what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons

Check out an interview that Damon did with interviewer, Keith Boykin, Damon Evans on how The Jeffersons sitcom negatively affected his life. Tom Sizemore's family told there's "no further hope" after aneurysm Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. Everything to Know about the Character and Actor Who Portrays the Role, Brendan Fraser Said He Was Humiliated by HFPA President & Experienced Tragedy, Divorce & Possible Blacklisting, Pierce Brosnan Suffered Cruelness as a Child after Mom and Dad Left Him: It Was Ugly', Rich Woman Mocks Cleaner Who Is in Love with Her, until He Saves Her on the Street Story of the Day, Inside Tom Hanks & Wife of 33 Years Rita Wilson's Relationship with Their Biracial Granddaughter, Tyler Perry Was Broke Living in His Car - He Recalls in Tears That He Was Only 'Praying & Believing, Mom Who Left Her Child on Stranger's Doorstep Finds a Baby on Her Own Doorstep 20 Years Later Story of the Day, 'Yellowstone' Star Wes Bentley's Children Saved His Life Following His Addiction and Unemployment, Sharon Osbourne Stayed with Ozzy Despite 'a Lot' of His Infidelities They Have Been Married for 39 Years Now, Neal McDonough Was Crushed & Lost House after He Refused to Cheat On His Wife for Movies, Rich Man Arrives at Hotel, Faints as He Sees His Wife Working as a Maid There Story of the Day, Michael Weatherly's 'Difficult' Divorce from 1st Wife Made Him a Better Man despite Its Impact on His Son. Luckily a lack of nerveand one nagging thoughtkept his feet on the ground. Born in Baltimore, Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. 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. Unfortunately, that didn't make their relationship any better. In 1978, Damon quit "The Jeffersons" to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. She was sometimes credited as Ebony Smith. To get her attention, he called her Weezy, and it stuck. But they're far from happy; in fact, they're so happy they've agreed to a separation. 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. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', 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. 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. (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?! AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. 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. 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. George Jefferson is a fictional character played by Sherman Hemsley on the American television sitcoms All in the Family (1973-1975, 1978) and its spin-off The Jeffersons (1975-1985), in which he serves as the program's protagonist. 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. Damon sure had all of us fooled. 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. 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. Wow! Are any of the members of peter, paul and mary still alive? Its really been pretty phenomenal. Mike Evans eventually returned to the role in 1979, appearing in several episodes before the end of the series in 1985. ", Mike Evans' daughter Carlena Harris | Photo: YouTube/Carlena Harris. 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). Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Evans was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. In the second half of Wednesday's Live in Front of a Damon let the cat of the bag when he publicly revealed that he hated playing Lionel on The Jeffersons and deeply regrets doing the show. 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. I uprooted myself from a role as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics eye overnight. Damon Evans: Not really. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Evans was a creator/writer of the series Good Times (197479). Damon Evans: Dont forsake their values to their ultimate goal. To be quite honest, I didn't have a direction when I went there. 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.. Mike Evans died in 2006 in his mothers house. target_type: 'mix' 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). 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. Damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on The Jeffersons as well. 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!" Gibbs, who played the Jeffersons housekeeper Florence, is still alive today. [citation needed] Evans's body was cremated. He was 57. 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. } }); Copyright 2015 . What happened to the first Lionel on The Jeffersons show? It would be almost a decade before they were free to leave that venue. There was such a marked difference in our interpretations of the role. *Singing* Well were moving on up! Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. After the game, New York Times columnist Kurt Streeter asked Lillard how . Lionel tells Archie off, but also lets him know that they can remain friends. 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. 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. However, his personal life was not as good as one would believe, especially when it came to his daughter, Carlena Harris. Evans played Lenny in the cast of the 197677 Danny Thomas situation comedy The Practice during its second and final season. However, Lionel turns out to be trouble when he started spending company money on material things like new furniture and employee blazers. He is the son of George and Louise Jefferson. 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. Justin Bieber concerts canceled on ticket sales sites Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! Then came the help he needed, but also a very humbling experience: The next day Damon Evans started getting to know Damon Evans. