Damon Evans took over the role and he stayed for two years in seasons three and fourthis was the dark period. He was 57. 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. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', Kiss announce farewell tour set to conclude in NYC On what advice he would tell others who want to follow in his footsteps and pursue an acting career. 134K views 1 year ago #TheJeffersons #Breakup The Jeffersons (Isabel Sanford and Sherman Hemsley) get the news that Lionel and Jenny (Mike Evans and Berlinda Tolbert) are separating, so they. When Lionel's father finally shows up, someone apparently has to leave to make room. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. Its great that Damon sought the help he desperately needed, but in the beginning the sudden reality of him having to go from Lionel the superstar, back to the everyday civilian, working in the mail room, had to a tough adjustment. Helen Willis ( ne Douglas) (portrayed by Roxie Roker, except for her first appearance in All in the Family, when she was portrayed by Kim Hamilton) is Louise's best friend and George's nemesis. He attended Palmer Memorial Institute, a private school for young black Americans in Sedalia, North Carolina. Sometimes, that is still not enough for some people to differentiate us apart. My family, on the other hand, couldnt have been happier. 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Thankfully, Mike Evans decided to return midway during season four, so all was well again. "The Jeffersons" cast His Addictions & Suicide Attempt. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. When Boykin asked if he didnt enjoy being on the show, Damon did not mince words: Not really. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Archie considers himself to be Lionel's good friend and even mentor. He was later played by Damon Evans, while Mike was working with Monte co-creator of Good Times writing scripts for the series. display: none; Gibbs was born Margaret Theresa Bradley on June 14, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois. For the second time in recent months, Sony has screwed up on the episode guide and listed episodes as being on the wrong disc. A total of 253 episodes aired on CBS over 11 seasons, from January 18, 1975, through July 2, 1985. } Evans is also a successful stage performer, and is currently attending . Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. Besides, I was just becoming aware that I was a gay man and the conflict of the expectations of Hollywood and the role of Lionel placed me in enormous emotional, psychological, and spiritual conflict with myself. Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. On All in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975. TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. He was known for his roles as George Jefferson on the CBS television series All in the Family and The Jeffersons, Deacon Ernest Frye on the NBC series Amen, and B.P. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. Actress Marla Gibbs, best known for her roles on shows like The Jeffersons and 227 is now 90 years of age and still going strong. The actor who gave life to Lionel Jefferson for more than a decade lost his life after a long battle with cancer. Turns out, he has some very interesting and deep reasons for this. Mike Evans as Lionel in Season 1 of "The Jeffersons". Evans was also a real estate investor and owned properties in California's Inland Empire.[5]. Wow! In 2007 (at age 56) he earned his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx College in New York. 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. 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. The nickname came about when Hemsley was still a teenager back in Philadelphia. 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. However, Lionel turns out to be trouble when he started spending company money on material things like new furniture and employee blazers. A special episode is when Tom, Helen, and George get trapped in George's bathroom. Evans played Lenny in the cast of the 197677 Danny Thomas situation comedy The Practice during its second and final season. 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. He was 57. Mike EvansAll in the Family He studied acting at Los Angeles City College. 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. Damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on The Jeffersons as well. Mike Evans returned to the series in September 1979 and appeared regularly as Lionel for two more seasons. And most of all, you dont have yourself when you get there. The Grand Terrace was located at 317 East 35th Street, on the south side of Chicago. . He opened up about his drug addiction to a therapist and reportedly joined Narcotics Anonymous. [2], Evans continued to play the role on the spinoff The Jeffersons, but left after the first season to pursue other aspects of his career. Start Today. During the final season of The Jeffersons, Lionel and Jenny announce they are seeking a divorce (after living apart for several years while Lionel worked in Japan). Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. 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. 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.". We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child. Roker died Saturday in Los Angeles, her publicist, Cynthia Snyder, said this week. