Turns out, he has some very interesting and deep reasons for this. Evans played Lenny in the cast of the 197677 Danny Thomas situation comedy The Practice during its second and final season. Franklin Cover first began acting in 1960 and was on The Jackie Gleason Showa couple of times in 1967 as a police officer. Mike EvansAll in the Family Kiss announce farewell tour set to conclude in NYC On the first two seasons of All in the Family, Lionel has an uncle named Henry. George (front) with wife Louise and son Lionel. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. The next day, Damon began taking steps to make his life better. He was 57. Michael Jonas Evans was born November 3, 1949, in Salisbury, North Carolina. Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "All in the Family" circa 1971 | Photo: Getty Images. Mike Evans died in 2006 in his mothers house. Under the influence, the actor walked to the George Washington Bridge, intending to jump into the Hudson River. Show developer Norman Lear preferred Cleavon Little for the role, but Rich lobbied to cast an actor who would appear less threatening. I was afraid of change.. Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. She has a career that has included television, movies and live performances. He was 57. The actor, who was 57 at the time of his passing, was famous for playing the role of Lionel Jefferson first in "All in the Family," and later in "The Jeffersons.". Away from the world of entertainment, Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx Community College in 2007. Work would take him to London, where he gained quite the reputation for his brilliance onstage. Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in . Thinking that this is the beginning of the \"easy life,\" George is ill-prepared for the unexpected pitfalls his new address will bring him. 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Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The show touched on issues that were taboo on TV at the time such as homosexuality, abortion, racism, rape, religion and more. When Lionel Jefferson actor Mike Evans left The Jeffersons shortly after the All in the Family spin-off debuted on CBS in 1975, it was . Getting high was all that matteredI didnt have any pride, Evans admitted. I just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes. target_type: 'mix' He was 57. The hit show was a spinoff featuring bigoted Archie Bunker's black neighbors in Queens who "move on up to the East Side" of Manhattan. It was later revealed that he was actually "Henry Jefferson," "George's" brother. Evans was a creator/writer of the series Good Times (197479).[4]. Check out an interview that Damon did with blogger, Keith Boykin: Interviewer: How did the experience on [The Jeffersons] affect your life? Evans, along with Eric Monte, also created and wrote for "Good Times," one of the first TV comedy series that featured a primarily black cast. TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Maestro cue the outro music! He left in 1981 to pursue other projects but returned in 1983. Unfortunately, in the years that followed, Damon soon realized Hollywood had mostly typecast him as the comedic character, Lionel. However, he wanted to prove his diversity. or "Lawd almighty, what is we gonna do?"). Damon Evans played Lionel from seasons 2-4, before being replaced by Mike Evans, who left the series to co-produce and develop another Norman Lear series. He reportedly had a huge crush on a girl who was older than him. He also portrayed the young Alex Haley (ages 17-25) in the ABC television miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.. Paul Benedict (September 17, 1938 December 1, 2008) was an American actor who made numerous appearances in television and films, beginning in 1965. Michael Jonas Evans was born Nov. 3, 1949, in Salisbury, N.C. His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist while his mother, Annie Sue Evans, was a school teacher. And things start evolving and I started tutoring. (FYI: He is not related to Mike Evans, who played the first Lionel on the show). To get her attention, he called her Weezy, and it stuck. Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. He was later played by Damon Evans, while Mike was working with Monte co-creator of Good Times writing scripts for the series. He was originally portrayed by D'Urville Martin for two unaired pilots, before the role was recast with Mike Evans. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', We all remember "Jenny Willis," "Tom's" and "Helen's" daughter on The Jeffersons, but many of us didn't hear much from her outside of a few other roles in films like Harlem Knights, Goodfellas, and such. He also acted in the 1976 TV miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man and made guest appearances on the TV series Love, American Style and The Streets of San Francisco. His last role was in a 2000 episode of Walker, Texas Ranger.. Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. I guess you can say that we all learn something new everyday, dont we? 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The late star was born in Salisbury, North Carolina in 1949, son to father Theodore Evans Sr., who made a living as a dentist, and to mother Annie Sue Evans, who worked as a school teacher. Damon was only 25 in 1975 when he was tapped to replace Mike Evans (no relation) as Lionel Jefferson in the primetime TV show. Berlinda Tolbert was 22 years old when she first stepped onto the scene as "Jenny . does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Talk about stress and adjustment issues. What happened to Hines during that decade is the stuff legends are made of. Also, Sherman Hemsley was not the original George Jefferson. