Coroner: Hemsley died of natural cause; no autopsy

74-year-old actor had been ill

Updated: Wednesday, 25 Jul 2012, 1:54 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 25 Jul 2012, 1:54 PM EDT

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — The El Paso medical examiner's office says Sherman Hemsley, who played George Jefferson in the television sitcom "The Jeffersons," died of natural causes and that no autopsy will be performed.

Coroner's office administration manager Irene Santiago said Wednesday that the 74-year-old actor had been ill. She did not elaborate.

El Paso police said in a press release that the actor was found dead Tuesday and that no foul play is suspected. Neighbors say Hemsley had lived in the same house for several years.

Hemsley first played Jefferson in the CBS sitcom "All in the Family" and starred in "The Jeffersons" spinoff from 1975 to 1985.

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