Answer: Sherman Hemsley
Sherman Hemsley, born in 1938, first appeared as George Jefferson in 1973 on the hit TV series "All in the Family" (1971-1979). His character was so popular that Sherman was given his own spinoff series called "The Jeffersons" (1975-1985). Mr. Hemsley was blessed with a second hit comedy series, "Amen", which ran from 1986-1991. He played the part of Deacon Ernest Frye throughout the show's entire run.
From Quiz: "The Jeffersons": Family & Friends
Answer: George wanted to hire a maid
Louise was having trouble getting accustomed to living large while George was enjoying every minute of it. Florence was introduced at the end of the episode. She was a part-time member of the cast during the first two seasons and became a regular member and eventual star from the third season on.
From Quiz: Movin' On Up With "The Jeffersons"
Answer: To a deluxe apartment in the sky, We're movin' on up!
From Quiz: 'The Jeffersons' Theme Song
Answer: Florence
From Quiz: 'The Jeffersons' Trivia
Answer: Lionel
Lionel was played by two different actors. First, Mike Evans reprised his role when the show spun-off from "All in the Family" in 1975. He was replaced the following season by Damon Evans (no relation), who portrayed Lionel until 1978. Mike Evans returned to the show in 1979.
From Quiz: The Jeffersons
Answer: Isabel Sanford
Isabel Sanford began playing the part of Louise Jefferson on the TV comedy "All in the Family" (1971-1979). A few years later, her character starred in the spinoff series "The Jeffersons" (1975-1985). Ms. Sanford was the first African American actress to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1981. She also appeared in the movie "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" in 1967 as the Drayton's maid Tillie. Isabel passed away at the age of 86 in 2004.
From Quiz: "The Jeffersons": Family & Friends
Answer: He was petrified over how he would do on his new job
Lionel got a job as an electrical engineer at Teletex Electronics. He thought George expected him to better there than anyone, even though Louise assured him George would be proud if Lionel just did a fine job. Lionel was played by two different actors, Mike Evans and Damon Evans, who were not related.
From Quiz: Movin' On Up With "The Jeffersons"
Answer: We've finally got a piece of the pie!
From Quiz: 'The Jeffersons' Theme Song
Answer: Mr. Bentley
Mr. Bentley, the quirky Englishman, was an interpreter at the U.N. for the first few seasons. His character was then transfered to U.N. duty in the Soviet Union. A few years later, Mr. Bentley was back in New York, pestering George Jefferson. Paul Benedict played the role with perfection.
From Quiz: The Jeffersons
Answer: Marla Gibbs
Marla Gibbs, born in 1931, played the role of Florence Johnston on "The Jeffersons" (1975-1985). In 1981, Marla took her character into the spinoff series "Checking In" (1981). Unfortunately, the series only lasted four episodes, so Marla returned as Florence to "The Jeffersons" (1975-1985). Ms. Gibbs is also known for the starring role of Mary Jenkins on the sitcom "227" (1985-1990). Marla has been a guest on TV shows such as "Martin" (1992-1997) and "The Hughleys" (1998-2002).
From Quiz: "The Jeffersons": Family & Friends
Answer: Mother Jefferson
Lionel and Jenny were married in the 1976 Christmas episode. George made a fuss because Tom Willis, Jenny's father and George and Louise's upstairs neighbor, hired a white minister to perform the ceremony. Florence, the maid, and Mr.Bentley, who was George and Louise's British next door neighbor, were the witnesses, George's mother, Olivia Jefferson, did not attend for unexplained reasons.
From Quiz: Movin' On Up With "The Jeffersons"
Answer: Took a whole lotta tryin', just to get up that hill
From Quiz: 'The Jeffersons' Theme Song
Answer: Ralph
From Quiz: 'The Jeffersons' Trivia
Answer: Bloody Mary
She drank Bloody Marys 'because tomato juice has lots of vitamins.' When Louise asked her why she needed the vodka, she replied, 'because it helps me digest the vitamins.'
From Quiz: The Jeffersons
Answer: Roxie Roker
Roxie Roker played Helen Willis, an African American character who was married to a Caucasian male. The Willis' were the first interracial couple to be starring characters on a prime time television show. Ms. Roker is the mother of the famous musician, Lenny Kravitz. She was nominated for a 1974 Tony Award for her portrayal of Mattie Williams in the Broadway play "The River Niger". Roxie passed away in 1995 from breast cancer.
From Quiz: "The Jeffersons": Family & Friends
Answer: Horseback riding
Raymond was George's obnoxious nephew who stayed with him and Louise for six weeks. He was played by Gary Coleman, who later played Arnold on "Diff'rent Strokes".
From Quiz: Movin' On Up With "The Jeffersons"
Answer: Gettin' our turn at bat!
From Quiz: 'The Jeffersons' Theme Song
Answer: Jessica
Jessica is Lionel and Jenny's daughter.