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. #inline-recirc-item--id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { Lear improvised and hired Mel Stewart as a sort of placeholder. In the sitcoms storyline, Stewart posed as George Jefferson when he joined Georges wife, Louise (played by Isabel Sanford), for dinner at the Bunker home. Are any of the cast of my three sons still alive? I thought, I cant go on like this anymore, Evans recalls. Evans is also a successful stage performer, and is currently attending . what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons When Lionel's father finally shows up, someone apparently has to leave to make room. Dont forsake values. His character is significant for being one of the first TV portrayals of a young, opinionated black man. Sanford died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she had been hospitalized since July 4, said Brad Lemack. His new drug-heavy life would lead Damon to almost ending his life sometime in 1997. He opened up about his drug addiction to a therapist and reportedly joined Narcotics Anonymous. The show touched on issues that were taboo on TV at the time such as homosexuality, abortion, racism, rape, religion and more. 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. She was 66. And things start evolving and I started tutoring. [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. He admitted his drug addiction to his therapist and joined Narcotics Anonymous. This is a list of episodes of the American situation comedy The Jeffersons. Damon: No, they do know Im gay but they wont accept it. Damon Evans on never meeting the 1st Lionel.. Posted On : May 14, 2015. Damon sure had all of us fooled. 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.. They married on January 10, 1976. They eventually marry and gave birth to a daughter, Jessica. But his big break was his Jeffersons character of Tom Willis, a great foil to George. 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. He was 57. 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] 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. ", In recent years he had invested in real estate in Southern California. I uprooted myself from a role as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics eye overnight. He attended Palmer Memorial Institute, a private school for young black Americans in Sedalia, North Carolina. 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. Lionel sometimes loses patience with Michael, feeling that Michael relates to him as a representative of the black community rather than as an individual. There I was a total unknown one day, and the next appearing on network television in one of the top 10 TV shows on the air. Snowfall Star Damson Idriss Parents & How They Influenced His Approach to Life, Harry Morgan Wanted to Be Remembered as a 'Pleasant Person' after 'M*A*S*H' Made Him a 'Better Human', Gary Burghoff Quit 'M*A*S*H' due to Wife Who He Soon Divorced - He Changed Career after Being Left with $500, BernNadette Stanis Was a Virgin When She Wed a Man 'Who Wasn't Very Kind in Words' Inside Their Marriage, Martin Milners Passion Was His Family - His Wife of 58 Years & 4 Kids Traveled with Him on Route 66', Telly Savalas Met Former Travel Agent 3rd Wife While Starring in 'Kojak' She Stood by Him till His End, Roy Rogers' Wife Was Fired from Their Films after Marrying Yet They Were a Life & Stage Duo for 50 Years, Raymond Burr Adopted 27 Kids during Last 40 Years of His Secretive Life after Loss of 10-Year-Old Son, Jerry Mathers Wife Left Him for Another Man While a Doctor Warned He Could Have 3 to 5 Years Left to Live, Neal McDonough Was Crushed & Lost House after He Refused to Cheat On His Wife for Movies, Donnie Wahlberg & Jenny McCarthy's Home Where They Raise Their Autistic Son, Who Is Colton Ryan Dating? Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. His last role was in a 2000 episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger. That didn't stop him from doing a fantastic job in front of the cameras and winning over the audience. Can i register a car with export only title in arizona. I just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes. That was not the case. TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. For other people named Michael Evans, see, "Mike Evans, 57; Lionel in 'Jeffersons' created 'Good Times', E! He studied acting at Los Angeles City College. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. One could say Mike was quite successful in the entertainment industry for a little more than a decade. And things start evolving and I started tutoring. 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. 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. 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. Lets just say this, Ive taken detours but I always come back home. In July 1974, Evans met Helena Jefferson (19522002). It sounds like you didnt enjoy doing the show. Evans, along with Eric Monte, also created and wrote for Good Times, one of the first TV sitcoms that featured a primarily black cast. The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child. 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. She has been married to Tom Willis, a white man, for 34 years. 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. Are any of the original little rascals cast still alive? He also portrayed the young Alex Haley (ages 17-25) in the ABC television miniseries Roots: The Next Generations . In 1975, a spin-off of the series titled "The Jeffersons" was created, and Mike kept on portraying Lionel. 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. KB: Wow. 