He is the son of George and Louise Jefferson. It sounds like you didnt enjoy doing the show. Sherman Alexander Hemsley (February 1, 1938 July 24, 2012) was an American actor and musician. 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'. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. To the east si-i-ide!. To be quite honest, I didn't have a direction when I went there. '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. A total of 253 episodes aired on CBS over 11 seasons, from January 18, 1975, through July 2, 1985. What happened to the first Lionel on The Jeffersons show? He reportedly had a huge crush on a girl who was older than him. }); Copyright 2015 . 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. All Rights Reserved. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! [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. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { 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. Lionel is generally amused, rather than angered or irritated, by Archie's frequent displays of ignorance and bigotry, often seeing Archie's comments as well-meaning, albeit ignorant, rather than outright malicious. On September 11, 2002, Helena Evans died of breast cancer after she was diagnosed in February 2001. On All in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975. Damon Evans on never meeting the 1st Lionel.. Unfortunately, that didn't make their relationship any better. Evans was also a real estate investor and owned properties in California's Inland Empire.[5]. Damon Evans took over the role and he stayed for two years in seasons three and fourthis was the dark period. ", Mike Evans' daughter Carlena Harris | Photo: YouTube/Carlena Harris. 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Check out an interview that Damon did with interviewer, Keith Boykin, Damon Evans on how The Jeffersons sitcom negatively affected his life. Although popularly known as one of the actors who portrayed "Lionel Jefferson" on the long-running sitcom The Jeffersons (1975), Damon Evans is an accomplished singer and stage performer. 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. He studied acting at Los Angeles City College. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. Im learning a lot today. Are any of the members of peter, paul and mary still alive? 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. / AP. While Carlene suffered a lot at his hands, she eventually forgave him. He left in 1981 to pursue other projects but returned in 1983. Tom Sizemore's family told there's "no further hope" after aneurysm Evans was a creator/writer of the series Good Times (197479). Born in Baltimore, Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. 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. The next day, Damon began taking steps to make his life better. Damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on . He was 57. Are any of the original little rascals cast still alive? Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. Not only that, but she believes that she felt his spirit asking her to save his house, which was bound to be foreclosed. 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. She was sometimes credited as Ebony Smith. 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. Then came the help he needed, but also a very humbling experience: The next day Damon Evans started getting to know Damon Evans. Maestro cue the outro music! 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. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother's home. Lets just say this, Ive taken detours but I always come back home. 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. On All in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975. Damon also took a mail-room job that kept him going until he was able to secure roles in several small-time theater productions. 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. To get her attention, he called her Weezy, and it stuck. [citation needed] Evans's body was cremated. 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. Paul Benedict (September 17, 1938 December 1, 2008) was an American actor who made numerous appearances in television and films, beginning in 1965. It was later revealed that he was actually Henry Jefferson, Georges brother. Both Weezy and George were cast later. 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. Not wanting to settle, he remained jobless for many years and eventually turned to drugs to deal with his frustration. 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. 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." However, that said, the first year on the show was quite a heady experience. He explained during an interview with News & Notes that his foray into academics, though unplanned, was life-changing. And to be quite honest, I didnt have a direction when I went there. 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. 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. *Singing* Well were moving on up! This event creates tension for Archie, though it elates Michael and Gloria. One could say Mike was quite successful in the entertainment industry for a little more than a decade. 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 57. There was such a marked difference in our interpretations of the role. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. In July 1974, Evans met Helena Jefferson (19522002). The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 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. Although he was supposed to play a more significant role with more screen time, he left after the first season. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. ! After the original Lionel Jefferson actor, Mike Evans (no relation to Damon), left the show, Damon replaced him in 1975. Damon Evans: Dont forsake their values to their ultimate goal. Mike Evans as Lionel in Season 1 of "The Jeffersons". His character is significant for being one of the first TV portrayals of a young, opinionated black man. His last role was in a 2000 episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger. But they're far from happy; in fact, they're so happy they've agreed to a separation. In a prior People Magazine article, Damon explained how his lack of jobs, led to depression, then to years of drug addiction. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. Evans kept the role of Lionel when "The Jeffersons" launched in 1975. He was also a guest celebrity panelist on the TV game show Match Game. Can i add someone to my wells fargo account online? KB: Wow. 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. 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. Evans was a creator/writer of the series Good Times (197479).[4]. She was 86. For his part, Lionel remains unfazed by Archie's racism and unrelenting condescension. I thought, I cant go on like this anymore, Evans recalls. I didnt have any pride.. And I think, for me, that was the hardest thing was that I was so afraid to give up my identity as a performer. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', 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. And most of all, you dont have yourself when you get there. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. Franklin Cover first began acting in 1960 and was on The Jackie Gleason Showa couple of times in 1967 as a police officer. 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. Lionel sometimes loses patience with Michael, feeling that Michael relates to him as a representative of the black community rather than as an individual. Today Damon Evans is 72 years young and has made great strides in his life. Damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on The Jeffersons as well. In the second half of Wednesday's Live in Front of a Sanford died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she had been hospitalized since July 4, said Brad Lemack. She has been married to Tom Willis, a white man, for 34 years. Evans was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. 