Lee Weaver

Lee Wellington Weaver (April 10, 1930 – September 22, 2025) was an American actor known for his appearances in sitcoms like Easy Street and The Bill Cosby Show.

Early life and career Weaver was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on April 10, 1930, to Primus Jest and Josephine Weaver. He graduated from Florida A&M University and enlisted in the United States Army when he was 22.

He was the voice of Alpine in the animated television series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1985–1986). Weaver played a friend of George Jefferson on "The Jeffersons" season three episode 16 "George's Guilt" (1977). Weaver was also the original mailman on 227 (1985). Weaver played the role of Ricardo in the television series Easy Street (1986–1987). He appeared as a blind seer in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) and he also appeared in one episode of One World (2000), a situation-comedy television series. Weaver had a guest appearance on an episode of The Cosby Show as a waiter. He appeared as a Junkyard Owner in an episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Weaver also played the role of Ed Downer, a handyman who became an interest of Philip Banks' mom, on an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Perhaps his most memorable role was the exuberant exhibitionist "Buck Naked," who enlivened episodes of Steven Bochco's police dramas, Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue.

Personal life and death Weaver was a childhood friend of Cannonball Adderley, and served as the best man at his wedding. On his 1963 album Nippon Soul, Adderley introduces the Yusef Lateef composition "The Weaver" as "dedicated to a...dear friend of everyone in the band, kind of a jive cat, but a beautiful cat. His name is Weaver, Lee Weaver. So the tune sounds somethin' like Lee Weaver. It's soulful, it's mean."

Weaver died at his home in Los Angeles, on September 22, 2025, at the age of 95.

Filmography

Film

Television