Sherman Hemsley - Sherman Hemsley Died Of Natural Causes, No Autopsy Required

The examiner said that Hemsley had been ill before his death, though did not elaborate. As was first reported, the actor died at his El Paso home this week. He was most famous for playing television's George Jefferson firstly on 'All in the Family' and then on the spinoff show The Jeffersons. Hemsley - who was nominated for a Golden Globe - also had a relatively successful movie career, starring in the likes of 'Up, Up and Away' (2000) and 'Screwed (2000). In 2005, he appeared in an episode of Seth MacFarlane's 'Family Guy'. Several stars of stage and screen have been paying tribute to Hemsley on their Twitter accounts, with rocker Tom Morello saying, "Rip the great George Jefferson. Thanks so much to comedic pioneer Sherman Hemsley for bringing a black family into my white hometown". Denise Richards told followers, "George Jefferson, Rip Sherman Hemsley a comedic genius...my thoughts are with his loved ones", while Seth Green and Russell Simmons also paid tribute.

It has been announced that TV Land will pay tribute to Hemsley this weekend, with a marathon of 'The Jeffersons'.