As word of Sherman Hemsley's death makes its way around the internet, sympathies are beginning to pour in for the man that portrayed the ground-breaking fictional television character George Jefferson.

Millionaire hip-hop producer Russell Simmons shared his sentiments moments ago on Twitter writing, "DAMN I love that n*gga":

DAMN I love that n*gga... bit.ly/LLIYft

— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) July 24, 2012

The included link went to a recent picture of Hemsley.

Exit question: could a white conservative like me get away with tweeting that, or would my career be over?

Whatever the answer, rest in peace, Sherman.