Lynn Hamilton, the acclaimed character actress best known for her role as Donna Harris on the iconic sitcom ‘Sanford and Son,’ passed away on June 19 at the age of 95.
Hamilton’s portrayal of the caring nurse engaged to Fred Sanford, played by Redd Foxx, became a memorable aspect of the show, which aired from 1972 to 1977 and was celebrated for its representation of Black families on television.
According to Calvin Carson, her publicist and manager, Hamilton died from natural causes at her Chicago area home, surrounded by her family.
‘Lincoln and Son’ was a groundbreaking series that paved the way for future television shows featuring Black family dynamics.
In addition to her role on ‘Sanford and Son,’ Hamilton appeared in the first Black soap opera, ‘Generations,’ on NBC, and had guest roles on popular shows such as ‘The Waltons.’
In a 1980 interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Hamilton expressed her desire for purposeful roles.
‘I like to be as selective as I can,’ she said.
‘I will not do a part I cannot find virtue in. People who appear on television have a responsibility.
There has been a real decline in what they’re putting on television, particularly for women my age—way over 40.’
Born on April 25, 1930, in Yazoo, Mississippi, Hamilton moved to the Chicago area with her family.
She attended Bloom High School in Chicago Heights, where she was involved in the drama club but lamented, ‘there were no plays where a Black girl could perform in.’
She later studied acting at the Goodman Theatre, associated with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Hamilton faced various challenges breaking into the industry, recalling in the interview that early in her career, she portrayed maids in three shows.
In her final year of acting school, she was even placed in white-face makeup to secure a role, stating, ‘you know—it worked.’
Following her studies, Hamilton enjoyed a prominent stage career, earning roles in Broadway productions and collaborating with the prestigious New York Shakespeare Festival.
In her personal life, Hamilton married poet and playwright Frank S. Jenkins, who passed away in 2014.
The couple resided in the Los Angeles area until Hamilton returned to Chicago a few years ago to live with family.
Over the years, Hamilton appeared in numerous television shows, including ‘Gunsmoke,’ ‘Hawaii Five-O,’ ‘Knight Rider,’ ‘The Golden Girls,’ and ‘Starsky & Hutch.’
In the later years of her career, she was seen on ‘The Practice,’ ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’ and ‘Cold Case.’
Hamilton’s film credits include notable titles such as ‘Lady Sings the Blues,’ featuring Diana Ross, ‘Buck and the Preacher’ with legends Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, and Ruby Dee, as well as ‘The Vanishing,’ starring Jeff Bridges and Kiefer Sutherland.
Her contributions to the arts were recognized when she received the Lorraine Hansberry Award in 2016 from the Goodman Theatre, honoring African American women who made significant impacts on American theater.
Beyond her acting career, Hamilton was passionate about gardening.
‘For many years, she had a lemon tree in her backyard in California and grew peppers in her garden that were hot—and when I say hot, even a person who loves spice couldn’t handle these,’ Carson noted.
Hamilton’s ability to withstand the heat of her peppers was a source of delight for her.
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