to sell out to Big Sky and retire. With nothing else to do while hanging around the house, George drives everyone crazy with his unsolicited (and never-ending) advice. Intended as the finale of The Jeffersons' eighth season, "Laundry is a Tough Town" was instead used as the opener for season nine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
Habitually unlucky in love, Florence (Marla Gibbs) is reluctant to start a new relationship with a handsome and personable policeman (Kene Holliday). Coming to the rescue is -- of all people -- Florence's boss, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley). It seems that George has "all the answers" concerning "what men want" from the women in their lives. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
Tom Willis (Franklin Cover) is jealous when his wife, Helen (Roxie Roker), agrees to go to lunch with her old boyfriend Darryl. Daydreaming, Tom imagines that he has been transported to the Old West, doing battle against "Pecos Darryl" over Helen's honor. Not surprisingly, several of the other Jeffersons cast members also show up in cowboy apparel. This was the final episode of the series' eighth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
James A. Watson Jr. guest stars as Mike Davis, a fast-talking, self-proclaimed record producer. Florence (Marla Gibbs) is thrilled when Davis offers her a lucrative record contract for herself and her gospel group. But George (Sherman Hemsley) smells a rat when Davis inveigles Florence into putting up 1,200 dollars of her own money to cut an album. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
Thoroughly disillusioned by a lack of support, financial and otherwise, Louise (Isabel Sanford) and Helen (Roxie Roker) are on the verge of giving up the neighborhood Help Center that they have so lovingly nurtured. So far as the ladies are concerned, all their efforts have come to naught, so why not close up shop? But salvation is on the way, in the unlikely form of a young and seemingly unregenerate prostitute. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
Louise (Sherman Hemsley) wants to put the love poems written by her husband, George (Sherman Hemsley), during their courting days in a fancy binding. To do this, however, she must order several copies -- copies that eventually end up in the hands of several of the Jeffersons' friends. George is angry that everyone is privy to his innermost thoughts, until a publisher shows interest in putting the poems into book form. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
When Tom Willis (Franklin Cover) makes a small fortune in the stock market thanks to financial advice provided by George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley), Florence (Marla Gibbs) is quite impressed. She prevails upon George to give her a few tips, but he is reluctant to do so since she has very little money to start with. Undaunted, Florence pools her savings with those of several other maids in the building -- leading to a humongous headache for our man Jefferson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
In the conclusion of a two-part story, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley), still posing as a mystery novelist, endeavors to solve the apparent murder of Edgar Thornton (David Downing) during a luxury cruise. The other passengers, all genuine mystery writers, put the clues together and point their fingers at the person they regard as the culprit. But amateur sleuth George manages to trump them all -- and that's only the first of several surprises. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) pays a visit to apartment 8-B, there to drop off a cleaning bill to the seductive Dede Sanderson (Sheila DeWindt). A bit later, Ralph the doorman (Ned Wertimer) passes by 8-B and overhears Ms. Sanderson in the throes of carnal passion -- calling out the name "George." Does it take a rocket scientist to figure out what happens next? Originally taped for The Jeffersons' eighth season, this episode didn't see the light of day until season nine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
Somewhere between his starring role in Blacula and his stint as the King of Cartoons on Pee-Wee's Playhouse, William Marshall took time to guest star on The Jeffersons as bestselling author Tom Blake. Both the Jeffersons (Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford) and the Willises (Franklin Cover and Roxie Roker) are aware that Blake has done time in prison for killing his girlfriend. Alas, Florence (Marla Gibbs) is blissfully unaware of Blake's past when the charismatic author asks her to go out on a date. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
In the first episode of a two-part story, Louise (Isabel Sanford) books George (Sherman Hemsley), Florence (Marla Gibbs), and herself on a murder-mystery cruise ship. To get a discount, George pretends to be a mystery novelist, just like the rest of the passengers. This pose may well prove to be his undoing when a genuine murder apparently occurs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
Although he refuses to extend a loan to Charlie the bartender (Danny Wells), George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) advises Charlie to pep up business with contests, music and (especially) scantily-clad waitresses. Charlie follows this advice, with the financial help of Tom Willis (Franklin Cover). When business begins booming, George suddenly wants a piece of the action. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
Johnny Brown guest stars as Johnny Moore, an irredeemably obnoxious jokester. Although Johnny is the best friend of George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley), George's wife, Louise (Isabel Sanford), can't stand the man. Even so, Louise accidentally invites Johnny to stay in the Jefferson apartment -- and stay, and stay, and stay.... ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1982
