Sherman Alexander Hemsley started his acting career in local Philadelphia stage productions followed by Broadway shows. In 1973, he joined the cast of the popular sitcom ‘All in the Family’ in a recurring supporting role as ‘George Jefferson’ (1973-1978). Thereafter, he reprised the role as the protagonist, in the spinoff series ‘The Jeffersons’ (1975-1985), which ran for 11 seasons, fetching ‘Golden Globe’ and ‘Emmy’ nominations for Hemsley.
He next appeared in the romantic-comedy drama series ‘The Love Boat’ (1977-1983). Hemsley made his film debut as ‘Rev. Mike’ in the comedy horror film ‘Love at First Bite’ (1979), followed by a lead role in the horror-comedy film ‘Ghost Fever’ (1987). He played ‘Gitlow Judson’ in the TV movie ‘Purlie’ (1989), which was based on the musical of the same name.
Hemsley starred as ‘Deacon Ernest Frye’ in the sitcom ‘Amen’ (1986-1991), which was set in his hometown Philadelphia. He appeared as a guest star in several TV-series, including ‘ER,’ ‘Fantasy Island,’ ‘The Twilight Zone,’ ‘227,’ ‘Burke’s Law,’ ‘Designing Women,’ ‘Sister Sister,’ ‘All That,’ ‘Family Matters,’ and more.
Hemsley reprised his ‘George Jefferson’ role in a play based on ‘The Jeffersons,’ and as a guest on several TV series, including ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,’ ‘In Living Color,’ ‘Tyler Perry’s House of Payne,’ and several commercials. The TV films he appeared in include ‘Alice in Wonderland’ (1985), ‘Camp Cucamonga’ (1990), ‘Up Up & Away’ (2000).
Hemsley provided voice as ‘B.P. Richfield’ in the live-action puppet series ‘Dinosaurs’ (1991-1994), as ‘Mr. Ed’ in TV-film ‘Mister Ed’ (2004), and as himself in the animated comedy ‘Family Guy.’ In 2006, he appeared in the reality TV series ‘The Surreal Life.’
Hemsley featured as ‘Willie Goode’ in the sitcom ‘Goode Behavior’ (1996-1997) and then, in the sitcom ‘The Hughleys’ (1999-2000). The films he appeared in include comedy ‘Club Fed’ (1990), Mr. Nanny’ (1993), ‘Home of Angels’ (1994), comedy-film ‘Sprung’ (1997), fantasy-comedy ‘Casper: A Spirited Beginning’ (1997), buddy-comedy ‘Senseless’ (1998), ‘Mafia’ (1998) and starred in the comedy film ‘Screwed’ (2000). His last film appearance came in the sex comedy ‘American Pie Presents: The Book of Love’ (2009).
Senseless is a romantic comedy film which tells the story of a college student who becomes a guinea pig for an experimental drug that is supposed to heighten all five senses. However, things turn complicated because he overdoses, and he becomes senseless, as only four of his five senses operate at a particular time.
Tired of the constant ill-treatment by his boss, a chauffeur decides to kidnap her beloved pet dog, and hold it for ransom. However, things get extremely complicated when the dog escapes back to his boss, and everyone believes that it is the chauffer who is kidnapped.
This comedy crime film is a spoof of the famous film The Godfather. It tells the story of Vincenzo, the clumsy son of a Sicilian postman, who rises to become a mafia boss.
