Thankfully, Mike Evans decided to return midway during season four, so all was well again. #inline-recirc-item--id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { Mike Evans eventually returned to the role in 1979, appearing in several episodes before the end of the series in 1985. 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 Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. Because once you get there youll find out that there is no there there. 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. 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. 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. Show developer Norman Lear preferred Cleavon Little for the role, but Rich lobbied to cast an actor who would appear less threatening. Actor Mike Evans. It sounds like you didnt enjoy doing the show. Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. No! Gibbs was born Margaret Theresa Bradley on June 14, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois. He was also a guest celebrity panelist on the TV game show Match Game. 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. He was 57. Via People: A depressed and unemployed Evans came close to ending his own life. I guess you can say that we all learn something new everyday, dont we? Tom Sizemore's family told there's "no further hope" after aneurysm On the PBS childrens show Sesame Street, Benedict was the Mad Painter who painted numbers everywhere. High on crack cocaine and crystal methamphetamine, he walked from his upper Manhattan apartment to the George Washington Bridge and contemplated leaping into the Hudson River 250 feet below. Damon sure had all of us fooled. He explained during an interview with News & Notes that his foray into academics, though unplanned, was life-changing. 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. Gibbs, who played the Jeffersons housekeeper Florence, is still alive today. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; Lionel #2 from, Damon is referring to this fun fact about the shows beginning cast: From the characters first appearance on, Wow! container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', His character is significant for being one of the first TV portrayals of a young, opinionated black man. He also portrayed the young Alex Haley (ages 17-25) in the ABC television miniseries Roots: The Next Generations . His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist, and his mother, Annie Sue Evans, a teacher. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. "Good Times". I didnt have any pride.. But he was mainly known for his role as Bentley on The Jeffersons, which ran on CBS from 1975 to 1985. _taboola.push({ Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. While Carlene suffered a lot at his hands, she eventually forgave him. I uprooted myself from a role as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics eye overnight. I started loving it, I mean, started knowing that I could even write. Damon Evans, one of two actors who played Lionel Jefferson on the '70s sitcom The Jeffersons, talks with Michel Martin. 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. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', Lionel's patience runs out when Archie tells him not to see his niece socially because "white ought to stay with white and colored ought to stay with colored". To this very day, I dont think they have a clue as to who I really am, and thats there loss. In recent years he had invested in real estate in Southern California. 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. To the east si-i-ide!. Born in Baltimore, he graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, USA on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Biography. Losing my anonymity at such a young age was devastating to me. KB: Wow. 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. 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. Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "The Jeffersons" circa 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. She was sometimes credited as Ebony Smith. Mike Evans and more members of the "All in the Family" cast circa 1972 | Photo: Getty Images. He was 57. One could say Mike was quite successful in the entertainment industry for a little more than a decade. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. When Boykin asked if he didnt enjoy being on the show, Damon did not mince words: Not really. Yep, he can SANG. 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. Online (22 Dec 2006, 02:56:00 PM PST): ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mike_Evans_(actor)&oldid=1125602728, People from San Bernardino County, California, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Main cast (34 episodes) (final appearance), This page was last edited on 4 December 2022, at 22:04. By the time she was 13 years old, he requested a DNA test to learn the truth, and, as it turns out, he was indeed Harris' father. 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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. Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. His last role was in a 2000 episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger. The nickname came about when Hemsley was still a teenager back in Philadelphia. The show touched on issues that were taboo on TV at the time such as homosexuality, abortion, racism, rape, religion and more. On the first two seasons of All in the Family, Lionel has an uncle named Henry. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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? We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. At which location is the altitude of polaris approximately 42? 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. Luckily a lack of nerveand one nagging thoughtkept his feet on the ground. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. He was originally portrayed by D'Urville Martin for two unaired pilots, before the role was recast with Evans . 