From Quiz: 'The Jeffersons' Trivia
Answer: Ralph
George was always paying him to fend off unwanted guests. Portrayed by actor Ned Wertimer.
From Quiz: The Jeffersons
Answer: Franklin Cover
Franklin Cover's breakout role was that of Tom Willis, a publisher and friend to the Jefferson family. Tom, a Caucasian man, was married to Helen Willis, an African American woman. Tom was often ridiculed by George Jefferson because of his hefty weight. Mr. Clover also appeared in the movies "The Stepford Wives" (1975) and "Wall Street" (1987). He passed away in 2006 at the age of 77.
From Quiz: "The Jeffersons": Family & Friends
Answer: He wanted the warehouse Allan inherited
Tom and Helen Willis were an interacially mixed couple who lived upstairs from George and Louise and Allan was their white son. When Tom's father died, he left Allan a warehouse. George needed a new warehouse for a cleaning plant so he took Allan in after a fight with Tom. Allan eventually gave it to Louise and Helen for their Help Center.
From Quiz: Movin' On Up With "The Jeffersons"
Answer: There ain't nothin' wrong with that!
From Quiz: 'The Jeffersons' Theme Song
Answer: Bentley
From Quiz: 'The Jeffersons' Trivia
Answer: Whittendale
George was always trying to get on Mr. Whittendale's good side. It turned out that it was MRS. Whittendale who had all the money. Mr. Whittendale actually changed HIS name when he married her. She couldn't stand George, especially after he accidently let her Doberman, Poopsie, jump off the twelfth floor balcony.
From Quiz: The Jeffersons
Answer: Paul Benedict
Paul Benedict played the part of the eccentric, though lovable, British neighbor, Harry Bentley. Harry worked as an interpreter for the United Nations. The character would often have the Jeffersons' front door slammed in his face by George Jefferson. Mr. Benedict was actually American, not British. Paul appeared in the movies "The Goodbye Girl" (1977) and "The Freshman" (1990). He passed away in 2008 at the age of 70.
From Quiz: "The Jeffersons": Family & Friends
Answer: He accused Louise of corrupting Florence and called her a sinner
Buzz Thatcher was deeply religious. He attended church daily, he abstained from drinking, swearing and rock and roll music. At the engagement party, Louise gave Florence a nightgown. Buzz believed that only sinful women wore such attire. Florence dumped him after this.
From Quiz: Movin' On Up With "The Jeffersons"
Answer: To the east side! Movin' on Up!
From Quiz: 'The Jeffersons' Theme Song
Answer: Bloody Mary's
From Quiz: 'The Jeffersons' Trivia
Answer: Zebra
He didn't want Lionel to marry their daughter, Jenny, because he didn't want his 'grandkids growing up to be half-zebra.'
From Quiz: The Jeffersons
Answer: Damon Evans
Damon Evans, born 1949 in Baltimore, Maryland USA, took over the role of Lionel Jefferson, George and Louise's son, in the second season and stayed with the show through the fourth. Damon also appeared in the TV movie "Roots: The Next Generations" (1979).
From Quiz: "The Jeffersons": Family & Friends
Answer: Martin Luther King Jr. was shot
George and Louise were recollecting April 4, 1968. George came home early from work announcing he was opening his first store. A white banker came to visit him and approve the loan. When George, Louise and Lionel went to the store George rented, a rioter broke the window announcing that King was killed. The next day, the banker came back with the loan. He did, however, tell George we would give it to him only if George rents another store in a better neighborhood. The banker didn't approve of the Harlem store because he believed the rioters behaved like animals. George turned down the loan and threw the banker out.
From Quiz: Movin' On Up With "The Jeffersons"
Answer: Movin' on Up! To the east side!
From Quiz: 'The Jeffersons' Theme Song
Answer: Mr. Whittendale
Mr. Whittendale also owned the building the Jefferson's lived in.
From Quiz: 'The Jeffersons' Trivia
Answer: Lenny Kravitz
Sadly, Roxie Roker died in 1995 from breast cancer.
From Quiz: The Jeffersons
Answer: Ned Wertimer
Ned Wertimer, born in 1923, played the part of Ralph Hart, the doorman in the Jefferson's high-rise apartment building. Ralph was always looking for money tips from the tenants. Mr. Wertimer also appeared in the cult movie "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" (1964).
From Quiz: "The Jeffersons": Family & Friends
Answer: Who shot G.R.
Florence's story was based on J.R. Ewing from Dallas. G.R.(George) was a mean, greedy tycoon who everyone hated. The would-be assassin was Flossie, Florence's character.
From Quiz: Movin' On Up With "The Jeffersons"
Answer: We've finally got a piece of the pie!
From Quiz: 'The Jeffersons' Theme Song
Answer: His height
She picked on him about being bald a lot also.
From Quiz: The Jeffersons