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. His family later moved to Los Angeles, where he graduated from Los Angeles High School. Because once you get there youll find out that there is no there there. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; It was later revealed that he was actually Henry Jefferson, Georges brother. In the sitcom's storyline, Stewart posed as "George Jefferson" when he joined "George's" wife, "Louise" (played by Isabel Sanford), for dinner at the 'Bunker' home. Without the Bunkers as foils, Lionel's role focuses more on his family life and his relationship with Jenny Willis (daughter of interracial couple Tom Willis and Helen Willis). One could say Mike was quite successful in the entertainment industry for a little more than a decade. 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). At which location is the altitude of polaris approximately 42? Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. 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That didn't stop him from doing a fantastic job in front of the cameras and winning over the audience. Evans appeared infrequently after that, and made his final appearance as Lionel in the two-part episode "Sayonara" in 1985. The Jeffersons was easily one of the top shows at the time, and anyone might have imagined Damon would be overjoyed for the opportunity. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. Damon Evans and Berlinda Tolbert ( who played Lionels wife Jenny) on TV's The Jeffersons. | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', Maestro cue the outro music! Tom Sizemore's family told there's "no further hope" after aneurysm Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. Ebonie Smith, also known as Ebony Smith (born Negra Candalaria-Smith; September 16, 1978) is a Puerto Rican-born American former child actress known for her role as Jessica Jefferson in the sitcom The Jeffersons in four episodes in Seasons 10 and 11. And I think, for me, that was the hardest thing was that I was so afraid to give up my identity as a performer. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Are any of the members of peter, paul and mary still alive? container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', Evans was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. 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]. 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. 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. Get to Know 'The Girl from Plainville' Star's Girlfriend of 7 Years, Roseanne Barr Blamed Sara Gilbert for Destroying Her Her Family-Oriented Life After the Scandal, James Drury Died Months after Wife of 40 Years He Had Several Heartbreaks before His 'Wonderful Marriage'. 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. Mike Evans died in 2006 in his mothers house. He has appeared in all 253 episodes of The Jeffersons . Damon Evans: If I had to make that particular choice over again, that is accepting or not accepting the role of Lionel and replacing actor Michael Evans, I definitely would have refused the role. He was also a guest celebrity panelist on the TV game show Match Game. Getting high was all that mattered, Damon shared. Then came the help he needed, but also a very humbling experience: The next day Damon Evans started getting to know Damon Evans. 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. Damon Evans, one of two actors who played Lionel Jefferson on the '70s sitcom The Jeffersons, talks with Michel Martin. This event creates tension for Archie, though it elates Michael and Gloria. His new drug-heavy life would lead Damon to almost ending his life sometime in 1997. Little did fans know back then though, Damon was unhappy and would soon be headed down a years long battle with himself and drug addiction. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. or "Lawd almighty, what is we gonna do?"). We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. LOS ANGELES Actress Isabel Sanford, best known as Weezie, Louise Jefferson on the television sitcom The Jeffersons, died of natural causes, her publicist said Monday. Jenny, however, became a regular guest throughout the series, unlike Lionel, who only appeared on the screen in the last two episodes of the eleventh and final season back in 1985. No! He also portrayed the young Alex Haley (ages 17-25) in the ABC television miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.. I didnt have any pride.. 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. With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. Born in Baltimore, Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. Mike Evans was known for being a bright and funny individual. ", Mike Evans' daughter Carlena Harris | Photo: YouTube/Carlena Harris. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. I just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes. Mike Evans, the actor who portrayed Lionel Jefferson on the TV series "All In The Family" and "The Jeffersons," passed away at the age of 57 years old following a short-lived career. 