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Isabel Sanford

️Tue Dec 05 2023

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In her two-and-a-half-hour interview, Isabel Sanford (1917-2004) discusses her early years growing up and her entrance into live theatre. She speaks about her move to Los Angeles and her subsequent roles on stage, including The Amen Corner and Funny Girl, as well as her first television appearances. She speaks in detail about being cast for a one-time part on All in the Family, which led to her casting as Bunker neighbor, "Louise Jefferson." Sanford discusses her role in the spinoff, The Jeffersons, and her later work appearing in several guest roles on situation comedies and commercials. Brad Lemack conducted the interview on April 3, 2002 in Los Angeles, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"People on the street have asked me, 'how in the world could you stand that George Jefferson?' I said, 'well, if you were getting the money that I'm getting, you'd stand him too!"

Highlights

Isabel Sanford on being called in to play "Louise Jefferson" on All in the Family by director John Rich

03:29

Isabel Sanford on "Louise Jefferson's" goodbye scene with Jean Stapleton as Edith Bunker on All in the Family

01:11

Full Interview

Play Full Interview

Chapter 1

On her early life and influences; on her teacher who encouraged her talent; on her mother's feeling on her being a performer, and on her comfort in being on stage early on

On her early interest in playing comedy, and on her style; on appearing at amateur night at the Apollo and with the Star Players; on her experience with World War II, and on her early memories of television and movies

Chapter 2

On appearing in "Striver's Row", and on balancing home life with her acting career; on moving to Los Angeles in 1960

on finding work in Los Angeles, and appearing in plays including the Los Angeles production of "Funny Girl", and "The Amen Corner" on Broadway; on her early representation, and on being cast in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"

Chapter 3

On appearing in the feature film "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?", and on Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy helping with her transportation; on working with Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, and Sidney Poitier in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"

On becoming a semi-regular on The Carol Burnett Show; on watching All in the Family before she was cast as "Louise Jefferson", and on auditioning for Norman Lear; on being called in to play "Louise Jefferson" on All in the Family by director John Rich

Chapter 4

On her reluctance to leave All in the Family, to do the spin-off The Jeffersons; on working the producers, and with the cast of All in the Family, and on Carroll O'Connor's absences from the show; on Sherman Hemsley being cast as "George Jefferson" on All in the Family

On the storylines of "George and Louise Jefferson" on All in the Family, and the public's response to "Louise Jefferson"; on "Louise Jefferson's" goodbye scene with Jean Stapleton as Edith Bunker on All in the Family; on Mike Evans as "Lionel Jefferson" on All in the Family

On the audience reaction to The Jeffersons; on Don Nicholl, Michael Ross, and Bernard West the producers of The Jeffersons; on the supporting cast of The Jeffersons including Franklin Cover, Roxie Roker, Mike and Damon Evans, Paul Benedict, and Zara Cully

Chapter 5

On Marla Gibbs as "Florence Johnston", the maid of The Jeffersons and on the character of "Ralph the doorman"; on the notion of doing a reunion of The Jeffersons, and on working with Sammy Davis, Jr.; on winning an Emmy for playing "Louise Jefferson" on The Jeffersons

On The Jeffersons theme song; on the end of The Jeffersons, on being upset over never having an official final episode, and on the continued popularity of the series; on the relationship between "George and Louise Jefferson" on The Jeffersons

On appearing in a series of Old Navy and Denny's commercials with Sherman Hemsley; on making guest appearances on several shows; on her process as an actress

On appearing in the feature film "Original Gangstas" and in the television movie Jackie's Back!; on career achievements and regrets

Chapter 6

On how The Jeffersons, and "Louise Jefferson" will be remembered; on dealing with fame and celebrity; on The Jeffersons legacy within the African-American community

Shows

All in the Family

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Isabel Sanford on being called in to play "Louise Jefferson" on All in the Family by director John Rich