Ms. Lynn Hamilton, widely recognized for her portrayal of Donna Harris on the acclaimed 1970s television series Sanford and Son, has passed away at the age of 95.
According to official reports, Ms. Hamilton died of natural causes on Thursday, June 19, 2025, and was in the presence of her loved ones at the time of her passing.
Confirmation of her death was publicly issued by her former manager and publicist, Reverend Calvin Carson, who released a formal statement via Instagram. In his remarks, Reverend Carson paid tribute to Ms. Hamilton’s legacy and described her life as “extraordinary.”
Ms. Lynn Hamilton commenced her career in the entertainment industry in the late 1950s, ultimately establishing a presence across multiple mediums including television, film, stage, and modeling. Over the course of her distinguished career, she made notable appearances in a variety of acclaimed television series, including The Waltons, Gunsmoke, and The Rockford Files, in addition to her widely recognized role on Sanford and Son.
In a tribute shared alongside archival photographs of Ms. Hamilton, her former manager and publicist, Reverend Calvin Carson, issued the following statement:
“With profound gratitude and admiration, we celebrate the extraordinary life of iconic actress Alzenia ‘Lynn’ Hamilton-Jenkins, whose remarkable legacy continues to uplift and inspire. Her illustrious career, spanning over five decades, has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment, motivating audiences across the globe through her work as a model, stage, film, and television actress.”
Mr. Calvin Carson further recalled Ms. Hamilton’s “captivating performances” in numerous productions, notably including Sanford and Son, Dangerous Women, and Roots: The Next Generation.
In his statement, Reverend Carson noted that, “Throughout her remarkable career, Lynn frequently collaborated with her husband, Mr. Frank S. Jenkins, on various theatrical productions.” He identified Nobody and The Bert Williams Story as two of the “acclaimed” stage works on which the couple partnered, observing that their professional union “served as a shining example of creativity, love, and dedication.”
Concluding his tribute, Reverend Carson affirmed that Ms. Hamilton’s “passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations.”
In the wake of the announcement, followers on the social media platform X conveyed their condolences. One user remarked, “She was on a lot of TV shows back in the day, wonderful actress,” while another commented, “Aww. Loved her on The Waltons.” A further tribute read, “It was always good to know Lynn Hamilton aka Donna Harris was still around. A great character actress and very nice lady. May Ms. Hamilton forever rest in peace.”#newsafro_
