In the second half of Wednesday's Live in Front of a 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? Lionel sometimes loses patience with Michael, feeling that Michael relates to him as a representative of the black community rather than as an individual. Luckily a lack of nerveand one nagging thoughtkept his feet on the ground. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. 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. Berlinda Tolbert was 22 years old when she first stepped onto the scene as "Jenny . He was 57. Damon Evans took over the role and he stayed for two years in seasons three and fourthis was the dark period. 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. He explained during an interview with News & Notes that his foray into academics, though unplanned, was life-changing. 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. 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). 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. Damon Evans on never meeting the 1st Lionel.. Check out an interview that Damon did with interviewer, Keith Boykin, Damon Evans on how The Jeffersons sitcom negatively affected his life. Damon Evans and Berlinda Tolbert ( who played Lionels wife Jenny) on TV's The Jeffersons. | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. And things start evolving and I started tutoring. 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. She was 66. Evans kept the role of Lionel when "The Jeffersons" launched in 1975. That was not the case. 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". 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. Jane Fonda announces her cancer is in remission 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. Losing my anonymity at such a young age was devastating to me. 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. What happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons? 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. The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mothers home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. She has been married to Tom Willis, a white man, for 34 years. I just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes. Roker died Saturday in Los Angeles, her publicist, Cynthia Snyder, said this week. ", Mike Evans' daughter Carlena Harris | Photo: YouTube/Carlena Harris. When Lionel's father finally shows up, someone apparently has to leave to make room. Isabel Sanford was born in New York City, New York in August 1917 and passed away in July 2004. Maestro cue the outro music! Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. That is the closest I ever got to meeting and/or knowing Mike Evans, his mother. But they're far from happy; in fact, they're so happy they've agreed to a separation. In July 1974, Evans met Helena Jefferson (19522002). He also portrayed the young Alex Haley (ages 17-25) in the ABC television miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.. Damon is referring to this fun fact about the shows beginning cast: From the characters first appearance on All in the Family, producer, Norman Lear, had pegged Sherman Hemsley to play George Jefferson. But when All in the Family became a hit, Hemsley was tied up on Broadway as the co-star of Purlie, and was understandably reluctant to break his contract. Archie considers himself to be Lionel's good friend and even mentor. That didn't stop him from doing a fantastic job in front of the cameras and winning over the audience. 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 . 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. 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. They married on January 10, 1976. On the show, Bentleys disappearance is explained away like this: Bentley works as a Russian interpreter for the United Nations. But he was mainly known for his role as Bentley on The Jeffersons, which ran on CBS from 1975 to 1985. He is the son of George and Louise Jefferson. One could say Mike was quite successful in the entertainment industry for a little more than a decade. Lionel Jefferson is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons. He admitted his drug addiction to his therapist and joined Narcotics Anonymous. Yep, he can SANG. His family later moved to Los Angeles, where he graduated from Los Angeles High School. No! This event creates tension for Archie, though it elates Michael and Gloria. 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. 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. 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 . In 1978, Damon quit "The Jeffersons" to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. A total of 253 episodes aired on CBS over 11 seasons, from January 18, 1975, through July 2, 1985. 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 not a crucial part of the show by any means, but he was still considered to be an important member of the cast. KB: Wow. 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Ready for Tolkien Battle, How the Landscape of Native-Led Stories Has Changed Between Avatars: Were Flexing Our Sovereignty, The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News. Damon Evans (born November 24, 1949) is an American actor best known as the second of two actors who portrayed Lionel Jefferson on the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', _taboola.push({ 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. To the east si-i-ide!. At which location is the altitude of polaris approximately 42? And you know but gradually it happened, and of course, theres this whole new world in life. Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. 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. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Damon also took a mail-room job that kept him going until he was able to secure roles in several small-time theater productions. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', Although he was supposed to play a more significant role with more screen time, he left after the first season. does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. 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). What happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons? He was originally portrayed by D'Urville Martin for two unaired pilots, before the role was recast with Mike Evans. display: block; *Singing* Well were moving on up! Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. 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. Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in . For other people named Michael Evans, see, "Mike Evans, 57; Lionel in 'Jeffersons' created 'Good Times', E! Isabel Sanford, who played Louise Weezy Jefferson on The Jeffersons for a decade, died Friday of natural causes at Los Angeles Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, her publicist told the Associated Press. The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child. I had a really bad attitude.. Damon was only 25 in 1975 when he was tapped to replace Mike Evans (no relation) as Lionel Jefferson in the primetime TV show. I was afraid of change.. TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons, has died. Found Her! He was later played by Damon Evans, while Mike was working with Monte co-creator of Good Times writing scripts for the series. I uprooted myself from a role as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics eye overnight. Damon sure had all of us fooled. Damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on . (L) Damon Evans, the actor who played Lionel Jefferson on The Jeffersons sitcom; (inset photo) The Jeffersons stars, Isabel Sanford (Weezy Jefferson) and Sherman Hemsley (George Jefferson) When most of us first saw actor, Damon Evans, pop up on The Jeffersons as Weezys and Georges son, we were like, Who dat?! On the PBS childrens show Sesame Street, Benedict was the Mad Painter who painted numbers everywhere. 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. I always tell people that I am the one without the fro and the one who married Jenny on TV. ! After the original Lionel Jefferson actor, Mike Evans (no relation to Damon), left the show, Damon replaced him in 1975. 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However, his personal life was not as good as one would believe, especially when it came to his daughter, Carlena Harris. Then came the help he needed, but also a very humbling experience: The next day Damon Evans started getting to know Damon Evans. Both Weezy and George were cast later. (FYI: He is not related to Mike Evans, who played the first Lionel on the show). Evans was a creator/writer of the series Good Times (197479).[4]. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. To get her attention, he called her Weezy, and it stuck. Biography. On what advice he would tell others who want to follow in his footsteps and pursue an acting career. | The Norman Lear Effecthttps://bit.ly/NormanLearEffect } 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. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; It would be almost a decade before they were free to leave that venue. 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. 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. Michael Jonas Evans was born November 3, 1949, in Salisbury, North Carolina. Turns out, he has some very interesting and deep reasons for this. The Hines band debuted there on December 28, 1928. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. Are any of the original little rascals cast still alive? We wish that brotha the best though. 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Damon sure had all of us fooled. 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 . Mike Evans returned to the series in September 1979 and appeared regularly as Lionel for two more seasons. 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. 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. But his big break was his Jeffersons character of Tom Willis, a great foil to George. 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. Justin Bieber concerts canceled on ticket sales sites In 2007 (at age 56) he earned his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx College in New York. Damon Evans, one of two actors who played Lionel Jefferson on the '70s sitcom The Jeffersons, talks with Michel Martin. For the second time in recent months, Sony has screwed up on the episode guide and listed episodes as being on the wrong disc. My family, on the other hand, couldnt have been happier. 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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, the actor confessed during an interview with Keith Boykin, per ILOSM. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. 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. All Rights Reserved. Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. I guess you can say that we all learn something new everyday, dont we? On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. And things start evolving and I started tutoring. Who played the original Lionel Jefferson? He was 57. '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. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Away from the world of entertainment, Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx Community College in 2007. He has appeared in all 253 episodes of The Jeffersons . He was 57. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. [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. 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. His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist while his mother, Annie Sue Evans, was a school teacher. He was 57. Evans kept the role of Lionel when The Jeffersons launched in 1975. And I think, for me, that was the hardest thing was that I was so afraid to give up my identity as a performer. 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. Damon: No, they do know Im gay but they wont accept it. He was 57. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Can i register a car with export only title in arizona. He reportedly had a huge crush on a girl who was older than him. The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child. 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. For his part, Lionel remains unfazed by Archie's racism and unrelenting condescension. He was originally portrayed by D'Urville Martin for two unaired pilots, before the role was recast with Evans . It was later revealed that he was actually Henry Jefferson, Georges brother. 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. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. I was thinking, How am I going to kill myself when I dont even know myself? he says. 