First "serious" trans story on a U.S. network sitcom - THE JEFFERSONS: "Once a Friend" - 1977
By Tre’vell Anderson Dec. 18, 2015
The Los Angeles Times: During the fourth season of “The Jeffersons,” the series Norman Lear created as the black spinoff of “All in the Family,” Sherman Hemsley’s character, George [Jefferson], is excited about reconnecting with an old Navy buddy. Knocking on his friend Eddie’s hotel room door, George prepares himself for a trip down memory lane, especially the story of how a drunken night of fun led to the tattoo on Eddie’s right arm. But opening the door is not Eddie. It’s Edie. George’s wartime mate is now a transgender woman. Though George initially couldn’t wrap his head around his old friend’s identity, by the end of the episode, which first aired in October 1977, the two embrace as they did years ago.
My Note: The only downside to this presentation was the part of Edie (now female Eddie) was played by a woman not a true Trans woman; Veronica Redd.
Veronica Redd: Edie’s Legacy
“That range of emotions such a person might be expected to reveal was an actor’s dream come true,” Redd recalls. “Casting agents were chomping at the bit just to meet me after that episode aired, and I pretty much worked as a character actor for several years non-stop. Edie/Eddie was the role that turned the tide for many people beyond myself and seems to continue inspiring courage and agency in many who watch it in its various reiterations even today.”
Gosh, I remember this episode. I was always ready to consume anything about transgender persons when they came on TV. I used to skim the TV guide reading just looking for something like this. It’s true. This was groundbreaking for the time become a long way, but still have a long way to go Paula G
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