Actor and comedian Sherman Hemsley, known best as TV's George Jefferson, was found dead Tuesday in El Paso at the age of 74.

Hemsley began his career as George Jefferson in Norman Lear’s "All in the Family" in the 1970's. This role eventually led to a spinoff series for "The Jeffersons." It was the first series to feature an upper-class African American couple in prime time. It was also the first series to cast an interracial couple, Tom and Helen Willis.

Hemsley earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his role as George Jefferson. Isabel Sanford, who played his wife Louise Jefferson, known affectionally as "Weezie," died in 2004 of heart disease.

Hemsley later starred as Deacon Ernest Frye on “Amen,” which aired from 1986 to 1991.