 Washington Post | Jeffersons actor Cover dies at 77 BBC News - Actor Franklin Cover, best-known for his role in US TV sitcom The Jeffersons, has died at the age of 77. In the show Cover played Tom Willis - neighbour to the Jeffersons, an African American couple who moved into a luxurious apartment building. Actor who played the Jeffersons' neighbour dies "Jeffersons" Star Moves On Up |