'The Jeffersons': The Cast Then & Now

'The Jeffersons' cast

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 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.

Sherman Hemsley as "George Jefferson"

"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.

Sherman Hemsley

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.

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.

Marla Gibbs as "Florence Johnston"

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.

Marla Gibbs

Now 89 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.

Roxie Roker as "Helen Willis"

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.

Roxie Roker

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.

The Jeffersons is the beloved and historic CBS sitcom that aired 11 seasons from 1975 to 1985. As a family comedy, it was groundbreaking for its focus on an African American household and its depiction of an interracial relationship and other social topics.

Of course, the show starred the "Jeffersons," with married couple "George" (Sherman Hemsley) and "Louise" (Isabel Sanford) appearing in all 253 episodes of the show. They had a son, "Lionel" (two different actors) who married "Jenny Willis" (Berlinda Tolbert). The mixed-race "Willis" family were also regulars for the entirety of the series.