Latest news with #SanfordAndSon
Fox News
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
‘Sanford and Son' and ‘The Waltons' actress Lynn Hamilton dead at 95
Lynn Hamilton, the actress known for her roles in "Sanford and Son" and "The Waltons," has died. She was 95. Hamilton died due to natural causes on Thursday in Chicago, Illinois, the actress's former publicist Rev. Calvin Carson confirmed to Fox News Digital. Carson also issued a statement on behalf of Hamilton's family in an Instagram post, in which he noted that she had passed away while "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," the statement read. "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." "Her passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations," the statement read. In addition to her recurring roles on "Sanford and Son" and "The Waltons," Hamilton also made notable appearances on television shows and soap operas, including "Roots: The Next Generation," "The Golden Girls," "Generations," "Dangerous Women," "227" and "The Practice." Born on April 25, 1930, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, Hamilton grew up in Chicago Heights, Illinois. She graduated from the Goodman School of Drama Theater and launched her career in Chicago's community theater scene. Hamilton later moved to New York, where she made her Broadway debut in 1959's "Only in America." She continued acting on Broadway with roles in the plays "The Cool World," "Face of a Hero" and "Tambourines to Glory." The actress spent three years performing with the New York Shakespeare Festival and became a member of President Kennedy's cultural exchange program. While working with the program, she toured around the world, performing in the plays "The Miracle Worker" and "The Skin of Our Teeth." Hamilton joined the Seattle Repertory Theatre in 1966. She made her on-screen debut in John Cassavetes' improvisational film "Shadows." Hamilton went on to make guest appearances in TV series including "Room 222," "Mannix," "The Bill Cosby Show," "Gunsmoke," "Hawaii Five-O" and "Starsky & Hutch." Hamilton made her first appearance on "Sanford and Son" when she played a landlady in the show's seventh episode in February 1972. She was recast in the recurring role of nurse Donna Harris, who becomes the girlfriend and fiancée of series lead Demond Wilson (Lamont Sanford). Hamilton played the role of Donna from 1972 to 1977. The actress portrayed Verdie Grant Foster, a neighbor of the Walton family, in "The Waltons" from 1973 to 1981. Other TV credits include guest roles in "Moesha," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "NYPD Blue," "Port Charles" and "Judging Amy." Hamilton made her final on-screen appearance in an episode of "Cold Case" in 2009. Hamilton also appeared in the movies "Hangup," "Leadbelly," "The Jesse Owens Story," "Lady Sings the Blues," "Legal Eagles," "The Vanishing" and "Beah: A Black Woman Speaks." Carson's statement noted: "Throughout her remarkable career, Lynn frequently collaborated with her husband, Frank S. Jenkins, on various theater productions, including the acclaimed play 'Nobody, The Bert Williams Story.' Their partnership was a shining example of creativity, love, and dedication." Hamilton was married to Jenkins, a playwright and poet, from 1964 until his death in 2014.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Sanford and Son and The Waltons star dies aged 95 as heartbroken family pay tribute to ‘extraordinary life'
GOLDEN Girls and The Waltons star Lynn Hamilton has died aged 95. The actress died of natural causes on Thursday at her home in Chicago. 2 The star's former manager and publicist Rev. Calvin Carson announced the tragic news on social media. He said: "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. "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." Hamilton was known for her roles including Donna Harris, Fred Sanford's girlfriend and later fiance on the sitcom Sanford and Son. She appeared in this between 1972 to 1977. The star also played Verdie Grant Foster in The Waltons from 1973 to 1981. In the 1979 miniseries Roots: The Next Generations, she played Cousin Georgia Anderson. Hamilton has also appeared in various other series like Good Times, 227, Dangerous Women, and The Golden Girls. .
