'The Jeffersons': The Cast Then & Now

'The Jeffersons' is the beloved sitcom that aired 11 seasons on CBS (1975 to 1985). The historic family comedy focused on an African American household, the "Jeffersons," who originally appeared on 'All in the Family' before launching their own spin-off. The show was also groundbreaking for featuring the interracial "Willis" couple, who were main cast members for all 11 seasons along with "George" (Sherman Hemsley) and "Louise Jefferson" (Isabel Sanford). 'The Jeffersons' has been off the air for over 35 years now — but what became of the stars? Click through this gallery to find out who is still surviving today and where they are now.

"Jefferson" family patriarch "George" was played by actor Sherman Hemsley for every episode of The Jeffersons. His family began as neighbours to the "Bunkers" on All in the Family, before leading their highly successful sitcom for another 11 seasons.

After The Jeffersons ended in 1985, Hemsley moved on to NBC's Amen and later became known for voice work on Dinosaurs. Born in 1938, Hemsley worked into the 21st century, making TV and film appearances as late as 2011. The icon passed away in 2012 at the age of 74.

By the side of "George" from All in the Family through 11 seasons of The Jeffersons was "Louise Jefferson" a.k.a. "Weezy." The iconic character was played by actress Isabel Sanford.

"Louise" was Sanford's best-known role and it was a historic one: for the part, she earned what was only the second Emmy win by a Black actress. In the decades after The Jeffersons, she shifted to TV guest roles and her own short-lived sitcom. She was also celebrated with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2004, the same year she passed away at age 86.

After "George" and "Louise," family maid "Florence" was the third-most regular cast member across the show's 11 seasons. The "Jeffersons" hired the beloved yet back-talking maid in the pilot episode and she stayed with the show for its full run.

Now 93 years old, "Florence" actress Marla Gibbs is a living legend who continues to act today. Since The Jeffersons, Gibbs has become a prolific actress in TV guest roles and movies, including 2019's El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. In 2020, she was seen on The Last O.G. and One Day at a Time.

On The Jeffersons, Roxie Roker portrayed "Helen," the best friend of "Louise" and the longtime wife of "Tom Willis." She and "Tom" were one of TV's first interracial couples and were regulars for all 11 Jeffersons seasons.

Apart from The Jeffersons—her best-known TV show—Roker is also known as a famous mother. She and TV producer Sy Kravitz were married for 23 years and had one child together: rock musician Lenny Kravitz. Roxie lived to be 66 years old, passing away in 1995. Here, she's seen in a photo from that year with her son, Lenny.

Roxie Roker's on-screen husband, "Tom Willis," was played by actor Franklin Cover. On The Jeffersons, the "Willises" also had two children, "Allan" and "Jenny"—who married "Lionel Jefferson."

After The Jeffersons, actor Franklin Cover continued to appear in guest roles on hit TV shows, such as The Love Boat, ER, and Columbo. He also had a support role in 1986's Wall Street, but The Jeffersons remained his best-known work. The star passed on in 2006 at the age of 77.