July 9th in African American History – Eloise Gwendolyn Isabel Sanford 

 July 9, 2004 Eloise Gwendolyn Isabel Sanford, television and film actress, died.

Sanford was born August 29, 1917 in New York City. She made her film debut in the 1967 movie “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” Other films in which she appeared include “Lady Sings the Blues” (1972), “Love At First Bite” (1979), and “Sprung” (1997). Sanford is best known for her role as Louise Jefferson on the television situation comedies “All in the Family” (1971 to 1975) and “The Jeffersons” (1975 to 1985).

In 1981, Sanford received the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, the first African American to win in that category. She was nominated in that category six additional times. Sanford has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to the television industry.