Lynn Hamilton passed away on June 19, 2025, at her Chicago home at the age of 95. Her passing was attributed to natural causes, with her publicist confirming she died peacefully surrounded by grandchildren, family, and caregivers.
Early Life, Marriage & Family
Born Alzenia Lynn Hamilton in Yazoo City, Mississippi, on April 25, 1930, she was the daughter of Nancy and Louis Hamilton. Her family relocated to Chicago Heights, Illinois, when she was about twelve. She attended Bloom High School there and later pursued acting at the prestigious Goodman School of Drama in Chicago.
Lynn Hamilton married Frank Jenkins, a poet and playwright, in November 1964. Their marriage lasted 49 years until his death in August 2014. The couple had one child together. Sources emphasize their enduring partnership, both personally and professionally.
Lynn Hamilton Relation with LaWanda Page's Sister
As noted, a persistent rumor claimed she was LaWanda Page's sister, but this has been firmly debunked.
No credible evidence indicates she had any siblings. A persistent rumor linked her as sister to LaWanda Page (Esther on Sanford and Son), but both public records and statements from co-star Demond Wilson confirmed they were not related—it was merely coincidental that each woman shared that name.
Lynn Hamilton Career Overview
Hamilton began in Chicago community theater. Her Broadway debut came in 1959 in Only in America, followed by roles in several other Broadway and Off-Broadway productions and a stint with the New York Shakespeare Festival.
Her first film role was in John Cassavetes’s Shadows (1958), credited as “Girl at Party.” She also appeared (uncredited) in The New Girl (1960) and went on to roles in Brother John (1971), The Seven Minutes (1971), Buck and the Preacher (1972), and Lady Sings the Blues (1972).
Lynn Hamilton’s most iconic role came in television: Donna Harris on Sanford and Son (1972–1977). Initially a guest as a landlady, she became Fred Sanford’s girlfriend and eventually fiancée, starring in episodes throughout the show's prime years. Hamilton was selected from hundreds of actresses for her dignified presence—Redd Foxx himself valued her character’s elegance.
She had a recurring presence as Verdie Grant Foster on The Waltons (1973–1981), appearing in several episodes. Additional credits include guest or recurring roles on Roots:
The Next Generation, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Golden Girls, Gunsmoke, NYPD Blue, Dangerous Women, Generations, Port Charles, and The Practice (as Judge.
Her later television credits included 227, Good Times, Legal Eagles, Moesha, Beah: A Black Woman Speaks, and Cold Case (last screen role in 2009).
Stage and Collaborative Works
On Broadway she appeared in four productions in the late ’50s/early ’60s. She also collaborated with her husband, playwright Frank Jenkins, on productions including Nobody: The Bert Williams Story.
Lynn Hamilton Net Worth
Estimating net worth for performers of Lynn Hamilton’s era is inherently imprecise, but public sources suggest her estate was likely around $3 million.
Online profiles (though unofficial) place her net worth in that range, reflecting decades of steady work across theater, film, and television.
Honors & Recognition
Beginning from Chicago community theater to Broadway and onto prime-time television, her career spanned over five decades. She broke barriers for Black actresses and brought dignity to her roles as a nurse, judge, wife, and community figure .
She earned acknowledgment across multiple media: Broadway and theater communities, television syndicates, and legacy cast reunions. In 2012, she participated in The Waltons 40th-anniversary celebration.
Lynn Hamilton’s story is one of grace, substance, and longevity. Over fifty years, she built a body of work that showcased her talent and integrity.
With roles spanning stage and screen, she brought intelligence, beauty, and relatability to iconic television characters.
Her journey—from Yazoo City to Chicago to Hollywood—underscores a life lived with intention and artistry.
As remembered by fans, critics, and colleagues, she will continue to inspire future generations as an emblem of class, strength, and quiet brilliance.
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