The Waltons star Lynn Hamilton has died aged 95.
The beloved actress died of natural causes at her home in Chicago on Thursday (June 19). She was “surrounded by her grandchildren, loved ones and caregivers” when she passed, her former publicist said.
Hamilton was famed for playing Verdie Grant Foster on the acclaimed TV drama The Waltons and Donna Harris on the hit sitcom Sanford and Son. She also made several appearances in TV shows such as The Golden Girls, Good Times, Dangerous Women, Generations, and Port Charles.
Rev. Calvin Carson, her former manager, confirmed her passing on social media. In a statement, he said: “With profound gratitude and admiration, we celebrate the extraordinary life of iconic actress Alzenia ‘Lynn’ Hamilton-Jenkins, whose remarkable legacy continues to uplift and inspire.
(Image: NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
“Her illustrious career, spanning over five decades, has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment, motivating audiences across the globe through her work as a model, stage, film and television actress.”
Lynn Hamilton was best known for her recurring roles as Fred Sanford’s fiancée, Donna, in The Waltons (1972 until 1977) and Verdie Grant Foster on The Waltons (1973 until 1981). She also starred as Georgia Anderson in Roots: The Next Generations.
Hamilton discussed how she got her role on Sanford and Son in 2009. She told The Hollywood Reporter: “They were so impressed with that one scene that, oh, a month or so later, they decided to give Fred Sanford a girlfriend. I, among – I don’t know – 100 other actresses in Hollywood, auditioned.
(Image: ABC)
“We had a screen test,” she added. “He was impressed with my experience. He always said, ‘You’re so dignified and I need somebody dignified opposite me.'”
The star appeared in numerous TV shows, including soaps Dangerous Women and Generations and the TV miniseries Roots: The Next Generations. The Mississippi native acted in General Hospital spin-off Port Charles.
Hamilton also starred alongside Sandra Bullock in the 1993 thriller The Vanishing. Her other film credits include 1959’s Shadows, 1971’s Brother John, 1972’s Buck and the Preacher and Lady Sings the Blues, 1976’s Leadbelly, and 1986’s Legal Eagles.
She appeared in an episode of The Golden Girls called Mixed Blessings. She played Trudy, Lorraine’s (Rosalind Cash) aunt, in the episode.
The actress was married to poet Frank Jenkins for 49 years until he died of natural causes in August 2014. The pair have one daughter.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
