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Actor Sherman Hemsley, Best Known As George Jefferson On 'The Jeffersons,' Dies

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The man who glorified moving on up to the 'East Side' of Manhattan has died.

Photos: Notable Deaths 2012

Sherman Hemsley, the actor best known as "George Jefferson" on the 1970's sitcom "The Jeffersons", died Tuesday in El Paso, Texas. He was 74.

Hemsley first found fame during his appearances on the CBS show "All In The Family," but he really rose to fame in the spinoff series "The Jeffersons" which ran for 11 seasons, before suddenly being canceled in 1985.

One year later Hemsley joined the cast of the television show "Amen" where he played church Deacon Ernest Frye.

"Amen" was on the air for five years.

Celebrities and fans took to Twitter to share their condolences. TV Land, the network that currently airs episodes of "The Jeffersons" tweeted: We are saddened that Sherman Hemsley, the beloved & very funny star of The Jeffersons, All In The Family & Amen has passed away today. #RIP.

Ex-NFL star and announcer Deion Sanders tweeted: God bless Sherman Hemsley BKA George Jefferson. He's gone to be with the Lord. He made me dream I could move on up. Truth.

Hemsley was not married and did not have any children. The cause of death is unknown.

Trivia: The building seen in the opening sequence of the show is located at 185 East 85th Street on the Upper East Side.

Were you a fan of the Jeffersons? Let us know below.

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