Isabel Sanford dead at 86

Jul 12, 2004 by Ian Evans

Isabel Sanford, best-loved for her work as “Weezie,” Louise Jefferson on the sitcom The Jeffersons died Friday at the age of 86. She had been in LA’s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center since July 4th.

Sanford played opposite Sherman Hemsley for a decade when The Jefferson’s spun off from All in the Family in 1975. In 1981, she became the first black woman to receive an Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.

Jeffersons creator Norman Lear, who joined her in January when her Walk of Fame star was unveiled, said, “we have lost one of the most naturally funny performers and great human beings.”