Franklin Cover, 77; Was White Neighbor in ‘The Jeffersons’

Franklin Cover, 77, who became a familiar face to television viewers as George and Louise Jefferson’s white neighbor on the long-running sitcom “The Jeffersons,” died Sunday of pneumonia at an assisted living facility in Englewood, N.J. He had been in failing health since December with a heart condition.

Born in Cleveland, Cover began his acting career on stage, appearing in “Hamlet” and “Henry IV,” and later in several Broadway productions, including “Any Wednesday,” “Wild Honey” and “Born Yesterday.” His film credits include “The Great Gatsby,” “The Stepford Wives” (1975) and “Wall Street.”

But he was probably best known for his role as Tom Willis, a white man married to a black woman, in “The Jeffersons.” He and his wife lived in the same building that George Jefferson, played by Sherman Hemsley, moved his family to after making money in the dry-cleaning business. Cover was often the comic foil to Jefferson’s blustering opinions. The show ran from 1975 to 1985.

Cover made numerous appearances on television shows, including “The Jackie Gleason Show,” “All in the Family,” “Who’s the Boss?” “Will & Grace,” “Living Single,” “Mad About You” and “ER.”