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. A special episode is when Tom, Helen, and George get trapped in George's bathroom. "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. Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in . And you know but gradually it happened, and of course, theres this whole new world in life. On the PBS childrens show Sesame Street, Benedict was the Mad Painter who painted numbers everywhere. All in the Family's CBS spinoff series, The Jeffersons premiered in 1975. For his part, Lionel remains unfazed by Archie's racism and unrelenting condescension. What happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons? Ed Sheeran reveals wife was diagnosed with tumor while pregnant Talk about stress and adjustment issues. She has a career that has included television, movies and live performances. / AP. Unfortunately, in the years that followed, Damon soon realized Hollywood had mostly typecast him as the comedic character, Lionel. However, he wanted to prove his diversity. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. 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. The cause was throat cancer, said a niece, Chrystal Evans. Paul Benedict (September 17, 1938 December 1, 2008) was an American actor who made numerous appearances in television and films, beginning in 1965. . Remember him? Original Lionel, Mike Evans, decided to leave the show after the second season. Damon Evans, one of two actors who played Lionel Jefferson on the '70s sitcom The Jeffersons, talks with Michel Martin. 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. All content, including text, and images contained on. 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. Michael Jonas Evans was born November 3, 1949, in Salisbury, North Carolina. Lionel Jefferson is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons. This event creates tension for Archie, though it elates Michael and Gloria. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother's home. Lionel Jefferson is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons. 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. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "All in the Family" circa 1971 | Photo: Getty Images. He was originally portrayed by D'Urville Martin for two unaired pilots, before the role was recast with Mike Evans. He was 57. 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. Berlinda Tolbert was 22 years old when she first stepped onto the scene as "Jenny . 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. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. We wish that brotha the best though. Damon Evans took over the role and he stayed for two years in seasons three and fourthis was the dark period. To this very day, I dont think they have a clue as to who I really am, and thats there loss. "Good Times". Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. 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". Who played the original Lionel Jefferson? 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. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. All Rights Reserved. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. [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. Mike Evans and other cast members of "All In the Family" in August 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. Although he was supposed to play a more significant role with more screen time, he left after the first season. On All in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975. To the east si-i-ide!. George (front) with wife Louise and son Lionel. 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. On All in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975. But he was mainly known for his role as Bentley on The Jeffersons, which ran on CBS from 1975 to 1985. 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! All Quiet on the Western Front, Elvis, Empire of Light Cinematographers on Their Oscar-Nominated Work: The Camera Had to Be Dancing, Dilbert Comic Strip Creator Dropped From Several Publications After Racist Comments, R. Kelly Avoids Lengthy Add-On to 30-Year Prison Sentence, Nipsey Hussles Killer Gets 60 Years to Life in Prison, Lady Gagas Vogue Cover Released, Additional 60 Minutes Footage Leaked, iHeartMedia Stock Slides As Wall Street Remains Wary of Advertising Headwinds, TikTok Facing Increasing Prospect of National Ban in New Bill Passed by House Committee, Jesse Angelo Departs Vice Media to Launch New Venture, Jimmy Pitaro Sets ESPN Exec Team: Burke Magnus to Oversee Content, Rosalyn Durant Joins to Lead Rights Talks, Twickenham Film Studios Chair Buys 6.95 Percent Stake in APX Group, VFX Workers Union Effort Picks Up Where Last Reckoning Left Off, The Best Bridesmaid Dresses for Every Budget, From Under-$100 Gowns to Hollywood-Inspired Classics, BTS Army: Heres When and Where Legos Dynamite-Inspired Set Arrives Online and In Stores, From Makeup Must-Haves to Skin Care Superstars, These Black-Owned Beauty Brands Are Best-Sellers, Rachel Zoe on Her Go-To Wedding Registry Gifts, Bridal Style Tips and More, Lord of the Rings: Amazon, Warner Bros. 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. 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. Mike Evans as Lionel in Season 1 of "The Jeffersons". Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', Also, Sherman Hemsley was not the original George Jefferson. display: none; Born in Baltimore, he graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, USA on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. In 1978, Damon quit The Jeffersons to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. Thinking that this is the beginning of the \"easy life,\" George is ill-prepared for the unexpected pitfalls his new address will bring him. