Isabel Sanford of 'The Jeffersons' Dies

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Isabel Sanford, best known as "Weezie" or Louise Jefferson on the sitcom "The Jeffersons," has died of natural causes, her publicist said Monday. She was 86.

Sanford had been hospitalized since July 4 and died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with her daughter Pamela Ruff at her side, longtime friend, publicist and manager Brad Lemack said.

Her health waned after she underwent preventive surgery on a neck artery 10 months ago, Lemack said. He did not release a specific cause of death.

Sanford made her feature film debut in the classic "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," before co-starring with Sherman Hemsley for more than 10 years in CBS's "The Jeffersons," a spin-off of the popular series "All in the Family," in which she also appeared.

In 1981, Sanford became the first black woman to receive an Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.

She had recently appeared on "The Simpsons" and in commercial campaigns for Denny's restaurants and retailer Old Navy.

In addition to her daughter, Sanford is survived by two sons, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be private but a public memorial service is planned, Lemack said.