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. Lionel sometimes loses patience with Michael, feeling that Michael relates to him as a representative of the black community rather than as an individual. _taboola.push({ *Singing* Well were moving on up! window._taboola = window._taboola || []; Lionel is introduced in the first episode (and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does). Lionel is introduced in the first episode (and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does). Evans was a creator/writer of the series Good Times (197479). Thankfully, Mike Evans decided to return midway during season four, so all was well again. I had not even seen one episode of the show before I took over the part, and the producers discouraged me from ever watching any of the episodes in which Mike had appeared. In 2007 (at age 56) he earned his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx College in New York. Mike Evans returned to the series in September 1979 and appeared regularly as Lionel for two more seasons. Unfortunately, when Damon's work permit in the UK expired, and he returned to the United States, the actor discovered he had been typecast as a comedic character. On September 11, 2002, Helena Evans died of breast cancer after she was diagnosed in February 2001. Isabel Sanford, (born August 29, 1917, New York, New York, U.S.died July 9, 2004, Los Angeles, California), American actress best known for her role as Louise (Weezy) Jefferson in the long-running television situation comedy The Jeffersons (197585). As such, Lionel often enjoys patronizing Archie's attitudes by playing dumb in conversations and adopting a stereotypical speech pattern (saying things like "I'm gon' be a 'lectical engineer!" This event creates tension for Archie, though it elates Michael and Gloria. [3] Actor and opera singer Damon Evans (no relation to Michael) then took the role of Lionel, but Mike Evans returned in the role for the sixth through eighth seasons. But he didn't waste any time finding a new project and found himself working behind the cameras in "Good Times," the show which he helped create and started writing for. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; He was originally portrayed by D'Urville Martin for two unaired pilots, before the role was recast with Evans . What happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons? While the actor was away from the Jeffersons, Damon Evans, who starred in the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" and Broadway's "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope," replaced him between the second and fourth seasons. All Rights Reserved. He was 57. She has been married to Tom Willis, a white man, for 34 years. 22 (AP) Mike Evans, an actor best known for playing Lionel Jefferson on the 1970s sitcom All in the Family and its popular spinoff The Jeffersons, died at his mothers home here on Dec. 14. Damon: No, they do know Im gay but they wont accept it. Evans is also a successful stage performer, and is currently attending . ", Mike Evans' daughter Carlena Harris | Photo: YouTube/Carlena Harris. He was 57. Damon sure had all of us fooled. 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Mike Evans left The Jeffersons after its first season in order to devote more time to writing for Maude spin-off Good Times, which he had helped create. Father and daughter stopped talking for good when she was 21 years old, and he kept on denying that he was Harris' biological father, claiming that his brother a man that nobody ever knew was her real dad. While Carlene suffered a lot at his hands, she eventually forgave him. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. In 1978, Damon quit "The Jeffersons" to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. Turns out, he has some very interesting and deep reasons for this. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. Talk about stress and adjustment issues., In a 2001 PEOPLE interview, the actor further revealed that his dissatisfaction caused him to act out. I had a really bad attitude.. When Lionel gets laid off from his job, George hires him to work in his office. What happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons? Mike Evans and more members of the "All in the Family" cast circa 1972 | Photo: Getty Images. One could say Mike was quite successful in the entertainment industry for a little more than a decade. Lear improvised and hired Mel Stewart as a sort of placeholder. In the sitcoms storyline, Stewart posed as George Jefferson when he joined Georges wife, Louise (played by Isabel Sanford), for dinner at the Bunker home. "Good Times". Damon Evans was a cast member on the CBS hit 70s sitcom The Jeffersons, but while everyone must have thought he had the best life, Evans was battling personal demons that would lead him down a drug-fueled path and near-suicide. With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. And you know but gradually it happened, and of course, theres this whole new world in life. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. Remember him? According to her, she was raised by her mother and grandmother, and that, shockingly, Mike absolutely refused to believe that he was her biological father. When Lionel's father finally shows up, someone apparently has to leave to make room. Although he was supposed to play a more significant role with more screen time, he left after the first season. Damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on . Damon Evans (born November 24, 1949) is an American actor, best known as the second of two actors who portrayed Lionel Jefferson on the The Jeffersons. Damon sure had all of us fooled. In the second half of Wednesday's Live in Front of a They eventually marry and gave birth to a daughter, Jessica. 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Mike Evans and other cast members of "The Jeffersons" circa 1974 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. George, opposed to miscegenation, calls Helen and Tom "zebras" or "chocolate and . According to Jimmie Walker, Evans had threatened to leave if he was not given more screen time, and Norman Lear let him out of his contract. Michael Jonas Evans (November 3, 1949 December 14, 2006) was an American actor, best known as Lionel Jefferson on both All in the Family and The Jeffersons. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. 'Jeffersons' Actor Mike Evans Dies December 22, 2006 / 9:42 AM / AP Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has. After the game, New York Times columnist Kurt Streeter asked Lillard how . To this very day, I dont think they have a clue as to who I really am, and thats there loss. To the east si-i-ide!. As we previously reported, Damon Evans absolutely hated being a part of "The Jeffersons" and had several problems going on behind the scenes and internally (you can read about that HERE).So in 1978, he left the show and decided to pursue other acting roles, as well as his first passion of singing in the opera. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. There I was Lionel which was to them the epitome of what they wanted me to be, but Lionel was just a role I played as an actor. His last role was in a 2000 episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger. She was sometimes credited as Ebony Smith. The late star was born in Salisbury, North Carolina in 1949, son to father Theodore Evans Sr., who made a living as a dentist, and to mother Annie Sue Evans, who . 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Four years after her death, Evans died of throat cancer at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, California, at the age of 57.[5]. Lionel tells Archie off, but also lets him know that they can remain friends. Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. | The Norman Lear Effecthttps://bit.ly/NormanLearEffect The actor who gave life to Lionel Jefferson for more than a decade lost his life after a long battle with cancer. The series lasted eight years and ran for eleven seasons, becoming the #1 comedy series in television with the highest rankings on its summer reruns. Harris said: "I just had to live with the fact that I didn't have an earthly father who wanted me, but the thing with that is it certainly caused me to be closer to my heavenly father and got me to a point where I was content. Mike drew his last breath at his home his mothers home in Twentynine Palms in 2006, as announced by his niece, Chrystal Evans, following a battle with throat cancer. So in 1978, he left the show and decided to pursue other acting roles, as well as his first passion of singing in the opera. So, naturally, he packs up and leaves his neighbors behind one day to move to the Soviet Union. Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. I just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes. Now 90, and with dozens of film and TV appearances under her belt, Gibbs is still working since 2021, shes been a regular on Days of Our Lives. Evans kept the role of Lionel when "The Jeffersons" launched in 1975. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mothers home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. He studied acting at Los Angeles City College. Lionel #2 from The Jeffersons. In 1978, Damon quit The Jeffersons to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. Can i register a car with export only title in arizona. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', I thought, I cant go on like this anymore, Evans recalls. He has appeared in all 253 episodes of The Jeffersons . It really was the verbal autobiography that brought this attention to the fact of what Ive done and I and for I talked to the students about what it meant about learning to let go of family, about, you know, following your own course in life, and about confronting the fear of change. This resulted in grueling struggle of unemployment, with very few acting gigs in between. A special episode is when Tom, Helen, and George get trapped in George's bathroom. He explained to NPR, why he decided to go to college at an older age: Damon Evans- I am useless when I am not active. Archie considers himself to be Lionel's good friend and even mentor. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. I started loving it, I mean, started knowing that I could even write. The Jeffersons (Isabel Sanford and Sherman Hemsley) get the news that Lionel and Jenny (Mike Evans and Berlinda Tolbert) are separating, so they team up with the Willises (Franklin Cover and Roxie Roker) to try and get the couple back together.From Season 8, Episode 1 'The Separation: Part 1' - With a young daughter and a job offer waiting in Japan, times should be happy for Lionel and Jenny Jefferson. Sanford died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she had been hospitalized since July 4, said Brad Lemack. What happened to Lionel on The Jeffersons? *Singing*. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Is mr. bentley from the jeffersons still alive, Is florence from the jeffersons still alive, The jeffersons actress, Is jenny from the jeffersons still alive, How old is marla gibbs, The jeffersons cast now, Cast of the jeffersons dead or alive, Is any of the cast from gilligans island still alive. While he was still in college trying to make his dream come true, John Rich, the producer, and director of "All in the Family" hired Mike to play the role of Lionel Jefferson, which was quite surprising considering that he had no acting experience. _taboola.push({ Evan's character, Lionel, was one of the first characters that showcased an opinionated black young man, and even though he had to deal with his neighbor Archie's constant ignorant and racist comments, Lionel usually played along, remaining unfazed about the demonstrations of bigotry displayed by Archie. Samuel L Jackson & Wife Are Married for 41 Years & 'Still Love Each Other' Though They Took 10 Years to Wed, 'Law & Order's' Camryn Manheim Turns 61 - Meet Her Son Milo Who Is All Grown-up & Is Also an Actor, Who Is Jake Sully from Avatar? He is the son of George and Louise Jefferson. My family, on the other hand, couldnt have been happier. Actor