Unfortunately, that didn't make their relationship any better. 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. 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]. I uprooted myself from a role as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics eye overnight. 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. 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. 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. Yep, he can SANG. Work would take him to London, where he gained quite the reputation for his brilliance onstage. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. The Grand Terrace was located at 317 East 35th Street, on the south side of Chicago. Damon Evans, one of two actors who played Lionel Jefferson on the '70s sitcom The Jeffersons, talks with Michel Martin. 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. A special episode is when Tom, Helen, and George get trapped in George's bathroom. Ed Sheeran reveals wife was diagnosed with tumor while pregnant Damon: No, they do know Im gay but they wont accept it. *Singing* Well were moving on up! }, First published on December 22, 2006 / 9:42 AM. December 22, 2006 / 9:42 AM As Lionel's parents and uncle Henry appear more frequently, Lionel's role becomes less significant. 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. I was thinking, How am I going to kill myself when I dont even know myself? he says. Who played the original Lionel Jefferson? Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. 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. According to him, he wanted to educate America in the sense that Lionel was a black married man who was working on his masters and was ready to have a family, which was something America hadn't seen yet. 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. 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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. 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. 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). 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. news.AmoMama.com does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Evans was a creator/writer of the series Good Times (197479). Trending News The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Posted On : May 14, 2015. 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. On All in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975. 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. A total of 253 episodes aired on CBS over 11 seasons, from January 18, 1975, through July 2, 1985. In 1978, Damon quit The Jeffersons to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. No! 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. Evans was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. That didn't stop him from doing a fantastic job in front of the cameras and winning over the audience. Sometimes I wouldnt show up at all, he recalled. 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. 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. We wish that brotha the best though. My family, on the other hand, couldnt have been happier. Maestro cue the outro music! What happened to the first Lionel on The Jeffersons show? 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!" Upon recovering she returned for a few episodes, noticeably thinner and frailer. To the east si-i-ide!. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. Are any of the original little rascals cast still alive? Away from the world of entertainment, Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx Community College in 2007. Evans is also a successful stage performer, and is currently attending . 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. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', On the first two seasons of All in the Family, Lionel has an uncle named Henry. George (front) with wife Louise and son Lionel. Damon also took a mail-room job that kept him going until he was able to secure roles in several small-time theater productions. Damon Evans and Berlinda Tolbert ( who played Lionels wife Jenny) on TV's The Jeffersons. | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. 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. To be quite honest, I didn't have a direction when I went there. } 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. I guess you can say that we all learn something new everyday, dont we? Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "All in the Family" circa 1971 | Photo: Getty Images. Show developer Norman Lear preferred Cleavon Little for the role, but Rich lobbied to cast an actor who would appear less threatening. Michael Jonas Evans was born November 3, 1949, in Salisbury, North Carolina. Start Today. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother's home. Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. I started loving it, I mean, started knowing that I could even write. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; And most of all, you dont have yourself when you get there. Damon Evans: Dont forsake their values to their ultimate goal. Isabel Sanford net worth and salary: Isabel Sanford was an American actress and comedian who had a net worth of $3 million at the time of her death. Thinking that this is the beginning of the \"easy life,\" George is ill-prepared for the unexpected pitfalls his new address will bring him. 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. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mothers home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. Actor Mike Evans. He was 57. 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. 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. This resulted in grueling struggle of unemployment, with very few acting gigs in between. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. On All in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975. Sometimes, that is still not enough for some people to differentiate us apart. 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.. Actor Mike Evans, who played Lionel Jefferson in the television comedy series All in the Family and The Jeffersons, has died. He was survived by his two daughters (Carlena and Tammie), his mother (Annie Sue), a brother, a cousin, and a niece. And to be quite honest, I didnt have a direction when I went there. We wish that brotha the best though. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. 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. He also portrayed the young Alex Haley (ages 17-25) in the ABC television miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.. What happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons? Michael Jonas Evans was born Nov. 3, 1949, in Salisbury, N.C. His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist while his mother, Annie Sue Evans, was a school teacher. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Its great that Damon sought the help he desperately needed, but in the beginning the sudden reality of him having to go from Lionel the superstar, back to the everyday civilian, working in the mail room, had to a tough adjustment. Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. 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. On the show, Bentleys disappearance is explained away like this: Bentley works as a Russian interpreter for the United Nations. The cause was throat cancer, said a niece, Chrystal Evans. Lets just say this, Ive taken detours but I always come back home. Paul Benedict (September 17, 1938 December 1, 2008) was an American actor who made numerous appearances in television and films, beginning in 1965. 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. 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. } His character is significant for being one of the first TV portrayals of a young, opinionated black man. Talk about stress and adjustment issues., In a 2001 PEOPLE interview, the actor further revealed that his dissatisfaction caused him to act out. 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] He was 57. Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. 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. George, opposed to miscegenation, calls Helen and Tom "zebras" or "chocolate and . Damon Evans: Not really. Evans died of throat cancer. The show touched on issues that were taboo on TV at the time such as homosexuality, abortion, racism, rape, religion and more. Lionel is introduced in the first episode (and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does). All in the Family's CBS spinoff series, The Jeffersons premiered in 1975. Evans kept the role of Lionel when "The Jeffersons" launched in 1975. Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. "The Jeffersons" cast His Addictions & Suicide Attempt. I was afraid of change.. 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. The next day, Damon began taking steps to make his life better. Born in Baltimore, he graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, USA on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. She was 86. On September 11, 2002, Helena Evans died of breast cancer after she was diagnosed in February 2001. 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. It was later revealed that he was actually "Henry Jefferson," "George's" brother. 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. 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. _taboola.push({ Under the influence, the actor walked to the George Washington Bridge, intending to jump into the Hudson River. 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. But his big break was his Jeffersons character of Tom Willis, a great foil to George. It achieved the record of having topped the Nielsen ratings for five consecutive years. Ive taken detours but I always come back home part of Penske Media Corporation York on... Is significant for being one of the first episode ( and, in the publics eye overnight appear... On October 18, 1953 cancer, said his niece, Chrystal Evans Jenny ) TV... In grueling struggle of unemployment, with very few acting gigs in between diagnosis or treatment while Damon... 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