Not enough has been written about Sherman Hemsley, the actor who brought us one of television’s most wonderful characters: The Jeffersons‘ George Jefferson, the greatest dry cleaner of all time. Sherman’s journey to stardom wasn’t a traditional one by any means; before becoming an actor, Sherman served in the Air Force and also worked for the Postal Service. There is something truly special about actors who actually have lived a relatively normal life before discovering fame and fortune. In Hollywood, they seem more grounded and more real, which helps them to become more authentic in whatever role they play.

