Lynn Hamilton, the beloved actress famous for her roles as Donna Harris on NBC’s “Sanford and Son” and Verdie Grant Foster on CBS’s “The Waltons,” passed away from natural causes at her Chicago home on June 19. She was 95. Rev. Calvin Carson, who used to be her manager and publicist, announced on social media that Hamilton died with her grandchildren, family, and caregivers close to her.
“With deep appreciation and respect, we honor the remarkable life of the legendary Alzenia ‘Lynn’ Hamilton-Jenkins, whose impressive legacy continues to motivate and inspire,” Carson said in a statement. Carson continued that she had an outstanding career that lasted over fifty years and left a big mark on the entertainment world, inspiring people everywhere with her work in modeling, theater, movies, and TV.
From Mississippi Roots to Hollywood Stardom
Hamilton was born on April 25, 1930, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, and moved to Chicago Heights when he was 11. She got her start on stage at the Goodman Theater in Chicago, then moved to New York City, making her Broadway debut in “Only in America” in 1959.
She first showed up on the big screen in John Cassavetes’ “Shadows” in 1959, then kept busy on stage with three more shows on Broadway and a bunch of Off-Broadway plays.
In 1972, Hamilton made her mark on TV by joining “Sanford and Son” as Donna Harris, the woman who dated Fred Sanford and later got engaged to him. During a 2009 interview, Hamilton talked about how she first appeared as a landlady in episode seven, and the producers were so impressed they made up Donna’s character just for her. She took part in 22 episodes through all six seasons of the sitcom, performing next to Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson, and LaWanda Page.
In 1973, Hamilton took on the role of Verdie Grant Foster, a caring neighbor who eventually married Harley Foster, in “The Waltons.” She was part of 17 episodes in the show’s nine-season run and later joined a few “Waltons” reunion movies.
A Career Spanning Five Decades
Hamilton worked on much more than just her two most well-known roles. She acted as Cousin Georgia Anderson in the miniseries “Roots: The Next Generations” and also showed up in hit shows like “Good Times,” “227,” “Dangerous Women,” “The Golden Girls,” “Room 222,” “Mannix,” and “Gunsmoke.”
She acted in “Brother John” from 1971, “Buck and the Preacher” in 1972, “Lady Sings the Blues” also in 1972, “Leadbelly” in 1976, and “Legal Eagles” in 1986. Hamilton was also well known in daytime TV, especially for playing Viv Potter on NBC’s soap “Generations” and showing up often in “Dangerous Women.” She received the top NAACP Award, and her publicist said it proves how much she’s done for the entertainment industry.
All through her career, Hamilton often teamed up with her husband, poet Frank S. Jenkins, on stage shows like the well-loved plays “Nobody” and “The Bert Williams Story.” According to Carson, their teamwork showed true creativity, love, and real dedication.
Remembering the Icon
Hamilton’s death is the end of an era for American TV and movies. “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,” Carson said. Her death closes a chapter in history, but what she did in life will keep lifting people for years to come.
People who loved her work and those who worked with her remember Hamilton for more than just her talent, they remember her warmth and the way she handled her job. Carson pointed out that her amazing career has left a strong mark on the entertainment world and has touched people all over the globe.
For 49 years, Hamilton was married to Frank Jenkins, who died in 2014. Her grandchildren and extended family were right there with her in her last moments and now keep her memory alive.