Isabel Sanford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Isabel Sanford
Publicity photo of Isabel Sanford with The Jeffersons co-stars, Sherman Hemsley and Mike Evans, circa 1974
Born	Eloise Gwendolyn Sanford (1917-08-29)August 29, 1917 Harlem, New York, U.S.
Died	July 9, 2004(2004-07-09) (aged 86) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Nationality	American
Occupation	Actress comedian
Years active	1946–2004
Known for	Louise "Weezy" Mills–Jefferson on All in the Family and The Jeffersons
Spouse(s)	William E. Richmond ​ ​ (m. 1945; died 1960)​
Children	3
Awards	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (The Jeffersons; 1981)

Isabel Sanford (born Eloise Gwendolyn Sanford; August 29, 1917 – July 9, 2004) was a talented American actress and comedian. She became famous for playing Louise "Weezy" Mills Jefferson on the TV shows All in the Family (1971–1975) and The Jeffersons (1975–1985). In 1981, she made history by winning a Primetime Emmy Award. She was the first African-American actress to win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

Early Life and Dreams

Isabel Sanford was born Eloise Gwendolyn Sanford in Harlem, New York City. She was the youngest of seven children. From a young age, Isabel dreamed of becoming an actress. Her mother, however, was not keen on this idea. She felt that acting was not a good path.

But Isabel didn't give up on her dream. As a teenager, she started performing in local clubs. She even performed at the famous Apollo Theater. After high school, she joined acting groups like Harlem's American Negro Theater. She made her first professional stage appearance in 1946. While acting, she also worked as a keypunch operator at IBM. Isabel married William Edward "Sonny" Richmond and they had three children.

A Star on the Rise

In 1960, Isabel Sanford and her three children moved to California. Soon after, she was asked to join a play called Here Today. In 1965, she made her debut on Broadway in the play The Amen Corner.

This led to her role in the 1967 film Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. She played a maid named Tillie Binks and received great reviews. Her performance caught the eye of important people in Hollywood, including Norman Lear. He cast Isabel as Louise Jefferson in the popular TV show All in the Family.

Isabel and her TV husband, Sherman Hemsley, were so popular that Norman Lear decided to give their characters their own show. This new show was called The Jeffersons. Isabel was a bit unsure about working on a weekly series at first. But she decided to take the offer. The Jeffersons started in January 1975 and was an instant hit. It ran for 11 seasons!

For her role as Louise Jefferson, Isabel Sanford was nominated for many awards. She received five Golden Globe Award nominations and seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations. In 1981, she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. This made her the first African-American actress to win in that category.

Life After The Jeffersons

After The Jeffersons ended in 1985, Isabel Sanford continued acting. She had guest roles in many TV shows and movies. In 1987, she starred in her own sitcom called Isabel's Honeymoon Hotel. This show was made to highlight her comedic talent.

In the 1990s, Isabel appeared in shows like Living Single, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, and The Steve Harvey Show. She also had roles in movies like Original Gangstas (1996).

Isabel Sanford and Sherman Hemsley often reunited to play their famous characters. They appeared in a stage show called The Real Live Jeffersons. They also made guest appearances in shows like The Parkers and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The two also appeared in commercials for Denny's and Old Navy.

In January 2004, Isabel Sanford received a special honor. She got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her amazing work in television. Her final TV appearance was in February 2004. She voiced an animated version of herself in The Simpsons episode "Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore."

Personal Life

Isabel Sanford was married to William Edward "Sonny" Richmond. They had three children: two sons and a daughter. After they separated, Isabel and her children moved to California in 1960. Isabel was a supporter of the Democratic Party.

Later Years and Legacy

In September 2003, Isabel Sanford had a surgery to help her health. Her health slowly declined in the months that followed. She passed away on July 9, 2004, just before her 87th birthday. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles.

Isabel Sanford left behind a wonderful legacy. Her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is located at 7080 Hollywood Boulevard. It reminds everyone of her great contributions to television.

Broadway Credits

Filmography

Awards and Nominations