Lynn Hamilton

Alzenia Lynn Hamilton was a trailblazing American actress whose career spanned five decades. Raised in Chicago Heights, Illinois, she honed her craft at Bloom High School and studied at Goodman Theatre before making her Broadway debut in 1959 with "Only in America." She also performed off‑Broadway and with the New York Shakespeare Festival.

On screen, she first appeared in John Cassavetes’ film "Shadows" (1958), followed by roles in "Brother John" (1971), "Buck and the Preacher" (1972), and "Lady Sings the Blues" (1973). Her best-known role was Donna Harris, the dignified girlfriend and later fiancée of Fred Sanford on the sitcom “Sanford and Son” (1972–1977). Producers expanded her character after her strong chemistry with Redd Foxx and a memorable initial appearance as his landlady.

Simultaneously, she played Verdie Grant Foster on “The Waltons” from 1973 to 1981. Her résumé further included guest appearances on shows such as "Good Times," "The Rockford Files," "Barnaby Jones," "Roots: The Next Generation," "227," "Dangerous Women," "Generations," "The Golden Girls," and "The Practice." Hamilton officially retired in 2009, with her last public appearance in 2012 at “The Waltons” 40th‑anniversary reunion.

Her personal life was marked by a long marriage — to playwright Frank Jenkins — from 1964 until his death in 2014; they had one child.