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NBC News
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Lynn Hamilton, ‘Sanford and Son' and ‘The Waltons' Actor, Dies at 95
Actor Lynn Hamilton, who was best known for her characters in sitcom 'Sanford and Son' and historical drama 'The Waltons,' has died. She was 95. A representative for the late actor, Calvin Carson, shared the news of her death in a joint statement posted on Facebook. He said Hamilton died on Thursday, June 19, 'surrounded by her grandchildren, loved ones and caregivers.' 'With profound gratitude and admiration, we celebrate the extraordinary life of iconic actress Alzenia 'Lynn' Hamilton-Jenkins, whose remarkable legacy continues to uplift and inspire,' Carson said. 'Her illustrious career, spanning over five decades, has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment, motivating audiences across the globe through her work as a model, stage, film, and television actress.' He went on to note her performance in 'Sanford and Son' as nurse Donna Harris, as well as some of her other projects, like the comedy series 'Dangerous Women,' historic soap opera 'Generations' and miniseries 'Roots: The Next Generations.' Hamilton starred alongside Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams and Richard Pryor in 'Lady Sings the Blues,' as well. 'Lynn was also the recipient of the prestigious NAACP Award, a testament to her outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry,' Carson added. The rep then noted that Hamilton frequently collaborated with her late husband, playwright Frank Jenkins, during her career. Carson concluded, 'Her passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations.' Hamilton landed her first onscreen role in 1958 in the film 'Shadows,' according to IMDb. She appeared on shows 'Gunsmoke,' 'Good Times' and 'The Young and the Restless' in addition to her recurring roles on 'Sanford and Son' and 'The Waltons,' in which she played Verdie Foster. Over the last two decades, she had roles on 'Sister, Sister,' 'Moesha' and 'The Practice.' Her final role was on 'Cold Case' in 2009, per IMDb.
New York Post
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Lynn Hamilton, ‘Sanford and Son' and ‘The Waltons' actress, dead at 95
Lynn Hamilton, the actress best known for her roles in the NBC sitcom 'Sanford and Son' and the CBS historical drama series 'The Waltons,' has died. She was 95. Hamilton died Thursday of natural causes in her Chicago home, according to her former manager and publicist, Rev. Calvin Carson. 'With profound gratitude and admiration, we celebrate the extraordinary life of iconic actress Alzenia 'Lynn' Hamilton-Jenkins, whose remarkable legacy continues to uplift and inspire,' Carson wrote on Facebook. 7 Lynn Hamilton in 'Dangerous Women.' Courtesy Everett Collection 7 Lynn Hamilton attends the 40th anniversary reunion of 'The Waltons' in Jersey City, New Jersey in 2011. Getty Images 'Her illustrious career, spanning over five decades, has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment, motivating audiences across the globe through her work as a model, stage, film, and television actress,' the statement added. Hamilton, according to Carson, was 'surrounded by her grandchildren, loved ones and caregivers' when she passed away. 7 Redd Foxx, Lynn Hamilton in 'Sanford and Son.' Courtesy Everett Collection Born on April 25, 1930 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, Hamilton moved to Chicago Heights when she was 11 years old and studied acting at Goodman Theater. After relocating to New York in 1956, Hamilton made her Broadway debut in the play 'Only in America' and her film debut in John Cassavetes' 1959 drama 'Shadows.' 7 Lynn Hamilton in the ABC TV movie 'A Dream for Christmas.' ABC Hamilton first appeared on 'Sanford and Son' in the seventh episode as a landlady, before she was cast in a recurring role as Donna Harris, Fred Sanford's girlfriend and later fiancée. In a 2009 interview, Hamilton said that producers were 'so impressed' with her scene as the landlady that they decided to create the role of Donna for her. 7 Lynn Hamilton, Redd Fox in 'Sanford and Son.' Courtesy Everett Collection 'I among, I don't know, 100 other actresses in Hollywood auditioned,' she recalled. 'We had a screen test … He was impressed with my experience. He always said, 'You're so dignified and I need somebody dignified opposite me.' ' 7 Lynn Hamilton, Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson in 'Sanford and Son.' Courtesy Everett Collection Hamilton starred on 'Sanford and Son' from 1972 to 1977. During that time, she made her first appearance as Verdie on 'The Waltons,' a role that lasted from 1973 to 1981. In addition, Hamilton made appearances in 'The Golden Girls,' 'Dangerous Women,' 'Generations,' 'NYPD Blue,' 'Port Charles,' 'The Practice,' 'Moesha' and 'Judging Amy.' 7 Lynn Hamilton, Hari Rhodes in the ABC tv movie 'A Dream for Christmas.' ABC Her other film credits included 'Leadbelly' (1976), 'The Jesse Owens Story' (1984), 'Legal Eagles' (1986), 'The Vanishing' (1993) and 'Beah: A Black Woman Speaks' (2003). Hamilton's final acting gig was in one episode of 'Cold Case' in 2009, according to her IMDb. Hamilton was married to poet and playwright Frank Jenkins from 1964 until his death in 2014. The pair collaborated on various theater productions including the play 'Nobody: The Bert Williams Story.' Carson called Hamilton and Jenkins' partnership 'a shining example of creativity, love, and dedication.'
