Lynn Hamilton, ‘Sanford and Son' and ‘The Waltons' actress, dead at 95

Lynn Hamilton, the actress best known for her roles in the NBC sitcom 'Sanford and Son' and the CBS historical drama series 'The Waltons,' has died. She was 95.
Hamilton died Thursday of natural causes in her Chicago home, according to her former manager and publicist, Rev. Calvin Carson.
'With profound gratitude and admiration, we celebrate the extraordinary life of iconic actress Alzenia 'Lynn' Hamilton-Jenkins, whose remarkable legacy continues to uplift and inspire,' Carson wrote on Facebook.
7 Lynn Hamilton in 'Dangerous Women.'
Courtesy Everett Collection
7 Lynn Hamilton attends the 40th anniversary reunion of 'The Waltons' in Jersey City, New Jersey in 2011.
Getty Images
'Her illustrious career, spanning over five decades, has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment, motivating audiences across the globe through her work as a model, stage, film, and television actress,' the statement added.
Hamilton, according to Carson, was 'surrounded by her grandchildren, loved ones and caregivers' when she passed away.
7 Redd Foxx, Lynn Hamilton in 'Sanford and Son.'
Courtesy Everett Collection
Born on April 25, 1930 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, Hamilton moved to Chicago Heights when she was 11 years old and studied acting at Goodman Theater.
After relocating to New York in 1956, Hamilton made her Broadway debut in the play 'Only in America' and her film debut in John Cassavetes' 1959 drama 'Shadows.'
7 Lynn Hamilton in the ABC TV movie 'A Dream for Christmas.'
ABC
Hamilton first appeared on 'Sanford and Son' in the seventh episode as a landlady, before she was cast in a recurring role as Donna Harris, Fred Sanford's girlfriend and later fiancée.
In a 2009 interview, Hamilton said that producers were 'so impressed' with her scene as the landlady that they decided to create the role of Donna for her.
7 Lynn Hamilton, Redd Fox in 'Sanford and Son.'
Courtesy Everett Collection
'I among, I don't know, 100 other actresses in Hollywood auditioned,' she recalled. 'We had a screen test … He was impressed with my experience. He always said, 'You're so dignified and I need somebody dignified opposite me.' '
7 Lynn Hamilton, Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson in 'Sanford and Son.'
Courtesy Everett Collection
Hamilton starred on 'Sanford and Son' from 1972 to 1977. During that time, she made her first appearance as Verdie on 'The Waltons,' a role that lasted from 1973 to 1981.
In addition, Hamilton made appearances in 'The Golden Girls,' 'Dangerous Women,' 'Generations,' 'NYPD Blue,' 'Port Charles,' 'The Practice,' 'Moesha' and 'Judging Amy.'
7 Lynn Hamilton, Hari Rhodes in the ABC tv movie 'A Dream for Christmas.'
ABC
Her other film credits included 'Leadbelly' (1976), 'The Jesse Owens Story' (1984), 'Legal Eagles' (1986), 'The Vanishing' (1993) and 'Beah: A Black Woman Speaks' (2003).
Hamilton's final acting gig was in one episode of 'Cold Case' in 2009, according to her IMDb.
Hamilton was married to poet and playwright Frank Jenkins from 1964 until his death in 2014. The pair collaborated on various theater productions including the play 'Nobody: The Bert Williams Story.'
Carson called Hamilton and Jenkins' partnership 'a shining example of creativity, love, and dedication.'

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