what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersonswhat happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons

But they're far from happy; in fact, they're so happy they've agreed to a separation. Thankfully, Mike Evans decided to return midway during season four, so all was well again. 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. I uprooted myself from a role as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics eye overnight. 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? On the show, Bentleys disappearance is explained away like this: Bentley works as a Russian interpreter for the United Nations. His character is significant for being one of the first TV portrayals of a young, opinionated black man. 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. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "The Jeffersons" circa 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. Mike Evans returned to the series in September 1979 and appeared regularly as Lionel for two more seasons. Remember him? 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. Also, Sherman Hemsley was not the original George Jefferson. 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. Actor Mike Evans. 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. As Lionel's parents and uncle Henry appear more frequently, Lionel's role becomes less significant. At which location is the altitude of polaris approximately 42? 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. She was sometimes credited as Ebony Smith. That was not the case. That is the closest I ever got to meeting and/or knowing Mike Evans, his mother. 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. 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. Ed Sheeran reveals wife was diagnosed with tumor while pregnant Lionel Jefferson is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! 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. His character is significant for being one of the first TV portrayals of a young, opinionated black man. 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.". Damon sure had all of us fooled. Away from the world of entertainment, Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx Community College in 2007. Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. Lionel sometimes loses patience with Michael, feeling that Michael relates to him as a representative of the black community rather than as an individual. December 22, 2006 / 9:42 AM Losing my anonymity at such a young age was devastating to me. 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 and other cast members of "All In the Family" in August 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. Luckily a lack of nerveand one nagging thoughtkept his feet on the ground. 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. Evans was a creator/writer of the series Good Times (197479).[4]. Damon also took a mail-room job that kept him going until he was able to secure roles in several small-time theater productions. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. Evans kept the role of Lionel when "The Jeffersons" launched in 1975. It was later revealed that he was actually Henry Jefferson, Georges brother. But while we were getting to know Mike Evans, the actor, his daughter, Carlena Harris, was apparently getting to know him as her dad, whom she says . 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 the first Lionel on Jeffersons? He was 57. Damon Evans took over the role and he stayed for two years in seasons three and fourthis was the dark period. 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.. 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. Mike Evans as Lionel in Season 1 of "The Jeffersons". 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. He is the son of George and Louise Jefferson. 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. [2], Evans continued to play the role on the spinoff The Jeffersons, but left after the first season to pursue other aspects of his career. Damon Evans: Dont forsake their values to their ultimate goal. 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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. The Jeffersons Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. Roker died Saturday in Los Angeles, her publicist, Cynthia Snyder, said this week. Show developer Norman Lear preferred Cleavon Little for the role, but Rich lobbied to cast an actor who would appear less threatening. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. 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. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', 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. I just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes. "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. or "Lawd almighty, what is we gonna do?"). He admitted his drug addiction to his therapist and joined Narcotics Anonymous. 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. | The Norman Lear Effecthttps://bit.ly/NormanLearEffect Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. The Jeffersons was easily one of the top shows at the time, and anyone might have imagined Damon would be overjoyed for the opportunity. Lionel is introduced in the first episode (and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does). 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'. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its really been pretty phenomenal. Isabel Sanford was born in New York City, New York in August 1917 and passed away in July 2004. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Yep, he can SANG. He is the son of George and Louise Jefferson. Ultimately, his struggles pushed him to a suicide attempt that fortunately went wrong:The Jeffersons actor, Damon Evans (via Facebook). 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. In 1978, Damon quit "The Jeffersons" to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. Posted On : May 14, 2015. Turns out, he has some very interesting and deep reasons for this. I guess you can say that we all learn something new everyday, dont we? We wish that brotha the best though. Damon Evans, one of two actors who played Lionel Jefferson on the '70s sitcom The Jeffersons, talks with Michel Martin. Evans is also a successful stage performer, and is currently attending . In one of the early episodes, the Jeffersons move into a house down the block from the Bunkers (later, the house is said to be next door). Lionel Gets the Business: Directed by Bob Lally. He attended Palmer Memorial Institute, a private school for young black Americans in Sedalia, North Carolina. Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. While Carlene suffered a lot at his hands, she eventually forgave him. 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 was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. It was later revealed that he was actually "Henry Jefferson," "George's" brother. Franklin Cover first began acting in 1960 and was on The Jackie Gleason Showa couple of times in 1967 as a police officer. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. } To the east si-i-ide!. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. }); Copyright 2015 . Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Through that experience, Carlene understood that her father had finally accepted her, which drove her to forgive him. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Justin Bieber concerts canceled on ticket sales sites 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. Check out an interview that Damon did with interviewer, Keith Boykin, Damon Evans on how The Jeffersons sitcom negatively affected his life. This is a list of episodes of the American situation comedy The Jeffersons. Id be late a lot. (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?! Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. Getting high was all that matteredI didnt have any pride, Evans admitted. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. 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. Evans appeared infrequently after that, and made his final appearance as Lionel in the two-part episode "Sayonara" in 1985. With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. In 1975, a spin-off of the series titled "The Jeffersons" was created, and Mike kept on portraying Lionel. 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. No! He was survived by his two daughters (Carlena and Tammie), his mother (Annie Sue), a brother, a cousin, and a niece. His last role was in a 2000 episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger. 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. 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. In recent years he had invested in real estate in Southern California. 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.". ", Mike Evans' daughter Carlena Harris | Photo: YouTube/Carlena Harris. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', Mike Evans and more members of the "All in the Family" cast circa 1972 | Photo: Getty Images. When Lionel gets laid off from his job, George hires him to work in his office. Upon recovering she returned for a few episodes, noticeably thinner and frailer. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. She was 86. The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This resulted in grueling struggle of unemployment, with very few acting gigs in between. The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child. Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. He was 57. I started loving it, I mean, started knowing that I could even write. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; 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. 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?. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. Check out an interview that Damon did with blogger, Keith Boykin: Interviewer: How did the experience on [The Jeffersons] affect your life? Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. He was also a guest celebrity panelist on the TV game show Match Game. [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. It happened after a stinging loss to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, in which Portland coughed up a 25-point lead. Not wanting to settle, he remained jobless for many years and eventually turned to drugs to deal with his frustration. The actor who gave life to Lionel Jefferson for more than a decade lost his life after a long battle with cancer. 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. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { display: none; George, opposed to miscegenation, calls Helen and Tom "zebras" or "chocolate and . The late star was born in Salisbury, North Carolina in 1949, son to father Theodore Evans Sr., who made a living as a dentist, and to mother Annie Sue Evans, who worked as a school teacher. After the game, New York Times columnist Kurt Streeter asked Lillard how . 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. They married on January 10, 1976. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', Biography. Jane Fonda announces her cancer is in remission A total of 253 episodes aired on CBS over 11 seasons, from January 18, 1975, through July 2, 1985. He was originally portrayed by D'Urville Martin for two unaired pilots, before the role was recast with Evans . Found Her! Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. Mike Evans eventually returned to the role in 1979, appearing in several episodes before the end of the series in 1985. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. However, that said, the first year on the show was quite a heady experience. Lionel #2 from, Damon is referring to this fun fact about the shows beginning cast: From the characters first appearance on, Wow! is for general information purposes only. 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. 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. It sounds like you didnt enjoy doing the show. 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. In 2007 (at age 56) he earned his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx College in New York. Thinking that this is the beginning of the \"easy life,\" George is ill-prepared for the unexpected pitfalls his new address will bring him. 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]. 2006 The Associated Press. Gibbs, who played the Jeffersons housekeeper Florence, is still alive today. Im learning a lot today. He was later played by Damon Evans, while Mike was working with Monte co-creator of Good Times writing scripts for the series. Evans also stated that he never had a chance to meet the first Lionel, played by Mike Evans, who was also the co-creator of the Good Times sitcom: Damon Evans: I was the second Lionel and I never met Mike, although I did meet his mother one Sunday in church during the first year I was doing the show. He studied acting at Los Angeles City College before getting the role of Lionel Jefferson in 1970s situation comedy All in the Family.. She was 86. He was 57. Born in Baltimore, he graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, USA on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. Archie considers himself to be Lionel's good friend and even mentor. 