Isabel Sanford's illustrious career spanned over three decades, during which she made a significant impact on the world of entertainment, initially as a prominent Broadway actress. Her remarkable talent and dedication to her craft led her to transition to Hollywood, where she made numerous guest appearances on television, including a notable stint as a supporting cast member on the iconic variety show, The Carol Burnett Show, which premiered in 1967. Throughout her long and distinguished career, Isabel continued to act frequently, even in her later years, most notably in a series of commercials for Old Navy stores alongside her dear friend and former co-star, Sherman Hemsley, with whom she shared many memorable moments on the hit television sitcom, The Jeffersons, which debuted in 1975. Furthermore, Isabel also made several commercials for Nick-at-Nite when the cable channel premiered The Jeffersons, solidifying her enduring legacy in the world of entertainment.
Personal Details
BornAug 29, 1917 New York City, New York, USA
Parents
- Josephine Perry Sanford
- James Edward Sanford
Relatives
- Dorothy Butts (Cousin)
Biography
Career
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2003

The Simpsons as Isabel Sanford (voice)
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2000

Click Three Times as Dorothy
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1999

Jackie's Back! as Miss Krumes (Jackie's Play Mama)
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1998

Jane Austen's Mafia! as Louise Jefferson (uncredited)
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1997

Sprung as Sista #1
{"id":7855,"title":"Original Gangstas","year":"1996","character":"Gracie Bookman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/original-gangstas","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_7855.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_7855.jpg"},"released":1}
1996

Original Gangstas as Gracie Bookman
{"id":966,"title":"Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman","year":1994,"character":"Margaret Duffy","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/lois-clark-the-new-adventures-of-superman","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/47aip7urs5k0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/47aip7urs5k0.jpg"},"released":1}
1994

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman as Margaret Duffy
{"id":158534,"title":"South Beach","year":"1993","character":"Mama","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/south-beach","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_158534.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_158534.jpg"},"released":1}
1993

South Beach as Mama
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{"id":160212,"title":"Pucker Up and Bark Like a Dog","year":"1989","character":"Joanna","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/pucker-up-and-bark-like-a-dog","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_160212.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_160212.jpg"},"released":1}
1989

Pucker Up and Bark Like a Dog as Joanna
{"id":9953,"title":"Crazy Like a Fox","year":1985,"character":"Car Rental Receptionist","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/crazy-like-a-fox","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_9953.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_9953.jpg"},"released":1}
1985

Crazy Like a Fox as Car Rental Receptionist
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1980

Steigler and Steigler as Dottie Butz
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1979

Love at First Bite as Judge R. Thomas
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1975

The Jeffersons as Louise Jefferson
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1974

The Photographer as Mrs. Slade
{"id":8610,"title":"Kojak","year":1973,"character":"Grace","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/kojak-1973","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_8610.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_8610.jpg"},"released":1}
1973

Kojak as Grace
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1972

Hickey & Boggs as Nyona's Mother
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The New Centurions as Wilma
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Lady Sings the Blues as The Madame
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The Great Man's Whiskers as Ella
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Stand Up and Be Counted as Beverly
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Up the Sandbox as Maria
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1971

All in the Family as Louise Jefferson
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1970

The Red, White, and Black as Isabel Taylor
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1969

Pendulum as Effie
{"id":81941,"title":"The Comic","year":"1969","character":"Woman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-comic-1969","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_81941.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_81941.jpg"},"released":1}

The Comic as Woman
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Daniel Boone as Maybelle
{"id":65231,"title":"The Young Runaways","year":"1968","character":"Sarah","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-young-runaways","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_65231.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_65231.jpg"},"released":1}
1968

The Young Runaways as Sarah
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{"id":6009,"title":"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner","year":"1967","character":"Tillie","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/guess-whos-coming-to-dinner","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1ect5k2oklno.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1ect5k2oklno.jpg"},"released":1}
1967

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner as Tillie
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1982