Sanford and Son, The Waltons actress dead at…
Lynn Hamilton, the actress best recognized for her roles in the NBC sitcom “Sanford and Son” and the CBS historic drama collection “The Waltons,” has died. She was 95.
Hamilton died Thursday of natural causes in her Chicago home, according to her former supervisor and publicist, Rev. Calvin Carson.
“With profound gratitude and admiration, we celebrate the extraordinary life of iconic actress Alzenia “Lynn” Hamilton-Jenkins, whose exceptional legacy continues to uplift and encourage,” Carson wrote on Facebook.
Lynn Hamilton in “Dangerous Women.” Courtesy Everett Collection
Lynn Hamilton attends the fortieth 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 assertion added.
Hamilton, according to Carson, was “surrounded by her grandchildren, loved ones and caregivers” when she handed away.
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Born on April 25, 1930 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, Hamilton moved to Chicago Heights when she was 11 years outdated and studied appearing at Goodman Theater.
After relocating to New York in 1956, Hamilton made her Broadway debut in the play “Only in America” and her movie debut in John Cassavetes’ 1959 drama “Shadows.”
Lynn Hamilton in the ABC TV film “A Dream for Christmas.” ABC
Hamilton first appeared on “Sanford and Son” in the seventh episode as a landlady, before she was solid in a recurring position as Donna Harris, Fred Sanford’s girlfriend and later fiancée.
In a 2009 interview, Hamilton stated that producers have been “so impressed” with her scene as the landlady that they determined to create the position of Donna for her.
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 take a look at … He was impressed with my expertise. He all the time stated, ‘You’re so dignified and I need someone dignified reverse me.’ “
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 look as Verdie on “The Waltons,” a position 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.”
Lynn Hamilton, Hari Rhodes in the ABC television film “A Dream for Christmas.” ABC
Her different movie credit included “Leadbelly” (1976), “The Jesse Owens Story” (1984), “Legal Eagles” (1986), “The Vanishing” (1993) and “Beah: A Black Woman Speaks” (2003).
Hamilton’s closing appearing 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 numerous theater productions including the play “Nobody: The Bert Williams Story.”
Carson referred to as Hamilton and Jenkins’ partnership “a shining example of creativity, love, and dedication.”
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