That is the closest I ever got to meeting and/or knowing Mike Evans, his mother. On the show, Bentleys disappearance is explained away like this: Bentley works as a Russian interpreter for the United Nations. Posted On : May 14, 2015. Lionel sometimes loses patience with Michael, feeling that Michael relates to him as a representative of the black community rather than as an individual. Its really been pretty phenomenal. They eventually marry and gave birth to a daughter, Jessica. It's really been pretty phenomenal., Although Damon has been out of the spotlight for a long time, the actor/opera singer is remembered for his works in productions like Operas Porgy And Bess, Broadways Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, and Jesus Christ Superstar, and as a young Alex Haley in the ABC TV miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.. To get her attention, he called her Weezy, and it stuck. Instead of apologizing for not taking care of her for years, never being there for her when she needed him the most while growing up, or even trying to make amends, the actor kept his distance. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. While Carlene suffered a lot at his hands, she eventually forgave him. He was later played by Damon Evans, while Mike was working with Monte co-creator of Good Times writing scripts for the series. / AP. Trending News }); Copyright 2015 . Gibbs, who played the Jeffersons housekeeper Florence, is still alive today. "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. Id be late a lot. And you know but gradually it happened, and of course, theres this whole new world in life. Actor Mike Evans. Maestro cue the outro music! [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. Evans died of throat cancer. Ed Sheeran reveals wife was diagnosed with tumor while pregnant We wish that brotha the best though. Today Damon Evans is 72 years young and has made great strides in his life. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. 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. Lionel Jefferson is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons. or "Lawd almighty, what is we gonna do?"). I thought, I cant go on like this anymore, Evans recalls. His family later moved to Los Angeles, where he graduated from Los Angeles High School. #inline-recirc-item--id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { Michael Jonas Evans was born November 3, 1949, in Salisbury, North Carolina. Via People: A depressed and unemployed Evans came close to ending his own life. It happened after a stinging loss to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, in which Portland coughed up a 25-point lead. what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons His character is significant for being one of the first TV portrayals of a young, opinionated black man. Are any of the members of peter, paul and mary still alive? Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. Berlinda Tolbert was 22 years old when she first stepped onto the scene as "Jenny . Because once you get there youll find out that there is no there there. Getting high was all that matteredI didnt have any pride, Evans admitted. As Lionel's parents and uncle Henry appear more frequently, Lionel's role becomes less significant. All content, including text, and images contained on. 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. 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. 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). Getting high was all that mattered, Damon shared. It would be almost a decade before they were free to leave that venue. Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. 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. 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. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; Lionel is introduced in the first episode (and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does). Evans, along with Eric Monte, also created and wrote for Good Times, one of the first TV sitcoms that featured a primarily black cast. Then came the help he needed, but also a very humbling experience: The next day Damon Evans started getting to know Damon Evans. She has been married to Tom Willis, a white man, for 34 years. He was 57. But while we were getting to know Mike Evans, the actor, his daughter, Carlena Harris, was apparently getting to know him as her dad, whom she says . 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). 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.. The question asked of me will always be Which Lionel are you, the first or the second? In retrospect, I think it was actually an impossible task to undertake because most people dont seem to remember that Michael Evans was the first Jefferson to appear on All in the Family. [1], A college student majoring in drama but with no acting experience, Evans caught his big break when All in the Family producer and director John Rich hired him to play Lionel Jefferson, the son of the Bunkers' new black neighbors. 2006 The Associated Press. 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. He studied acting at Los Angeles City College before getting the role of Lionel Jefferson in the 1970s situation comedy "All in the Family.". 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). Turns out, he has some very interesting and deep reasons for this. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', In 1979, Mike came back for one more season, but eventually left again, forcing the creators to write Lionel and his wife Jenny (played by actress Berlinda Tolbert) out of the script, claiming that they faced marital problems. 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. When Boykin asked if he didnt enjoy being on the show, Damon did not mince words: Not really. He opened up about his drug addiction to a therapist and reportedly joined Narcotics Anonymous. Eight years before landing the Jeffersons gig, Damon had graduated from Michigans Interlochen Arts Academy and had been pursuing his passion as an opera singer in Broadway musicals. This sets none to well with the Jeffersons or the Willises, who are determined to get at the root of the matter or in George's case, meddle to the point where they have to get back together.Available on Prime Video: https://amzn.to/3oYSG9XSubscribe to The Norman Lear Effect channel: https://bit.ly/NormanLearEffectFollow us on social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNormanLearEffectAbout The Jeffersons: His cleaning business booming, scrappy George Jefferson decides it's time to move on up to the deluxe apartments on New York's posh east side. "Good Times". target_type: 'mix' I started loving it, I mean, started knowing that I could even write. He is the son of George and Louise Jefferson. The Jeffersons was easily one of the top shows at the time, and anyone might have imagined Damon would be overjoyed for the opportunity. I uprooted myself from a role as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics eye overnight. To this very day, I dont think they have a clue as to who I really am, and thats there loss. It achieved the record of having topped the Nielsen ratings for five consecutive years. . 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. Mike Evans and other cast members of "All In the Family" in August 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. 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. Paul Benedict (September 17, 1938 December 1, 2008) was an American actor who made numerous appearances in television and films, beginning in 1965. In recent years he had invested in real estate in Southern California. 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.". TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons, has died. Unfortunately, when Damons work permit in the UK expired, and he returned to the United States, the actor discovered he had been typecast as a comedic character. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. "The Jeffersons" cast His Addictions & Suicide Attempt. 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. [citation needed] Evans's body was cremated. George, opposed to miscegenation, calls Helen and Tom "zebras" or "chocolate and . Damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on . We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Franklin Cover first began acting in 1960 and was on The Jackie Gleason Showa couple of times in 1967 as a police officer. Zara Cully, who played Mother Jefferson, had been absent from the first 17 episodes of Season Three due to a serious case of pneumonia caused by a collapsed lung. 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!" The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. During a guest appearance on "The Charay Vaughn Show," Harris opened up about the cruel way he used to treat her when she was only a child, revealing that he was never involved in her life. Mike Evans and other cast members of "The Jeffersons" circa 1974 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. And things start evolving and I started tutoring. 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. 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? Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. 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. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. Dont forsake values. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. 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. George (front) with wife Louise and son Lionel. 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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. Thinking that this is the beginning of the \"easy life,\" George is ill-prepared for the unexpected pitfalls his new address will bring him. Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist while his mother, Annie Sue Evans, was a school teacher. 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. Did you? I started loving it, I mean, started knowing that I could even write. My family, on the other hand, couldnt have been happier. 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