What was Sherman Hemsley’s Net Worth?

Sherman Hemsley, the American actor, had a net worth of $300 thousand at the time of his death in 2012. He was best known for his role as George Jefferson on the CBS television sitcoms “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons.”

Later in his career, he starred on the NBC sitcom “Amen” and had a voice role on the ABC puppet sitcom “Dinosaurs.” Hemsley also appeared in several films, including “Ghost Fever,” “Mr. Nanny,” and “Screwed.”

Hemsley passed away at the age of 74 at his home in El Paso, Texas, on July 24, 2012.

Sherman Hemsley’s Bankruptcy and Financial Struggles

Sherman Hemsley filed for bankruptcy in 1999 after failing to pay off a $1 million loan and a $15,500 tax bill owed to the IRS. He reportedly spent a significant amount of his net worth producing the movie “Ghost Fever” which performed poorly at the box office, contributing to his financial troubles. To clear his debts, he sold the rights to his residuals to two individuals. However, he was eventually able to raise enough money to withdraw the bankruptcy filing and settle his debts.

Despite his success on TV, at the time of his death, Sherman was living in a modest $150,000 home in El Paso, Texas.

Sherman Hemsley’s Early Life and Education

Sherman Hemsley was born on February 1, 1938, in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a single mother who worked in a lamp factory. He didn’t meet his father until he was 14 years of age. Hemsley was educated at Central High School and Bok Technical High School before he dropped out after the tenth grade to join the US Air Force. He served in the Air Force for four years.

Sherman Hemsley’s Career in Acting

After leaving the Air Force, Hemsley returned to Philadelphia and worked for the US Postal Service while attending the Academy of Dramatic Arts at night. He performed with local theater groups before moving to New York City to join the Negro Ensemble Company and later, the Urban Arts Company. Hemsley made his Broadway debut in the musical “Purlie” and also appeared in “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope” in Toronto and San Francisco.

Sherman Hemsley’s Role on “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons”

In 1971, Norman Lear offered Sherman Hemsley the role of George Jefferson on his new sitcom, “All in the Family,” but Hemsley was initially reluctant to leave Broadway. He eventually joined the cast two years later and played the irascible black counterpart to Carroll O’Connor’s Archie Bunker. Hemsley appeared on “All in the Family” until 1975, at which time his character and family became the stars of the spinoff sitcom “The Jeffersons.”

On “The Jeffersons,” George, his wife Louise, and their son Lionel moved from their working-class Queens neighborhood to a high-rise Manhattan apartment. The show was a huge hit, running for 11 seasons through 1985 and becoming one of the longest-running sitcoms in television history. Hemsley earned both Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations for his work on the show.

Sherman Hemsley’s Television Career

Sherman Hemsley rose to fame as George Jefferson on “The Jeffersons,” but he also made guest appearances on shows like “The Love Boat” and “Fantasy Island.” He later starred in “Amen” and was the voice of Triceratops Bradley P. Richfield on “Dinosaurs.” Hemsley also appeared on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Designing Women,” and “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.” He played con artist Willie Goode on “Goode Behavior” and had a recurring role on “The Hughleys.” Hemsley’s later credits include “Up, Up and Away” and “Clunkers,” as well as a stint on “The Surreal Life.”

Sherman Hemsley’s Film Career

Sherman Hemsley, primarily known for his television roles, appeared in several films during his career. He made his big-screen debut in the 1979 horror comedy “Love at First Bite” and later starred in “Stewardess School” and “Ghost Fever.” In the early 90s, Hemsley appeared in “Club Fed” and “Mr. Nanny,” and later in “Home of Angels,” “Sprung,” “Casper: A Spirited Beginning,” and “Senseless.” In the new millennium, Hemsley was part of the ensemble cast of “Screwed” and played a pastor in the direct-to-DVD sex comedy sequel “American Pie Presents: The Book of Love” in 2009.

Sherman Hemsley’s Private Life and Death

Sherman Hemsley, known for playing extroverted characters on television, was actually very introverted and kept his private life to himself. He never married or had children.

Hemsley passed away from cancer at his home in El Paso, Texas in 2012 at the age of 74. His will named Flora Enchinton, a longtime friend and business partner, as the sole beneficiary.

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