George Jefferson’s walk, attitude, and swagger were iconic—but few fans know they were inspired by a real person Sherman Hemsley met in Philadelphia. According to co-star Marla Gibbs, Hemsley based his character on a bold dry-cleaning shop owner he admired growing up.
“He had this confidence, this bounce, like he owned the block. Sherman never forgot him,” she said in a recent interview. That swagger became George’s signature—and a defining part of Black television history.
The story sheds light on how much personal truth went into crafting one of sitcom’s most unforgettable characters. “It wasn’t just acting. It was respect,” Gibbs added
