What is Sherman Hemsley?
{{infobox person | name = Sherman Hemsley | image = Sherman Helmsley 1239819.jpg | image_size = 200px | caption = Hemsley in December 1999 | birth_name = Sherman Alexander Hemsley | birth_date = {{birth date|1938|2|1|mf=y|}} | birth_place = [[Philadelphia|South Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[United States|U.S.]] | death_date = {{death date and age|2012|7|24|1938|2|1|mf=y|}} | death_place = [[El Paso, Texas]], U.S. | resting_place = [[Fort Bliss National Cemetery]] | death_cause = [[Lung cancer|Lung tumor]] caused by Superior Vena Cava Syndrome | nationality = American | occupation = Actor | years_active = 1968&ndash;2011 | notable_works = '''George Jefferson''' in ''The Jeffersons'',<br/>'''Deacon Ernest Frye''' in ''Amen'' | spouse = | signature = ShermanHemsleySignature.svg }} '''Sherman Alexander Hemsley''' (February 1, 1938 &ndash; July 24, 2012) was an [[United States|American]] actor. ==Early life== Hemsley was born on February 1, 1938 in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]] to and was raised in [[Philadelphia|South Philadelphia]] by his mother, who was a factory worker.<ref>{{cite news|last=Schaffer|first=Michael D.|title='Jeffersons' star Sherman Hemsley dies at 74|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/20120724_Sherman_Hemsley__TVs_George_Jefferson__dies_at_74.html|accessdate=14 August 2012| newspaper= Philadelphia Inquirer|date=24 July 2012}}</ref> He left school to join the Air Force, where he served in for four years. Later he returned to Philadelphia where he worked in a post office during the day and at night he went to acting classes. Later he moved to New York still working for the post office during the day and at night he went to acting classes. ==Career== Hemsley's career began when he starred in a 1970 Broadway play in ''Purlie'' as Gitlow. Hemsley's television career began in 1970 in the television series ''All in the Family''. And his first movie was in the 1979 movie ''Love at First Bite''. Hemsley is mostly known as f