Evans was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. It would be almost a decade before they were free to leave that venue. 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. 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? Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. Damon Evans on never meeting the 1st Lionel.. 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. Mike Evans eventually returned to the role in 1979, appearing in several episodes before the end of the series in 1985. ", In recent years he had invested in real estate in Southern California. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; 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.". Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. I was afraid of change.. To get her attention, he called her Weezy, and it stuck. She was sometimes credited as Ebony Smith. 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. With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. 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, along with Eric Monte, also created and wrote for Good Times, one of the first TV sitcoms that featured a primarily black cast. I just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes. _taboola.push({ This is a list of episodes of the American situation comedy The Jeffersons. 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. 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. Franklin Cover, Paul Benedict, Sherman Hemsley, Marla Gibbs, Ned Wertimer, Berlinda Tolbert, Roxie Roker, Isabel Sanford, and Mike Evans from "The Jeffersons" in 1975 in Los Angeles, California | Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. 2006 The Associated Press. TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons, has died. A total of 253 episodes aired on CBS over 11 seasons, from January 18, 1975, through July 2, 1985. 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. 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. He was survived by his two daughters (Carlena and Tammie), his mother (Annie Sue), a brother, a cousin, and a niece. Work would take him to London, where he gained quite the reputation for his brilliance onstage. 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. 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. 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. His family later moved to Los Angeles, where he graduated from Los Angeles High School. What happened to the first Lionel on The Jeffersons show? He was 57. He attended Palmer Memorial Institute, a private school for young black Americans in Sedalia, North Carolina. 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. Posted On : May 14, 2015. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. He was also a guest celebrity panelist on the TV game show Match Game . }); Copyright 2015 . 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. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. 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. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. That didn't stop him from doing a fantastic job in front of the cameras and winning over the audience. He admitted his drug addiction to his therapist and joined Narcotics Anonymous. Maestro cue the outro music! } AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. On the first two seasons of All in the Family, Lionel has an uncle named Henry. 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. All in the Family's CBS spinoff series, The Jeffersons premiered in 1975. Lionel Gets the Business: Directed by Bob Lally. [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. Kiss announce farewell tour set to conclude in NYC 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. 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. Lionel Jefferson is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons. ! After the original Lionel Jefferson actor, Mike Evans (no relation to Damon), left the show, Damon replaced him in 1975. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Check out an interview that Damon did with blogger, Keith Boykin: Interviewer: How did the experience on [The Jeffersons] affect your life? Archie considers himself to be Lionel's good friend and even mentor. Ebonie Smith, also known as Ebony Smith (born Negra Candalaria-Smith; September 16, 1978) is a Puerto Rican-born American former child actress known for her role as Jessica Jefferson in the sitcom The Jeffersons in four episodes in Seasons 10 and 11. 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. The Jeffersons was easily one of the top shows at the time, and anyone might have imagined Damon would be overjoyed for the opportunity. Getting high was all that matteredI didnt have any pride, Evans admitted. "The Jeffersons" cast His Addictions & Suicide Attempt. Unfortunately, that didn't make their relationship any better. Lionel is introduced in the first episode (and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does). Jane Fonda announces her cancer is in remission Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. His character is significant for being one of the first TV portrayals of a young, opinionated black man. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. Damon Evans and Berlinda Tolbert ( who played Lionels wife Jenny) on TV's The Jeffersons. | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. I heard Gladys Knight say this, that we all get lost in the maze of materialism, but theres a greater force if you believe in it, that brings us back home. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "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. He reportedly had a huge crush on a girl who was older than him. [citation needed] Evans's body was cremated. Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. In July 1974, Evans met Helena Jefferson (19522002). Evans appeared infrequently after that, and made his final appearance as Lionel in the two-part episode "Sayonara" in 1985. Are any of the original little rascals cast still alive? The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child. According to her, she was raised by her mother and grandmother, and that, shockingly, Mike absolutely refused to believe that he was her biological father. Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. 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. 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?. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Original Lionel, Mike Evans, decided to leave the show after the second season. / AP. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. And most of all, you dont have yourself when you get there. *Singing*. I had a really bad attitude.. 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. We came to know him as the character, "Lionel," from "The Jeffersons" and it was he and his friend, Eric Monte's, creative genius that gave us their sitcom creation, "Good Times.". 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. | The Norman Lear Effecthttps://bit.ly/NormanLearEffect He explained to NPR, why he decided to go to college at an older age: Damon Evans- I am useless when I am not active. 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. He was 57. news.AmoMama.com does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. 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. This event creates tension for Archie, though it elates Michael and Gloria. 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. Can i add someone to my wells fargo account online? My family, on the other hand, couldnt have been happier. #TheJeffersons #LionelJefferson #BreakupThe Jeffersons | Lionel and Jenny Are Splitting Up! I started loving it, I mean, started knowing that I could even write. However, his personal life was not as good as one would believe, especially when it came to his daughter, Carlena Harris. Start Today. Are any of the members of peter, paul and mary still alive? He was originally portrayed by D'Urville Martin for two unaired pilots, before the role was recast with Mike Evans. The actor who gave life to Lionel Jefferson for more than a decade lost his life after a long battle with cancer. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child. 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. All content, including text, and images contained on. 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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. 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. 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. 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 studied acting at Los Angeles City College. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. Evans was a creator/writer of the series Good Times (197479). Years after his passing, Harris claimed that God asked her to go to Los Angeles and stay at her paternal grandmother's home, where slept in the same room that her father died in. Mike Evans was known for being a bright and funny individual. It achieved the record of having topped the Nielsen ratings for five consecutive years. Early life [ edit] Evans was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. In recent years he had invested in real estate in Southern California. Evans kept the role of Lionel when "The Jeffersons" launched in 1975. Talk about stress and adjustment issues., In a 2001 PEOPLE interview, the actor further revealed that his dissatisfaction caused him to act out. , paul and mary still alive he was also a guest celebrity panelist on the Jeffersons premiered in 1975 Lionel... Of reading this article than him ( { this is a list of episodes of the original little rascals still! In July 1974, Evans met Helena Jefferson ( 19522002 ) people from all around the world [! 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