Nearly four decades after his sitcom signed off, George Jefferson is still “movin’ on up” in television history.
This week, entertainment outlet Collider ranked George Jefferson from The Jeffersons among the greatest TV characters of the 1970s, placing the loud, ambitious businessman alongside icons from a decade that changed TV forever.
The recognition reminds fans why Sherman Hemsley’s performance remains one of the most unforgettable in prime-time history and why George Jefferson became the king of comebacks long after his original run ended.
George Jefferson first appeared on All in the Family before leading his own spinoff in 1975. Over 11 seasons and 253 episodes, The Jeffersons followed George and his wife Louise as they left Queens for a luxury high-rise in Manhattan after George’s dry-cleaning business became a success. The show aired its final episode on July 2, 1985, but the character never truly left television screens.
Sherman Hemsley as George Jefferson on "The Jeffersons," 1975.Photo by CBS via Getty Images
When The Jeffersons debuted, television was changing. The 1970s introduced more honest stories, bold humor and characters who reflected real social issues. George Jefferson stood out immediately.
He was brash. He was stubborn. He was loud. But he was also a proud, self-made Black entrepreneur who built a chain of seven dry-cleaning stores from the ground up. George challenged stereotypes. He argued. He bragged. He strutted. Yet audiences connected with him because his ambition was real.
As Time once described the character, he was “brash, arrogant, combative, swaggering, stubborn and refusing to suffer fools.” That sharp personality made him funny and unforgettable.
The sitcom, created by Norman Lear, tackled race and prejudice with humor. It also featured one of television’s first regular interracial couples, Helen and Tom Willis. Through it all, George’s energy powered the series.
Sherman Hemsley earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for the role and won an NAACP Image Award. Isabel Sanford, who played Louise “Weezy” Jefferson, made history in 1981 as the first Black actress to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
Even after CBS abruptly canceled the series without a proper finale, George Jefferson refused to fade away.
After The Jeffersons ended, Sherman Hemsley didn’t retire George Jefferson. He revived the character in guest spots on popular sitcoms, including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Each time he returned, audiences welcomed him like an old friend.
Hemsley also starred in the hit sitcom Amen from 1986 to 1991, proving he could headline another successful series. He later appeared on shows such as Sister, Sister and Martin, while also lending his voice to animated projects.
The character’s influence also extended to his co-stars. Marla Gibbs, who played Florence, has continued acting for decades and is releasing her memoir, It’s Never Too Late, this year. The cast’s lasting careers reflect how powerful the show’s impact was.
Sherman Hemsley died in 2012 at age 74, but George Jefferson lives on in reruns and rankings like Collider’s latest list.
For viewers who grew up hearing the theme song “Movin’ On Up,” this new ranking feels like a victory lap. It confirms what fans have known for years: George Jefferson wasn’t just a sitcom character. He was a television milestone.
Related: ‘The Jeffersons’ Star Reveals What Sherman Hemsley Was Really Like on Set
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