Ending its eighth season as the third top-rated TV series in America, The Jeffersons was assured its usual Sunday night CBS berth for a ninth season, beginning in the fall of 1981. Conspicuous by their absence were former series regulars Mike Evans (as Lionel Jefferson), Berlinda Tolbert (as Jenny Willis Jefferson) and Paul Benedict (as Harry Bentley), though both Evans and Tolbert would pop up as "guest stars" and Bentley would be seen in a smattering of episodes filmed for season eight but held back until the following year. Like many another long-running sitcom, The Jeffersons was beginning to show its age, most notably in its paucity of fresh and original story angles. The actors, too, seemed to be more subdued than in previous seasons -- especially Sherman Hemsley as George Jefferson, whose energy level had cooled considerably. The seemingly phlegmatic attitude of the series' cast and production crew spilled over into its fan following: The Jeffersons dropped from third to 12th place in the ratings, and would continue to drop throughout its final two years of existence. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
After years of sucking up to his aristocratic landlord, Mr. Whittendale, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) finally realizes that the man despises him. It seems that George is just plain too rude and crude for Whittendale's refined tastes. Thus it is that George swallows his pride, (briefly) curbs his temper, and signs up for expensive "charm lessons." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
George is determined to find out what Louise has been writing in her diary. When he finally gets his hands on the forbidden volume, George jumps to a multitude of wrong conclusions. Originally filmed for The Jeffersons' seventh season, "I've Got a Secret" was not seen until season eight; the episode represents the last appearance of actor Paul Benedict as Harry Bradley -- at least until Bradley's return to the fold in 1983. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
In the conclusion of a two-part story, the Jeffersons' former housekeeper, Florence (Marla Gibbs), loses her new job when the hotel where she is working burns to the grown. Gracious Florence is willing to step aside and let her successor Carmen (Roseanna Christiansen) keep her job with the Jeffersons, but Carmen will not hear of it. Louise Jefferson (Isabel Sanford) tries to resolve the matter by hiring both Florence and Carmen -- thereby only making a bad situation worse. "Florence Did It Different" was written to accommodate the return of series regular Marla Gibbs, whose own starring sitcom, Checking In, had just been canceled. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
This two-part Jeffersons episode was written to accommodate the return of series regular Marla Gibbs, whose own starring sitcom Checking In had just been canceled. In comparing their new housekeeper, Carmen (Roseanna Christensen), to her predecessor, Florence (Gibbs), George and Louise Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford) recall past events courtesy of clips from earlier episodes. Part one of "Florence Did It Different" ends with a surprise -- a not altogether pleasant one for Carmen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
Ever seeking out opportunities to expand his business, George (Sherman Hemsley) plans to construct a new building on a lot previously reserved for a neighborhood playground. Despite Louise's objection to this scheme, stubborn George intends to go through with it. Inevitably, he pays a personal visit to his new property -- and equally inevitably, he has a change of heart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
Again hoping to leave a legacy so that he will be remembered after his death, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) hits upon the brilliant idea of writing his memoirs. He soon abandons this silly notion in favor of a sillier one -- the creation of the "George Jefferson Museum." Listen for the voice of Peter Lawford in this episode's uproarious conclusion (uproarious to everyone but George, that is). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
In this pilot episode for the Marla Gibbs sitcom Checking In, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) tries to land a lucrative hotel dry-cleaning contract by appealing directly to the hotel's owner, Mr. Claymore (John Anderson). But Claymore is far more interested in George's sassy housekeeper, Florence Johnston (Marla Gibbs). In fact, he is so impressed that he offers Florence a job as his hotel's executive housekeeper. Originally telecast as single 60-minute episode on March 29, 1981, "Florence's New Job" has since been divided into two half-hour installments for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
In this pilot episode for the Marla Gibbs sitcom Checking In, Florence Johnston (Gibbs) has left the employ of the Jeffersons and has accepted a job as executive housekeeper in a posh downtown hotel. Almost immediately upon her arrival, Florence is faced with two unpleasant tasks: Firing an old friend, and breaking the news to her ex-boss, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley), that the hotel has turned down his bid for a dry-cleaning contract. Originally telecast as a single 60-minute episode on March 29, 1981 -- thereby bringing season seven of The Jeffersons to a close -- "Florence's New Job" has since been divided into two half-hour installments for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) becomes a local hero when he rescues a woman from a mugger. But George's gallantry may prove to be his downfall when the mugger escapes from the authorities, threatening dire consequences to the man who turned him in. Irwin Keyes makes his first series appearance as George's new bodyguard, Hugo Molejewski. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
