Isabel Sanford was nearly 60 when she landed her own sitcom, but she would be nearly 90 before relinquished the role.

Sanford, who played Louise Jefferson, the put-upon, dry-cleaner mogul's wife known to the pop-culturally literate as "Weezie," in The Jeffersons, All in the Family and a host of guest spots and commercials, died Friday at a Los Angeles hospital of natural causes, her publicist announced Monday. She was 86.

Sanford had been admitted to Cedars Sinai Medical Center on July 4. Her family told the Associated Press her health had been on the decline since surgery on a neck artery 10 months ago.

The 1981 Emmy winner as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for The Jeffersons, Sanford was the first black actress to be so honored. In all, she earned seven Emmy nominations and five Golden Globe nominations, during her Jeffersons run.

Sanford and on-screen hubby Sherman Hemsley starred on The Jeffersons from 1975-85. She appeared as Louise Jefferson in a recurring role on All in the Family from 1971-75.

i think we have a thread on this already up, but outta respect for la weezie, i'm moving it to general discussion anyhoo.