Lynn Hamilton, actress on 'Sanford and Son' and 'The Waltons,' dies at 95
FILE - Actress Lynn Hamilton attends the 40th Anniversary Reunion Of ''The Waltons'' at Landmark Loew's - Jersey City on December 2, 2011 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)
Lynn Hamilton, best known for her roles in "Sanford and Son" and "The Waltons," died on June 19. She was 95.
According to a Facebook post on her page from her former manager and publicist, Rev. Calvin Carson, Hamilton died of natural causes at her home in Chicago.
What they're saying:
"Her passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations," Carson said.
Lynn Hamilton’s life
The backstory:
Born Alzenia Lynn Hamilton, she was born in Mississippi and moved to Chicago Heights when she was 12. She attended Bloom High School. She gained acting experience at Goodman Theatre, according to Variety.
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Hamilton graduated from the Goodman School of Drama Theater as the only Black actor in her class, "so there weren’t any roles for me," she said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Hamilton married poet and playwright Frank Jenkins in 1964. They remained married until he died at 89 in 2014 — she moved back to Chicago that year.
Lynn Hamilton’s career
In addition to playing Redd Foxx’s girlfriend on "Sanford and Son" and Miss Verdie on "The Waltons," Hamilton also starred as Vivian Potter on the 1989-91 NBC daytime drama "Generations," and as Cissie Johnson in the nighttime soap opera "Dangerous Women."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, she played Cousin Georgia Anderson on the 1979 miniseries "Roots: The Next Generations" and had recurring roles as the snippy Emma Johnson on NBC’s "227" and on ABC’s "The Practice."
She appeared in several movies, including John Cassavetes’ "Shadows" in 1959, "Brother John" in 1971, "Buck and the Preacher" in 1972, "Lady Sings the Blues" in 1972, "Leadbelly" in 1976, and "Legal Eagles" in 1986.
The Source: This report includes information from Lynn Hamilton's former manager and publicist, Rev. Calvin Carson, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. FOX 32 Chicago contributed.