Golden Girls actress Lynn Hamilton dies aged 95
American also starred in sitcom Sanford and Son and the The Waltons
Actress Lynn Hamilton, best known for her roles in Sanford and Son, The Golden Girls and the The Waltons has died aged 95.
Her former manager and publicist, Rev. Calvin Carson, confirmed she died peacefully on Thursday of natural causes in her Chicago home.
In a statement, he said: 'Without profound gratitude and admiration, we celebrate the extraordinary life of iconic actress Alzenia 'Lynn' Hamilton-Jenkins, whose remarkable legacy continues to uplift and inspire.
'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.'
The post said that her 'captivating performances' continue to 'inspire new generations'.
The statement added that Lynn was the recipient of the NAACP Award. It described the achievement as a 'testament to her outstanding contributions' to the industry.
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Lynn starred as Verdie Foster in the Waltons, with her having appeared on the CBS show from 1973 to 1981. The character becomes friends with the titular family and is said to have featured in more than a dozen episodes.
The Mirror reports that she is also credited with playing Trudy in an episode of the Golden Girls in 1988. Trudy was introduced as the aunt of Lorraine Wagner (Rosalind Cash), who married Michael Zbornak (Scott Jacoby), the son of Dorothy Zbornak (Bea Arthur).
She also appeared in numerous other shows over the course of her career. Her credits include playing cousin Georgia Anderson in Roots: The Next Generation in 1979 and Judge P. Fulton in the Practice from 1997 to 2002.
Lynn is said to have also worked alongside her late husband Frank S. Jenkins, who died aged 89 in 2014, over the years.
She had married the poet and playwright in 1964.
Their partnership was referred to as a 'shining example of creativity, love and dedication' in the statement released this weekened.
Tributes were paid to Lynn on social media. One person wrote on X: 'Oh no, what a loss. She was wonderful in everything she did. Rest in peace, Lynn Hamilton.'
Another said: 'Lynn Hamilton brought dignity and grace to her memorable performances. Rest in Peace.'
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