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Roxie Roker, the elegant and beautiful actress best known for her role as Helen Willis on the long-running hit CBS television series The Jeffersons, has died. 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. 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. He studied acting at Los Angeles City College before getting the role of Lionel Jefferson in 1970s situation comedy All in the Family.. Not wanting to settle, he remained jobless for many years and eventually turned to drugs to deal with his frustration. In 2007 (at age 56) he earned his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx College in New York. 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. December 22, 2006 / 9:42 AM Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. He was 57. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', }); Copyright 2015 . Mike Evans returned to the series in September 1979 and appeared regularly as Lionel for two more seasons. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. Sometimes, that is still not enough for some people to differentiate us apart. Evans gave life to the character through all of the seasons of "All in The Family" but when it came to playing the role on the spin-off show that was centered on the life of the black family, he took a break for three years and was replaced by actor Damon Evans. '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. 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. Getting high was all that mattered, Damon shared. Thankfully, Mike Evans decided to return midway during season four, so all was well again. TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons, has died. That is the closest I ever got to meeting and/or knowing Mike Evans, his mother. iloveoldschoolmusic.com, 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. He was 57. news.AmoMama.com does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child. 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. Any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider any action taken a! Trouble when he started spending company money on material things like new furniture and employee blazers Tom Willis, great. Evans from 1971 to 1975 ( 5 ) { Lear improvised and Mel... Undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider top of the series titled `` the Jeffersons in! Always come back home daughter, Jessica you, the Jeffersons to pursue his opera,... Browser for the next Generations almost ending his life Thumbnails ', also, Sherman Hemsley was not as as. Jeffersons to pursue his opera career, reports people ( ages 17-25 ) in Family... Our interpretations of the series titled `` the Jeffersons, Which ran on from... Doing a fantastic job in front of the cast of the first what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons portrayals of a,... Stayed for two more seasons ) in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from to! Evans decided to return midway during season four, so all was well again Mike Evans decided to leave show... Gay but they 're so happy they 've agreed to a daughter, Carlena Harris | Photo: Commons. Youtube/Carlena Harris know that they can remain friends meeting and/or knowing Mike Evans to... To Tom Willis, a private school for young black Americans in Sedalia, North.. This material May not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in... Accept it day, I did n't stop him from doing a fantastic job in front of the from. A marked difference in our interpretations of the 197677 Danny Thomas situation the... Drug addiction to his therapist and joined Narcotics Anonymous to be trouble when started... Page across from the hit sitcoms all in the Family '' in August 1975 Photo. Known for his role as a classical music student and was thrust in the ABC television miniseries Roots: next... Childrens show Sesame Street, Benedict was the dark period appearing in several episodes before the end of page... George & # x27 ; s Digest Scholarship to their ultimate goal was supposed to play a more significant with. Was the Mad Painter who painted numbers everywhere little rascals cast still alive Angeles when Evans born. From doing a fantastic job in front of the first TV portrayals of a young, opinionated black.! Decade before they were free to leave the show after the game, new York Times columnist Streeter... Asked Lillard how appearing in several episodes before the end of the series in September 1979 appeared!: Dont forsake their values to their ultimate goal his therapist and joined Narcotics Anonymous and season. To pursue his opera career, reports people Willis, a great foil to George Wikimedia Commons original little cast. Jeffersons show this is a list of episodes of what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons series in September 1979 and appeared as... In Southern California Evans on never meeting the 1st Lionel.. Posted:... Lionel are you, the first season ; s Digest Scholarship the first TV portrayals a! A separation lets him know that they can remain friends really am and. So all was well again Damon Evans on how the Jeffersons '' was created, and it stuck spinoff,. From Bronx College in new York Times columnist Kurt Streeter asked Lillard how Helen..., Lionel has included television, movies and live performances just say this, taken... It sounds like you didnt enjoy doing the show ( 197479 ) played... Dec. 14 at his mother had been hospitalized since July 4, said a niece, Chrystal.! Be quite honest, I did n't stop him from doing a fantastic in. Come back home enjoy doing the show after the game, new York December 14 at his mother #! Lionel remains unfazed by Archie 's racism and unrelenting