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The television industry loses two stars of classic series Tuesday
Published: 7/25/2012 10:22 AM
Last Modified: 7/25/2012 10:27 AM


In this May 6, 1998 file photo, Isabel Sanford, left, and Sherman Hemsley, stars of the television sitcom "The Jeffersons," pose for a photograph in New York. Hemsley was found dead in his home Tuesday. KATHY WILLENS/AP Photo, File


This undated photo, released by his daughter, Katherine Thorp, shows Chad Everett, the star of the 1970s TV series "Medical Center" who died Tuesday. COURTESY/Katherine Thorp/AP Photo

TV lost two stars from classic series on Tuesday.

Sherman Hemsley, 74, who starred as Harlem businessman George Jefferson in "The Jeffersons," was found dead in his El Paso, Texas, home Tuesday, according to tmz.com.

The web site reported he was discovered by his nurse. A statement from police said no foul play is suspected and the exact cause of death is pending.

Hemsley made his Broadway debut in "Purlie" and started his network TV career as Jefferson, next door neighbor to Archie and Edith Bunker on "All in Family."

The irascible character was so popular it was spun off into its own hit series "The Jeffersons" and aired 1975-1985, earning huge ratings. Hemsley was Emmy and Golden Globe nominated for his role. Helmsley also starred in TV's "Amen" and as a singer released the single "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" in 1989, according to the entertainment website.

He reportedly had no wife or children.

Chad Everett, 75, who starred as Dr. Joe Gannon on "Medical Center," died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles, according to an AP report. He had suffered from lung cancer for the last 18 months, one of his daughters, Katherine Thorp, reported zap2it.com.

Everett, who had been acting for several years before he landed the starring role on "Medical Center," starred in that series from 1969-1976. It earned big ratings and two Golden Globe nominations, according to zap2it.com.

He also had a role in "Melrose Place," starred in "McKenna" in the mid-1990s, made numerous appearances on "Murder, She Wrote" and co-starred in "Mulholland Dr." His last television appearance was on ABC's "Castle" last February.

Everett is survived by two daughters and six grandchildren, according to the website.

Here's the opening of "The Jeffersons."



This is a clip from "Medical Center."





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Rita Sherrow grew up with TV. Yes, it was the ever-present “sister” from another techno mother. At first look, it was instant "Like." From then on, the TV had to be on in every room while she studied, elementary school through college. An Air Force brat, she attended school in three states (Oklahoma, Montana and Georgia) and two foreign countries (Germany and Bermuda) and graduated from Broken Arrow High School and the University of Tulsa with a degree in journalism/advertising. She first interned in the advertising world but, when a J-School professor (who also covered politics for the Tulsa World) offered her an internship at the newspaper, she took him up on it. The rest is history. She has served as bridal editor, senior features writer for the women’s section, food editor and is television editor of the Tulsa World. In addition to writing about TV shows and interviewing the stars for “Scene” stories, she also writes a TV column for Weekend and produces the Sunday TV World listings magazine.

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