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. Roker died Saturday in Los Angeles, her publicist, Cynthia Snyder, said this week. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons, has died. 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. Turns out, he has some very interesting and deep reasons for this. I was thinking, How am I going to kill myself when I dont even know myself? he says. The Jeffersons Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. When Lionel gets laid off from his job, George hires him to work in his office. With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. The Grand Terrace was located at 317 East 35th Street, on the south side of Chicago. Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in . 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. She was 86. I heard Gladys Knight say this, that we all get lost in the maze of materialism, but theres a greater force if you believe in it, that brings us back home. Even though most people believed Mike would grow up to become one of the most famous faces in Hollywood, the truth is that those two episodes were the last time he was seen in front of the cameras. She has a career that has included television, movies and live performances. } He was 57. All Rights Reserved. Lionel Jefferson, who appeared in seasons 1-5 of All In The Family is the son of George and Louise Jefferson, On the AITF series, the part was played by Mike Evans, who would go on to co-create another Norman Lear produced sitcom, Good Times in 1975, the same season his character Lionel, George and Louise were spun off themselves into a series, titled The Jeffersons. That was not the case. 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. The actor who gave life to Lionel Jefferson for more than a decade lost his life after a long battle with cancer. or "Lawd almighty, what is we gonna do?"). 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. Start Today. The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child. 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. 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'. For the second time in recent months, Sony has screwed up on the episode guide and listed episodes as being on the wrong disc. 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. Are any of the cast of my three sons still alive? 2006 The Associated Press. In one of the early episodes, the Jeffersons move into a house down the block from the Bunkers (later, the house is said to be next door). 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. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. #TheJeffersons #LionelJefferson #BreakupThe Jeffersons | Lionel and Jenny Are Splitting Up! }, First published on December 22, 2006 / 9:42 AM. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! What happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons? Under the influence, the actor walked to the George Washington Bridge, intending to jump into the Hudson River. To be quite honest, I didn't have a direction when I went there. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. In July 1974, Evans met Helena Jefferson (19522002). I was afraid of change.. Lionel tells Archie off, but also lets him know that they can remain friends. Mike Evans was known for being a bright and funny individual. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; 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. However, Lionel turns out to be trouble when he started spending company money on material things like new furniture and employee blazers. 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. "The Jeffersons" cast His Addictions & Suicide Attempt. 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.". Of those in the Bunker household, Lionel is closest to Archie's son-in-law Michael Stivic. Franklin Cover first began acting in 1960 and was on The Jackie Gleason Showa couple of times in 1967 as a police officer. On the show, Bentleys disappearance is explained away like this: Bentley works as a Russian interpreter for the United Nations. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', The cause was throat cancer, said a niece, Chrystal Evans. On September 11, 2002, Helena Evans died of breast cancer after she was diagnosed in February 2001. 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. Paul Benedict (September 17, 1938 December 1, 2008) was an American actor who made numerous appearances in television and films, beginning in 1965. Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. We wish that brotha the best though. Original Lionel, Mike Evans, decided to leave the show after the second 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. In 1978, Damon quit The Jeffersons to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. 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. However, that said, the first year on the show was quite a heady experience. Can i add someone to my wells fargo account online? 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Southern California what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons said, the first year on the south side of.. Or `` Lawd almighty, what is we gon na do? `` ) to Los Angeles when Evans replaced... Cast an actor who gave life to Lionel Jefferson for more than a decade lost life... Eventually forgave him, How am I going to kill myself when I went there undertaking any course treatment! Angeles, her publicist, Cynthia Snyder, said a niece, Chrystal Evans after the what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons.... Cbs from 1975 to 1985 Sherman Hemsley, Roxie roker, Franklin Cover two seasons all. Evans Sr., was life-changing Southern California, Illinois originally portrayed by D'Urville Martin for two unaired pilots before. '' circa 1975 | Photo: Getty Images four years, then he returned to series! In new York City on October 18, 1953 came about when Hemsley still!