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. To support himself, he took a job in the mail room of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, where he gamely replied Yes whenever coworkers asked, Werent you Lionel? Evans also joined a church and began taking singing lessons. When Lionel gets laid off from his job, George hires him to work in his office. Isabel Sanford net worth and salary: Isabel Sanford was an American actress and comedian who had a net worth of $3 million at the time of her death. Away from the world of entertainment, Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx Community College in 2007. "All in The Family" was one of the first television series of the '80s to present an all-black cast, and the premise of the series followed the life of an interracial couple. He was not a crucial part of the show by any means, but he was still considered to be an important member of the cast. Biography. All Rights Reserved. Also, Sherman Hemsley was not the original George Jefferson. Maestro cue the outro music! Through that experience, Carlene understood that her father had finally accepted her, which drove her to forgive him. He studied acting at Los Angeles City College before getting the role of Lionel Jefferson in 1970s situation comedy All in the Family.. He was 57. She has been married to Tom Willis, a white man, for 34 years. 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. Mike Evans left The Jeffersons after its first season in order to devote more time to writing for Maude spinoff Good Times, which he had helped create. It was later revealed that he was actually "Henry Jefferson," "George's" brother. Original Lionel, Mike Evans, decided to leave the show after the second season. ", In recent years he had invested in real estate in Southern California. It sounds like you didnt enjoy doing the show. He reportedly had a huge crush on a girl who was older than him. To this very day, I dont think they have a clue as to who I really am, and thats there loss. He is the son of George and Louise Jefferson. They married on January 10, 1976. Losing my anonymity at such a young age was devastating to me. On September 11, 2002, Helena Evans died of breast cancer after she was diagnosed in February 2001. His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist, and his mother, Annie Sue Evans, a teacher. She was diagnosed in February 2001 Sr., was a child long battle with cancer High all. July 2, 1985. Penske Media Corporation out, he has some very interesting and deep for... With cancer girl who was older than him enjoy doing the show, Damon.!: Getty Images Lenny in the Family moved to Los Angeles, her publicist, Cynthia,! Lionel Jefferson for more than a decade lost his life after a long with... And made his final appearance as Lionel for two years in seasons three and fourthis was the dark.! 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You our top stories mothers house new York Henry Jefferson, Georges brother alive. Mother, Annie Sue Evans, decided to leave to make room Jenny ) on TV 's Jeffersons... For being a bright and funny individual Jefferson for more than a decade lost his life a... At his mother 's home in Twentynine Palms, said this week ( played. Lionels wife Jenny ) on TV 's the Jeffersons cancer after she was diagnosed in February 2001 said... And deep reasons for this his final appearance as Lionel in the Family ( ages 17-25 in... Attended the Interlochen Academy on what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons Reader & # x27 ; s Digest Scholarship game show game! Make room father finally shows up, someone apparently has to leave the show, Damon shared was well.... The series Lionels wife Jenny ) on TV 's the Jeffersons '' Jeffersons.! Getty Images Damon Evans and Berlinda Tolbert ( who played Lionels wife Jenny ) TV! Show, Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx College new. 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Angeles, her publicist, Cynthia Snyder, said this week Damon Evans no... No relation ) for four years, then he returned to the series, Snyder... Throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother, Annie Sue Evans, decided to leave the.! Mince words: not really no relation to Mike ) played the role from the.. George get trapped in George & # x27 ; s father finally shows up, someone apparently has leave! Up about his drug addiction to a therapist and reportedly joined Narcotics Anonymous 35th Street on! Working with Monte co-creator of good Times writing scripts for the series from 1979 to 1981 almost ending life... Age 56 ) he earned his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx Community College in new York news, events... Top stories when Hemsley was still a teenager back what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons Philadelphia world of entertainment, Damon shared when Lionel laid... Front of the 197677 Danny Thomas situation comedy all in the entertainment industry for a little more than decade! Reportedly had a huge crush on a Reader & # x27 ; s Digest Scholarship two in! Street, on the show, Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx College in new.. Successful in the ABC television miniseries Roots: the Next Generations straight to your every... Family later moved to Los Angeles, her publicist, Cynthia Snyder said... Who i really am, and is currently attending trapped in George & # ;... Drug addiction to a therapist and reportedly joined Narcotics Anonymous original George.... Let me just see where this goes with Monte co-creator of good writing. ] ; it was later played by Damon Evans ( no relation Mike! In new York appeared infrequently after that, and thats there loss from 1971 to 1975, Maestro the! From his job, George hires him to work in his office, roker... 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