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'The Waltons' Actress Dies at Her Chicago Home
'The Waltons' Actress Dies at Her Chicago Home originally appeared on Parade. A well-known TV actress has died at her Chicago home at the age of 95. Lynn Hamilton, who had recurring roles on The Waltons and Sanford & Son, died Thursday, June 19, at the age of 95, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Hamilton played Redd Foxx's character's girlfriend Donna Harris on Sanford & Son, and the neighbor Ms. Verdie Grant Foster on The Waltons. Additionally, she starred as matriarch Vivian Potter on the NBC soap opera Generations alongside Kelly Rutherford, Joan Pringle, Jonelle Allen and the late Kristoff St. John. Hamilton also starred on the short-lived primetime drama Dangerous Women alongside Katherine Justice and Casper Van Dien. In later years, Hamilton had recurring roles on 227, Sunset Beach and The Practice. She also appeared on such shows as Cold Case, Judging Amy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, NYPD Blue, Murphy Brown and The Golden Girls. In a 2009 interview, Hamilton said that the team behind Sanford & Son was "so impressed" with her day-player role as a landlord that they wrote the part of Foxx's girlfriend just for her. "A month or two later, they decided to give Fred Sanford a girlfriend,' said Hamilton, adding, "[They] needed somebody dignified opposite him; he was aware of his earthliness, shall we say." According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hamilton was born April 25, 1930, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, but her family moved to Chicago when she was 4. She moved to New York in 1956 and appeared on Broadway in Only in America, The Cool World, Face of a Hero and Tambourines to Glory. She joined the Seattle Repertory Theatre in 1966. Hamilton is preceded in death by her husband, Frank Jenkins, who was a poet and playwright. They married in 1964 and were together until his death in 2014. 'The Waltons' Actress Dies at Her Chicago Home first appeared on Parade on Jun 21, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Actress Lynn Hamilton, Redd Foxx's girlfriend on Sanford and Son, has passed away
Editor's note: This story is available as a result of a partnership between WFTV and The Hollywood Reporter. Lynn Hamilton, the accomplished actress known for her roles on 'Sanford and Son' and 'The Waltons,' has passed away at 95. Rev. Calvin Carson, Hamilton's former manager and publicist, confirmed her death to The Hollywood Reporter. Hamilton passed away of natural causes on Thursday at her Chicago home. Hamilton was best known for portraying Donna Harris, the girlfriend of Redd Foxx's character on the popular sitcom 'Sanford and Son.' She also gained recognition for her role as Miss Verdie on 'The Waltons,' showcasing her versatility as an actress. Hamilton also made a name for herself with her roles on 'Sanford and Son' and 'The Waltons,' and she played Vivian Potter on the NBC daytime drama 'Generations' from 1989 to 1991. The show faced tough competition from CBS's 'The Young and the Restless,' which dominated the ratings during its run. Her debut on 'Sanford and Son' came in February 1972, where she initially played a landlady in the show's seventh episode. Her performance impressed the producers, casting her as Donna Harris, a registered nurse and the dignified counterpart to Foxx's character. Lynn Hamilton's contributions to television left a lasting impact. Her roles continue to be celebrated by fans and peers alike. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Sanford And Son actress dead at 95: Lynn Hamilton passes away 48 years after starring on beloved sitcom
Lynn Hamilton - who was known for her role as Donna Harris on the beloved 70s sitcom Sanford And Son - has passed away at the age of 95. The actress died of natural causes on Thursday, June 19 and was 'surrounded by her loved ones.' Her death was also confirmed by her former manager and publicist Rev. Calvin Carson who shared a statement to Instagram and reflected on the late star's 'extraordinary life.' Hamilton began her decades-long career in the industry in the late 50s, and also made appearances in shows such as The Waltons, Gunsmoke and The Rockford Files. Alongside photos of Lynn from over the years, Carson penned: '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. '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 then remembered some of her 'captivating performances' in projects including Sanford And Sons, Dangerous Women and Roots: The Next Generation. Carson added, 'Throughout her remarkable career, Lynn frequently collaborated with her husband, Frank S. Jenkins, on various theater productions.' Some of the 'acclaimed' plays they worked on together included Nobody and The Bert Williams Story. 'Their partnership was a shining example of creativity, love, and dedication,' her former manager expressed. In conclusion, Carson said that Hamilton's 'passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations.'