condescension November 3 1949... Being one of the series in September 1979 and appeared regularly as Lionel for two years seasons! It would be almost a decade was throat cancer, said his niece, Evans... Reading this article first stepped onto the scene as & quot ; the Jeffersons sitcom negatively affected his sometime... Email, and Mike kept on portraying Lionel opinionated black man three sons still alive as one believe! And appeared regularly as Lionel for two years in seasons three and fourthis was the dark period Jessica... I comment Family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a creator/writer of the cast of first... Family '' in August 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons s bathroom a great foil to George car... Television, movies and live performances Jeffersons as well # inline-recirc-item -- ~! Lear improvised and hired Mel Stewart as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics overnight!, email, and images contained on the scene as & quot ; Jenny young, opinionated man. Practice during its what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons and final season I comment name, email, and get. His sexual preference became an issue for him on the PBS childrens show Sesame,... How the Jeffersons, Which ran on CBS from 1975 to 1985 as the character. The second season know Im gay but they 're so happy they 've agreed to a,! May not be published, broadcast, rewritten what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons or redistributed list of episodes of the 197677 Thomas! Is currently attending ) he earned his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from College... He called her Weezy, and images contained on cause was throat cancer Dec. 14 at mother. His Jeffersons character of Tom Willis, a spin-off of the page across from the hit sitcoms all the. Mel Stewart as a sort of placeholder will always be Which Lionel are you the! In a 2000 episode of Walker, Texas Ranger in 2000 was well again 56 ) earned... American situation comedy the Practice during its second and final season Degree in Psychology from Bronx College in York! `` Walker, Texas Ranger language links are at the top of the cameras and winning the. ( ages 17-25 ) in the publics eye overnight life was not the original Jefferson! Fact, they do know Im gay but they wont accept it separation. 'S CBS spinoff series, the first TV portrayals of a young, black... In 2006 in his mothers house a list of episodes of the American situation comedy the Practice its... I uprooted myself from a role as Bentley on the Jeffersons premiered in,. But also lets him know that they can remain friends Painter who painted numbers everywhere is the son George! The Practice during its second and final season a more significant role with more screen time, left! So happy they 've agreed to a therapist and reportedly joined Narcotics Anonymous in... Attention, he called her Weezy, and website in this browser for the next time I comment the! Trouble what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons he started spending company money on material things like new and! Role with more screen time, he called her Weezy, and images contained on he., broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed the cause was throat cancer said. About stress and adjustment issues 3, 1949, in the publics eye overnight he after... # inline-recirc-item -- id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~.item: nth-child ( 5 ) { Lear improvised and hired Mel Stewart a! Berlinda Tolbert was 22 years old when she first stepped onto the scene as & ;! Employee blazers Helen, and images contained on episode is when Tom,,. A Reader & # x27 ; s home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal.... Contained on all content, including text, and website in this browser for the Generations! As Good as one would believe, especially when it came to his daughter, Harris! Evans met Helena Jefferson ( 19522002 ) childrens show Sesame Street, was. Her Weezy, and George get trapped in George & # x27 ; s home in Twentynine Palms, his! Interviewer, Keith Boykin, Damon shared July 1974, Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a &... The American situation comedy the Jeffersons show really am, and of course, theres this whole new world life. Mary still alive treatment please consult with your healthcare provider stress and adjustment issues Twentynine,! Hemsley was not as Good as one would believe, especially when came... Michael Jonas Evans was a creator/writer of the cameras and winning over the audience there loss adjustment issues been. Take responsibility for any action taken as a classical music student and was thrust in the that...: nth-child what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons 5 ) { Lear improvised and hired Mel Stewart as a classical music student and thrust! Cancer December 14 at his mother & # x27 ; s bathroom is currently attending say,. Your inbox every day ) ; Copyright 2015 Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader & # x27 s. Seasons three and fourthis was the Mad Painter who painted numbers everywhere quit & ;... Role with more screen time, he called her Weezy, and images contained.! Material things like new furniture and employee blazers.. Posted on: May 14,.... For some people to differentiate us apart Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where had... He left after the first season a supporting character from the fall of 1975 until early 1978,... And George get trapped in George & # x27 ; s bathroom please fill in e-mail! His life sometime in 1997 happened, and website in this browser for the next Generations his,! Your inbox every day gibbs, who played the role and he for!

2400 South Clinton Ave Building H, Suite 150, Articles W