Lynn Hamilton, the esteemed actress widely celebrated for her memorable roles as Fred Sanford’s girlfriend Donna Harris on the classic sitcom Sanford and Son and as the neighborly Miss Verdie Grant Foster on the beloved drama The Waltons, has passed away. She died at her home in Chicago on Thursday, June 19 or 20, 2025, of natural causes. Hamilton was 95 years old.
Her death was confirmed by her former manager and publicist, Rev. Calvin Carson, who announced the news and paid tribute to her enduring impact. Carson described Hamilton as an “iconic actress” whose career, spanning over five decades, left an “indelible mark on the world of entertainment.” He noted that her “remarkable legacy continues to uplift and inspire” audiences globally through her extensive work in modeling, stage, film, and television. She was surrounded by her grandchildren, loved ones, and caregivers at the time of her passing.
A Distinguished Career in Television
Lynn Hamilton became a familiar face to millions through her pivotal television roles. On Sanford and Son, she first appeared in a guest spot as a landlady in 1972. Producers were so impressed with her performance that they specifically created the character of Donna Harris, a registered nurse who became the steady love interest and eventual fiancée of Redd Foxx’s character, Fred Sanford. Hamilton starred on the show from 1972 to 1977. She recalled in a 2009 interview that Foxx, aware of his own “earthliness,” sought someone “dignified” to play opposite him. Despite their on-screen engagement, Donna and Fred never married during the series run. The character was famously nicknamed “The Barracuda” by Fred’s son, Lamont Sanford (Demond Wilson).
While working on the hit sitcom, Hamilton also began her long-running role on The Waltons. Starting in February 1973 with the episode “The Scholar,” where John-Boy (Richard Thomas) helps her character, Verdie, learn to read and write, she would appear in 17 episodes of the CBS drama through 1981. “The Scholar” episode notably won an Emmy Award for screenwriting. Verdie later married Harley Foster, played by Hal Williams, an actor who also appeared on Sanford and Son and the NBC sitcom 227. Hamilton reprised her role as Verdie in Waltons holiday telefilms in 1993 and 1997.
Beyond these signature roles, Hamilton built a prolific television career. She starred as the matriarch Vivian Potter on the NBC daytime drama Generations (1989-1991) and as Cissie Johnson on the syndicated nighttime soap Dangerous Women (1991-1992). Her notable miniseries appearance included portraying Cousin Georgia Anderson in Roots: The Next Generations (1979). She also held recurring roles as the feisty Emma Johnson on 227 and as a judge on ABC’s legal drama The Practice. Her extensive list of guest appearances spans decades and includes iconic shows like Room 222, Mannix, Gunsmoke, The Rockford Files, Quincy M.E., The Golden Girls, NYPD Blue, Port Charles, Moesha, and Judging Amy. Her final credited acting role was in a 2009 episode of Cold Case.
Early Life and Distinguished Stage Roots
Born Alzenia Lynn Hamilton on April 25, 1930, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, her family moved to Chicago when she was four years old. She grew up in the Chicago Heights area, attending Bloom High School. Hamilton honed her craft studying at the Goodman School of Drama Theater and gained early acting experience with a South Side Chicago theater company. Facing challenges as the only Black actor in her class at Goodman, she persevered, building a foundation that would serve her throughout her career.
Relocating to New York City in 1956, Hamilton quickly made her mark in the vibrant theater scene. She made her Broadway debut in the 1959 play Only in America and appeared in other short-lived productions like The Cool World and Face of a Hero. Her classical training included performing Shakespeare for renowned producer Joseph Papp. She also dedicated three years to the New York Shakespeare Festival and was part of President Kennedy’s cultural exchange program, touring internationally in productions such as The Miracle Worker and The Skin of Our Teeth. In 1966, she joined the Seattle Repertory Theatre before deciding to remain in Los Angeles after a 1968 audition for Funny Girl.
Film Appearances and Personal Life
While primarily known for her television work, Hamilton also appeared in several films. She made her big-screen debut in John Cassavetes’ groundbreaking 1959 drama Shadows. Her film credits include Brother John (1971) and Buck and the Preacher (1972), both starring Sidney Poitier, as well as Lady Sings the Blues (1972), Hangup (1974), Leadbelly (1976), The Jesse Owens Story (1984), Legal Eagles (1986), The Vanishing (1993), and the documentary Beah: A Black Woman Speaks (2003).
In her personal life, Lynn Hamilton was married to the acclaimed poet and playwright Frank Jenkins from 1964 until his death in 2014. The couple frequently collaborated on theater productions, including the plays Nobody and The Bert Williams Story. Rev. Carson characterized their long partnership as “a shining example of creativity, love, and dedication.” After Jenkins’ passing, Hamilton moved back to Chicago.
A recipient of the prestigious NAACP Award, Lynn Hamilton leaves behind a legacy as a versatile and talented actress who graced stages and screens for over half a century, leaving an enduring impact on the world of entertainment. Her passing marks the end of an era, but her contributions continue to inspire.
