One of the great actors of our generation Sherman Hemsley has passed on at age 74. He was found in his El Paso Texas home on Tuesday July 24^th 2012, the cause of death is not known but being reported due to natural causes. He was never married and had no children. Sherman was born in South Philadelphia, later moved to New York to pursue an acting career. While he studied acting at night he worked at the post office during the day. He began his career performing in plays and made his Broadway debut in the musical called Purlie; which was based on the book by Ossie Davis. Norman Lear saw him perform and offered him the role of the bigot “George Jefferson” playing opposite the rival bigot character “Archie Bunker” played by Carroll O’Conner and to join the cast of  “All in the Family.”  Sherman later got his own spin-off show called “The Jefferson’s” and the phase “moving on up” was born. We will always remember the great actor Sherman Hemsley and what contribution he made to our generation.

We had to say farewell to Sherman’s co-star Isabel Sanford on July 9, 2004 at the age of 86. She was born in Harlem New York and got her debut role in 1967 in the movie “Guess who’s coming to Dinner” opposite actors like Sidney Poitier as the maid “Tillie Binks”. Norman Lear also approached her about the role of “Louise Jefferson” for the show “All in the Family”. As the story goes, she almost didn’t accept the role because there was a bucket of Kentucky Fried chicken left for her in her dressing room. But Norman explained there was no pun intended, it was how he welcomed everyone and the rest is history.

“The Jefferson’s”  now reside in that BIG Old High Rise Apartment in the Sky!!!! They will truly be missed.

                                                          RIP Goerge and Wizzie!

References:

Kathryn Shattuck (13 July 2004). "Isabel Sanford, 86, Actress Who Portrayed Mrs. Jefferson, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-19.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/25/arts/television/sherman-hemsley-star-of-the-jeffersons-dies-at-74.html?hp

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People Behind the Voices

Voiceover talent is a very big area of entertainment that is not discussed as much as other areas in the industry. We all listen to voiceover artist everyday in television, radio and streaming commercials without realizing it. In a way, voice-overs as a whole is the one art we take for granted. We never pay attention to recording from the automated voice heard when we call our service companies, or when we look at our favorite documentaries, or wildlife animal specials and especially cartoons; we just expect the magic voice to tell us the story without thinking of the actor behind the scene who is reading a script; or that by simply reading words with emotion could materialize into a lucrative career just like an on screen actor or radio personality.  

Here are a few voice actors you may have heard of...........

                                         But without a doubt you have heard their voices.........

Don Lafontaine is called “The Voice” he has been the voice behind the most famous movie trailers in movie history. Don was the man who changed the industry of how movie trailers were announced. He also lends his voice to television and radio.

Keith David is just as popular on screen as he is as a voice actor behind the scenes. In front of the camera we are familiar with seeing him play roles as the big stuff intimidating type. But as a voice actor he gets the opportunity to be the voice behind a variety of different advertizing promos, commercials,  narrative spots, and cartoons.  

J.K Simmons is another actor who we all know from shows like Law and Order and The Closer as well the face of the guy from those crazy Farmers Insurance commercials. But Simmons also has an impressive voice over resume. He is also the voice of several different cartoon characters.