For those of us that grew up watching The Jeffersons on CBS from '74 to '85 or have really enjoyed it in re-runs,Isabel Sanford who played Louise Jefferson (or Weezie!) as George called her on the show,passed away Monday night of natural causes. She was 86.
While most people point to Sherman Hemsley as the main star of the show,it should never be forgotten that without her playing (at age 53) Louise on All In The Family as Lionel's mother and The Bunkers' neighbor,The Jeffersons may never have happened.
She was the first African-American woman in a sitcom that played a strong,no nonsense mother & wife. Even though by the end of the series that had faded a bit. The show was a ground breaking series with not only a black man & woman in the lead roles but also for the inter-racial marriage of their friends the Willis's.
I remember watching as early as 1975 and even though I was too young for the stronger plotlines,the comedy never escaped me. Isabel was just as funny as Mr. Hensley,she truly held her own. She was last seen on TV in the 90's making guest appearences on Fresh Prince Of Bel Air (playing Louise and George with Sherman) and the FOX sitcom Living Single.
When the show was straight up cancelled in 1985,she was very public about the fact that they never had a farewell show and that CBS had done all they could to make sure the ratings went down (CBS moved them from Sunday to Tuesday and an odd time slot.)
Here's to you Isabel Sanford aka Mrs. Jefferson. You're one of many who helped TV change for the better.
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"A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm."
- Borderstone