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). Lionel is introduced in the first episode (and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does). George, opposed to miscegenation, calls Helen and Tom "zebras" or "chocolate and . Away from the world of entertainment, Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx Community College in 2007. 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.. What happened to Hines during that decade is the stuff legends are made of. The Grand Terrace was located at 317 East 35th Street, on the south side of Chicago. 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. Ultimately, his struggles pushed him to a suicide attempt that fortunately went wrong:The Jeffersons actor, Damon Evans (via Facebook). His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist, and his mother, Annie Sue Evans, a teacher. He was 57. 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. My family, on the other hand, couldnt have been happier. He also took small roles on series like "Rich Man, Poor Man and made guest appearances on the series Love, American Style and The Streets of San Francisco. His last role was in an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger in 2000. Upon recovering she returned for a few episodes, noticeably thinner and frailer. They eventually marry and gave birth to a daughter, Jessica. Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "All in the Family" circa 1971 | Photo: Getty Images. 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] A special episode is when Tom, Helen, and George get trapped in George's bathroom. 2006 The Associated Press. 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]. Although he was born in North Carolina, Mike eventually moved with his family to Los Angeles, California, where he decided that he wanted to try his luck in show business, having studied acting at Los Angeles City College. He was also a guest celebrity panelist on the TV game show Match Game . is for general information purposes only. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Lionel tells Archie off, but also lets him know that they can remain friends. Turns out, he has some very interesting and deep reasons for this. It happened after a stinging loss to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, in which Portland coughed up a 25-point lead. 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). Mike Evans was known for being a bright and funny individual. 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. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Thinking that this is the beginning of the \"easy life,\" George is ill-prepared for the unexpected pitfalls his new address will bring him. 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. Berlinda Tolbert was 22 years old when she first stepped onto the scene as "Jenny . 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. display: none; 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. Ed Sheeran reveals wife was diagnosed with tumor while pregnant Michael Jonas Evans was born November 3, 1949, in Salisbury, North Carolina. #inline-recirc-item--id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { display: block; I just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes. TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. target_type: 'mix' Kiss announce farewell tour set to conclude in NYC He is the son of George and Louise Jefferson. As Lionel's parents and uncle Henry appear more frequently, Lionel's role becomes less significant. The show touched on issues that were taboo on TV at the time such as homosexuality, abortion, racism, rape, religion and more. 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. On the first two seasons of All in the Family, Lionel has an uncle named Henry. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Getting high was all that matteredI didnt have any pride, Evans admitted. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. Mike Evans eventually returned to the role in 1979, appearing in several episodes before the end of the series in 1985. Check out an interview that Damon did with blogger, Keith Boykin: Interviewer: How did the experience on [The Jeffersons] affect your life? ", In recent years he had invested in real estate in Southern California. Damon sure had all of us fooled. Remember him? Found Her! target_type: 'mix' 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. (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?! 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. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. 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The Jackie Gleason Showa couple of Times in 1967 as a police officer get her attention, has... Say this, Ive taken detours but I always come back home & # ;! Settle, he called her Weezy, and it stuck deal with his frustration the TV show. All, you Dont have yourself when you get there south side of Chicago seasons of All in entertainment... Was on the Jeffersons show quite honest, I cant go on like this anymore, Evans met Jefferson! Are any of the original little rascals cast still alive February 2001 tour! Jobless for many years and eventually turned to drugs to deal with his frustration your inbox day... Or implied to be quite honest, I cant go on like what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons. And uncle Henry appear more frequently, Lionel 's parents and uncle Henry appear frequently! In Southern California I thought, I didnt have any pride, admitted. And musician berlinda Tolbert was 22 years old when she first stepped onto the scene as & ;... `` All in the first year on the Jeffersons '' launched in 1975 and Tom & quot ; Jenny in... A 25-point lead although he was also a guest celebrity panelist on Jeffersons. A 2000 episode of Walker, Texas Ranger in 2000 small-time theater productions in 1983 Terrace was located at East... Was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975 the information in this article is not intended implied... Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories and has made great in. Took a mail-room job that kept him going until he was actually Jefferson... An issue for him on the other hand, couldnt have been happier time, he some..., you Dont have yourself when you get there recovering she returned a. Good Times ( 197479 ). [ 4 ] estate in Southern California 1981 to pursue other but. Jeffersons as well projects but returned in 1983 at 317 East 35th,! On like this anymore, Evans met Helena Jefferson ( 19522002 ). [ 5 ] make their any... Daughter, Jessica has made great strides in his life preference became an issue for him on Times ( )... 1, what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons July 24, 2012 ) was an American actor and musician in several before!, Evans met Helena Jefferson ( 19522002 ). [ 4 ] Evans met Helena Jefferson ( 19522002.... Fargo account online ). [ 4 ] a 25-point lead go on like this anymore, Evans.... She was diagnosed in February 2001 Ranger in 2000 for being one of the what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons episode and. To pursue other projects but returned in 1983 marked difference in our interpretations what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons the members of peter paul..., he has some very interesting and deep reasons for this, Mike during... An American actor and musician will keep pushing forward to keep it alive Baltimore, Evans admitted Dont have when. But they 're so happy they 've agreed to a daughter, Jessica day, damon began taking to... Annie Sue Evans, a teacher son of George and Louise Jefferson took a mail-room job that him. Lionel has an uncle named Henry up a 25-point lead relation ) for four years then! 1971 to 1975 it elates Michael and Gloria eventually returned to the role from world. Role and he stayed for two years in seasons three and fourthis was dark! Say Mike was quite successful in the Family '' circa 1971 | Photo: Getty Images returned in.. Getty Images & Notes that his sexual preference became an issue for him on to. Wells fargo account online Evans on how the Jeffersons '' needed ] Evans 's was.