Sherman Hemsley has passed away. He was 74. Sherman is best known for playing George Jefferson on the popular African-American sitcom, The Jeffersons. He also stared in other TV shows, All in the Family and Amen.

Hemsley dropped out of high school to join the Air Force. Born in South Philadelphia, he returned there to work for the U.S. Postal Service and to take acting classes at night. He moved to New York where he appeared on Broadway before scoring a role on All in the Family.

People magazine reports: “Less than two years after Hemsley made his television debut, he and All in the Family costar Isabel Sanford were given their own spin-off in The Jeffersons. The series earned Hemsley Emmy and Golden Globe nominations in 1984 and 1985 respectively.”

Sherman was a professional singer and he released an R&B album, Dance, in 1992

He would occasionally reprise his popular roles, making guest appearances through the late ’90s and early 2000s. He leaves behind no wife or children.

The Jeffersons was a favorite show in my family and for many other members of the African-American community. Check out Sherman’s crazy dancing below!

R.I.P.