Lynn Hamilton Net Worth

What was Lynn Hamilton's net worth?

Lynn Hamilton was an American actress who had a net worth of $1 million. Lynn Hamilton was best known for her recurring roles as Donna Harris, the poised and patient girlfriend of Fred Sanford on "Sanford and Son," and as the kind-hearted Miss Verdie on "The Waltons." A trained stage actress with classical chops, Hamilton brought dignity, depth, and warmth to every role she played, often representing underseen dimensions of Black womanhood on screen. In addition to her celebrated TV work, she appeared in multiple feature films, toured the world with theatrical productions, and starred in two soap operas.

Hamilton broke barriers early in her career, often being the only Black performer in her theater classes or productions. Her work resonated deeply with audiences because of her grounded presence and commanding emotional range. Whether trading barbs with Redd Foxx or portraying a late-in-life literacy student in Appalachia, Hamilton imbued each character with humanity, grace, and strength.

Early Life and Stage Roots

Alzenia Lynn Hamilton was born on April 25, 1930, in Yazoo City, Mississippi. When she was four, her family moved to Chicago, where she later graduated from Bloom High School in Chicago Heights. Although she initially dabbled in modeling, Hamilton's passion for acting led her to enroll in the Goodman School of Drama Theater. She recalled being the only Black student in her class and said that at the time, "there weren't any roles for me." Undeterred, she gained valuable experience performing with a South Side Chicago theater troupe.

In 1956, Hamilton moved to New York to pursue acting more seriously. She quickly landed a part in John Cassavetes' influential indie film "Shadows" (1959), which marked her feature film debut. She also performed in four Broadway productions — "Only in America" (1959), "The Cool World" (1960), "Face of a Hero" (1960), and "Tambourines to Glory" (1963) — though none had long runs.

She spent time working with Joseph Papp's Shakespeare Festival and later toured the globe as part of President John F. Kennedy's cultural exchange program, performing in productions of "The Miracle Worker" and "The Skin of Our Teeth." In 1966, she joined the Seattle Repertory Theatre and solidified her reputation as a formidable stage actress.

Breakthrough on Television

Hamilton's major television break came in 1972, when she appeared in the seventh episode of "Sanford and Son," playing a no-nonsense landlady. The producers were so impressed by her performance that they created the role of Donna Harris — a registered nurse and Fred Sanford's love interest — specifically for her. She played Donna for the remainder of the show's run through 1977. Although Fred and Donna became engaged on the series, they never married — much to the chagrin of Fred's son Lamont, who often referred to her as "The Barracuda."

In a 2009 interview, Hamilton recalled that Redd Foxx wanted someone "dignified" opposite his raunchy character. Their chemistry was palpable, and her grounded, calming presence balanced out the show's fast-paced humor.

Role on "The Waltons"

While still appearing on "Sanford and Son," Hamilton took on another iconic recurring role: Miss Verdie Grant on "The Waltons." She made her first appearance in 1973's Emmy-winning episode "The Scholar," where her character, a warm and proud Black woman, learns to read and write late in life. She would go on to appear in 16 episodes between 1973 and 1981, and reprise the role in later Waltons TV movies in the 1990s. Her character ultimately marries Harley Foster, played by fellow "Sanford and Son" alum Hal Williams.

Film and Later Television Work

Hamilton's film credits include several notable titles from the 1970s and 1980s, including "Brother John" (1971), "Buck and the Preacher" (1972), "Lady Sings the Blues" (1972), "Leadbelly" (1976), and "Legal Eagles" (1986). She also appeared in the 1979 miniseries "Roots: The Next Generations" as Cousin Georgia Anderson.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Hamilton starred on two soap operas: as matriarch Vivian Potter in "Generations" and as ex-con Cissie Johnson in "Dangerous Women." Additional television credits included recurring parts on "227" and "The Practice," as well as guest appearances on shows such as "The Golden Girls," "NYPD Blue," "Cold Case," "Quincy M.E.," "Judging Amy," and "The Rockford Files."

Personal Life and Legacy

In 1964, Hamilton married poet and playwright Frank Jenkins, best known for his satirical play "Driving While Black in Beverly Hills." The couple remained together until Jenkins' death in 2014 at age 89. That same year, Hamilton moved back to her hometown of Chicago, where she lived until her death.

Lynn Hamilton died of natural causes on June 20, 2025, at her home in Chicago. She was 95.