TV Land To Pay Tribute To Sherman Hemsley With `Jeffersons' Marathon

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

(UPDATED) TV Land and TV One will honor the work of comedic actor Sherman Hemsley with weekend marathons of The Jeffersons. 

TV Land Saturday will air a four-hour marathon of the 1970s comedy series beginning at 12 noon. TV Land's Facebook page will also pay tribute to Hemsley, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 74. Hemsley is best known for his portrayal of George Jefferson on the Norman Lear-produced The Jeffersons sitcom which ran for 10 years through 1985. Jefferson also played a deacon/lawyer in the sitcom Amen from 1986 to 1991.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sherman Hemsley," said Larry Jones, President of TV Land in a statement. "Sherman was part of the TV Land family and his many contributions to television will be treasured. He will be sorely missed."

TV One will air a The Jeffersons marathon Friday from 8:00 p.m. to midnight, as well as a marathon of Amen on Aug. 3  from 8 p.m. to 11p.m., said network officials. 

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.