NBC10 has learned that Thursday's public memorial service to honor actor Sherman Hemsley has been canceled.
The service was scheduled to be held at Deliverance Evangelistic Church in North Philadelphia. The church confirmed to NBC10 on Wednesday night that the service was canceled.
NBC10 talked with a man who says he is Hemsley's cousin, who was supposed to lead the service. He tells us it was canceled because his relationship to the actor is being questioned.
"They called up the church, made accusations against me, they're attacking my character," Rev. Michael Wells tells NBC10. "I am related to Sherman Hemsley."
Hemsley was a native of South Philadelphia. The 74-year-old actor died July 24 at his home in Texas.
He was best known for his role as George Jefferson in the sitcom "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons."