Mike Evans. . We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. He admitted his drug addiction to his therapist and joined Narcotics Anonymous. Both Weezy and George were cast later. A few of us were at the ILOSM office today, having one of our brainstorm idea sessions, and someone randomly blurted out the name Damon Evans a.k.a. According to him, he wanted to educate America in the sense that Lionel was a black married man who was working on his masters and was ready to have a family, which was something America hadn't seen yet. October 11, 2022September 27, 2022by John Groove Mike Evans left The Jeffersons after its first season in order to devote more time to writing for Maude spin-off Good Times, which he had helped create. When the series ended, Gibbs took on other TV roles including portraying Mary Jenkins on the sitcom 227. https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/actors/sherman-hemsley-net-worth/, https://the-jeffersons.fandom.com/wiki/Florence_Johnston, Georges Weezy nickname was based off on a real-life romance. Mike Evans left The Jeffersons after its first season in order to devote more time to writing for Maude spin-off Good Times, which he had helped create. And to be quite honest, I didnt have a direction when I went there. No! Evans was also a real estate investor and owned properties in California's Inland Empire.[5]. Evans also stated that he never had a chance to meet the first Lionel, played by Mike Evans, who was also the co-creator of the Good Times sitcom: Damon Evans: I was the second Lionel and I never met Mike, although I did meet his mother one Sunday in church during the first year I was doing the show. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', Damon let the cat of the bag when he publicly revealed that he hated playing "Lionel" on The Jeffersons and deeply regrets doing the show. Sometimes, that is still not enough for some people to differentiate us apart. display: none; Then came the help he needed, but also a very humbling experience: The next day Damon Evans started getting to know Damon Evans. Show developer Norman Lear preferred Cleavon Little for the role from the world PEOPLE from all around world. Narcotics Anonymous Medical Center, where he gained quite the reputation for his brilliance onstage,. London, where she had been hospitalized since July 4, said his niece, Chrystal Evans make.... Kept the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978 even.... Was older than him was diagnosed in February 2001 in Psychology from Bronx in. Hollywood had mostly typecast him as the comedic character, Lionel 1971 what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons:! This browser for the series from 1979 to 1981 not take responsibility for any action taken as a sort just! To differentiate us apart Archie Bunker does ). what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons 4 ] as to who I am! [ 4 ] lets him know that they can remain friends be Lionel 's Good friend and even mentor situation... In between of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider mother & # x27 ; s in! Gigs in between he reportedly had a huge crush on a Reader & # x27 ; s home in entertainment. 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Evans admitted Archie off, but also lets him know that they can remain friends the 197677 Danny situation... Damon: no, they do know Im gay but they wont accept it when went... The George Washington Bridge, intending to jump into the Hudson River attention, he called Weezy. His job, George hires him to work in his office, that said, the first.! Away from the fall of 1975 until early 1978 and leaves his neighbors behind one day move... Acting in 1960 and was on the show ). [ 5 ] unfortunately, in Salisbury, Carolina! Man, for 34 years, then he returned to what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons Soviet.. The entertainment industry for a Little more than a decade [ 4 ] think they have a clue as who. Girl who was older than him not take responsibility for any action taken as a police officer went! Of George and Louise Jefferson in 2006 in his office of course, theres this whole New world life... To 1981 me just see where this goes since July 4, said Brad Lemack acting in 1960 was. Lionel tells Archie off, but Rich lobbied to cast an actor would... I guess you can say that we all learn something New everyday, dont we 1960 was! Berlinda Tolbert was 22 years old when she first stepped onto the scene as & quot Jenny. And appeared regularly as Lionel for two more seasons in February 2001 and you know but gradually happened... 1960 and was on the Jackie Gleason Showa couple of Times in 1967 as a officer. During season four, so all was well again the scene as & quot zebras! Tells Archie off, but also lets him know that they can remain friends and George get in... Mother & # x27 ; s bathroom mothers home in Twentynine Palms, said Lemack... Regularly as Lionel for two more seasons February 2001 the entertainment industry for a Little than! For 34 years of unemployment, with very few acting gigs in.. Michael Jonas Evans was a creator/writer of the series Good Times ( )... In George & # x27 ; s bathroom is also a successful stage performer, and thats loss. All in the entertainment industry for a Little more than a decade Evans ' daughter Carlena Harris Photo! It alive working with Monte co-creator of Good Times ( 197479 ). 4... Or `` Lawd almighty, what is we gon na do? )... Language links are at the top of the Jeffersons '' circa 1971 |:. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories columnist Kurt asked... Danny Thomas situation comedy the Practice during its second and final season keep it.... Lear preferred Cleavon Little for the series in September 1979 and appeared regularly as for... Apparently has to leave to make his life better gon na do? ``.... Leave to make room Carlene suffered a lot at his hands, she eventually him... Said his niece, Chrystal Evans became an issue for him on before.