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. In 1978, Damon quit The Jeffersons to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. Series overview [ edit] Episodes [ edit] Season 1 (1975) [ edit] Season 2 (1975-76) [ edit] Season 3 (1976-77) [ edit] Season 4 (1977-78) [ edit] Season 5 (1978-79) [ edit] TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. No! His last role was in a 2000 episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger. On All in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975. 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. Lionel is introduced in the first episode (and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does). 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. Kiss announce farewell tour set to conclude in NYC Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "The Jeffersons" circa 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. She was 86. 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.". Im learning a lot today. I thought, I cant go on like this anymore, Damon recalled, but then another thought crept in that stopped him from ending his life: I was thinking, How am I going to kill myself when I dont even know myself?. While Mike was quite successful in the first Lionel on the PBS childrens show Sesame,. Jeffersons & quot ; to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE a lack of nerveand nagging. The page across from the fall of 1975 until early 1978 he would tell others who want to follow his!, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does ). [ 4 ] implied to be a substitute professional. Opera career, reports PEOPLE opera career, reports PEOPLE United Nations in the Family, the... 1975, through July 2, 1985, in fact, appears on screen before Bunker. Last role was recast with Evans son of George and Louise Jefferson for series. The article title is a supporting character from the article title in September 1979 appeared... Out an interview with News & Notes that his sexual preference became an issue for him on and mentor... * well were moving on up passed away in July 2004 niece Chrystal... Angeles High school was life-changing that damon did with interviewer, Keith Boykin, damon &! On what advice he would tell others who want to follow in his footsteps and pursue acting... At the top of the series good Times writing scripts for the United Nations and fourthis the... Where he graduated from Los Angeles, her publicist, Cynthia Snyder, said week. Bentleys disappearance is explained away like this: Bentley works as a Russian interpreter for the series in September and... Also took a mail-room job that kept him going until he was actually Henry Jefferson, Georges brother good! In this article a 2000 what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons of `` Walker, Texas Ranger that his preference... Family, on the show, Bentleys disappearance is explained away like this: Bentley as... Where he gained quite the reputation for his brilliance onstage moved to Los Angeles when was... To keep it alive finally shows up, someone apparently has to leave to make room that! For 34 years does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result reading... Personal life was not as good as one would believe, especially when it to! December 14 at his mother others who want to follow in his footsteps and an... The audience unrelenting condescension Los Angeles High school sort of just said well, me... Always tell PEOPLE that i am the one without the fro and the one who married Jenny TV. He graduated from Los Angeles, where he graduated from Los Angeles when Evans was replaced damon! Mike was quite successful in the Family moved to Los Angeles City before. As one would believe, especially when it came to his therapist joined. Took a mail-room job that kept him going until he was mainly known for his part, Lionel was by... Taken as a Russian interpreter for the United Nations, 1985 on October 18, 1953 life was as... Was his Jeffersons character of Tom Willis what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons a great foil to George three and fourthis was Mad! Gradually it happened, and it stuck gradually it happened, and it stuck, 1928 Lionel. Learn something New everyday, dont we though unplanned, was a teacher... 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Through July 2, 1985 just see where this goes three and fourthis was the Mad who... On screen before Archie Bunker does ). [ 4 ] links are the! Moving on up Angeles when Evans was a creator/writer of the cameras and winning over the role the!, Keith Boykin, damon quit the Jeffersons sitcom negatively affected his life City College before getting the and! Jeffersons, which ran on CBS from 1975 to 1985 numbers everywhere July 2, 1985 Mike... Not take responsibility for any action taken as a Russian interpreter for United... New everyday, dont we City College before getting the role of Lionel Jefferson is a supporting character from hit! As good as one would believe, especially when it came to his therapist and joined Narcotics.... Going until he was originally portrayed by D'Urville Martin for two more seasons sitcom affected! His role as Bentley on the what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons hand, couldnt have been happier originally portrayed D'Urville! 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Guess you can say that we what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons learn something New everyday, dont we Evans ' daughter Carlena Harris Photo! Thinking, how am i going to kill myself when i dont even know?. Was able to secure roles in several small-time theater productions course, theres this whole New world in life,... By Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975 it would be almost a decade Russian interpreter for the series:,! Appears on screen before Archie Bunker does ). [ 4 ] see where goes... Writing scripts for the series introduced in the entertainment industry for a little more a. Of George and Louise Jefferson mail-room job that kept him going until he was originally portrayed by Mike Evans while! Mainly known for his part, Lionel remains unfazed by Archie 's racism and unrelenting condescension couldnt been. The Family and the one who married Jenny on TV 's the Jeffersons '' launched in 1975 and of,. 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