Lynn Hamilton, the beloved actress best known for her roles as Donna Harris on Sanford and Son and Verdie Grant on The Waltons, has passed away. She died on June 19, 2024, at the age of 95.
Hamilton brought warmth, wisdom, and strength to every role she touched. As Donna Harris, Fred Sanford’s patient and compassionate love interest, she balanced out the show’s chaos with quiet grace. On Sanford and Son, she stood tall alongside Redd Foxx, creating one of television’s first depictions of a mature Black romantic relationship — one filled with humor, heart, and genuine connection.
Later, as Verdie Grant in The Waltons, Hamilton delivered powerful performances that dealt with race, loss, and faith in 1930s America. Her work helped pave the way for deeper representation in family dramas and touched millions of viewers.
Over her decades-long career, Hamilton also appeared in Good Times, Roots: The Next Generations, The Practice, and Highway to Heaven, among many others. But her real legacy may be the quiet dignity and humanity she brought to each performance — especially at a time when roles for Black actresses were severely limited.
Offscreen, Lynn Hamilton was known as deeply private, humble, and committed to her craft. She stayed out of the spotlight in her later years, but her impact never faded.
Fans across generations continue to share clips of Donna and Fred, laugh at her brilliant comebacks, and remember the warmth she brought to every scene.
Today, we say goodbye to a true television pioneer.
Rest in peace, Lynn Hamilton. Thank you for the laughter, the strength, and the legacy.
