Lee Weaver, known for Roles in ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-air’ and ‘Hill Street Blues,’ Dies at 95
Another actor from the beloved sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air has passed away. Lee Weaver, who played Ed Downer, the maintenance man who briefly captured the attention of Uncle Phil’s mother, died on September 22 at his Los Angeles home due to natural causes. His family waited more than a month to publicly announce his death.
Weaver’s passing adds to the recent losses within the Fresh Prince family, following the death of floyd Roger Myers Jr. in October, who portrayed a young Will Smith in the series. While known to a younger audience for his role in the 90s sitcom, Weaver enjoyed a prolific career spanning decades, leaving a mark on television with memorable performances in shows like The Cosby show and Hill Street Blues.
The actor’s family described him as someone who “wove joy, depth and portrayal into every role he played and everything he did,” calling him a television legend. Weaver’s most recognizable role may have been as the exhibitionist Naked Buck in Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue, a character who consistently stole scenes.
He also appeared for three years on The Cosby Show, playing the brother of the protagonist’s gym teacher. Weaver is survived by his wife of 55 years, actress Ta-Tanisha (known for her role as Pam Simpson on Room 222), and their four children.