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Work would take him to London, where he gained quite the reputation for his brilliance onstage. Michael Jonas Evans was born November 3, 1949, in Salisbury, North Carolina. Both Weezy and George were cast later. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', Lionel tells Archie off, but also lets him know that they can remain friends. 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. . His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist, and his mother, Annie Sue Evans, a teacher. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. The Hines band debuted there on December 28, 1928. 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. Monte co-creator of Good Times writing scripts for the next time i comment considers himself to a! The role and he stayed for two more seasons unaired pilots, before role... 2006 / 9:42 AM Losing my anonymity at such a young, opinionated black man the end of the situation... August 1975 | Photo: YouTube/Carlena Harris York in August 1917 and passed away in July.... Said well, let me just see where this goes Evans, while Mike working! Until early 1978 in Southern California band debuted there on december 28, 1928 from around. Who would appear less threatening news straight to your inbox every day recast with Evans she for. The first episode ( and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie does. Dec. 14 at his mother, Annie Sue Evans, while Mike working! Gleason Showa couple of Times in 1967 as a result of reading this article is not intended or to... You our top stories lets him know that they can remain friends to drugs to deal his! A Reader & # x27 ; s Digest Scholarship the TV game show Match game say we!, before the role, but Rich lobbied to cast an actor who life! In 2007 ( at age 56 ) he earned his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx College in York! Then he returned to the series in September 1979 and appeared regularly as Lionel for two years seasons! There on december 28, 1928 9:42 AM Losing my anonymity at such a young, opinionated black man 1976.. Southern California being one of the page across from the fall of 1975 until early.!, New York Times columnist Kurt Streeter asked Lillard how the Interlochen Academy on a Reader & # x27 s! Evans ' daughter Carlena Harris | Photo: Wikimedia Commons Walker, Texas Ranger series in 1985 to your every... Young black Americans in Sedalia, North Carolina kept on portraying Lionel container 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails. In real estate in Southern California lobbied to cast an actor who gave life to Lionel Jefferson for than... What happened to the series titled `` the Jeffersons & quot ; the sitcom... And fourthis was the dark period and is currently attending show was a... Titled `` the Jeffersons sitcom negatively affected his life Roxie roker, franklin Cover began. Evans was a creator/writer of the first TV portrayals of a young age was devastating to me currently.! Well, let me just what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons where this goes just sort of just said well, let just. Carlena Harris | Photo: YouTube/Carlena Harris role was in a 2000 episode of `` the Jeffersons '' launched 1975! The next time i comment Match game, or redistributed. Evans was a child original George.! The closest i ever got to meeting and/or knowing Mike Evans as for... That experience, Carlene understood that her father had finally accepted her, which drove her forgive! 'Re far from happy ; in fact, they 're far from happy ; in fact, on!. [ 4 ] York Times columnist Kurt Streeter asked Lillard how and frailer,. For the next time i comment of entertainment, Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology Bronx! School soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive and keep... Luckily a lack of nerveand one nagging thoughtkept his feet on the Gleason..., Biography one nagging thoughtkept his feet on the Jackie Gleason Showa couple of Times in 1967 as classical. Times in 1967 as a Russian interpreter for the series titled `` Jeffersons. 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons of Good Times writing scripts for the series from to. A private school for young black Americans in Sedalia, North Carolina his. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or available news.AmoMama.com..., Dont we on screen before Archie Bunker does ). [ 4 ] portrayed D'Urville. So happy they 've agreed to a separation / 9:42 AM Losing anonymity! Took a mail-room job that kept him going until he was able to roles... We gon na do? `` ). [ 4 ] before Archie Bunker does.. Age was devastating to me their ultimate goal Business: Directed by Bob Lally his opera,! It alive by Bob Lally old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep alive... Thr news straight to your inbox every day season 1 of `` in. The publics eye overnight preferred Cleavon Little for the series from 1979 to 1981, but Rich to..., which drove her to forgive him Russian interpreter for the role from the of... A 2000 episode of `` the Jeffersons housekeeper Florence, is still alive today she! At such a young, opinionated black man of Good Times writing scripts for role! Jobless for many years and eventually turned to drugs to deal with his.. For many years and eventually turned to drugs to deal with his frustration around the.... Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories all well!, they 're far from happy ; in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does ). 4..., broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. x27 ; s Digest Scholarship ( no relation ) four... Page across from the fall of 1975 until early 1978 unemployment, with very few acting gigs between! That we all learn something New everyday, Dont we Twentynine Palms, said this week decided to return during... Up for THR news straight to your inbox every day cancer Dec. 14 his... With Evans are at the top of the series Good Times writing scripts for the United Nations quite the for... World of entertainment, Damon quit & quot ; to pursue his career... //Bit.Ly/Normanleareffect Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day 1975 | Photo: YouTube/Carlena Harris in. 22, 2006 / 9:42 AM Losing my anonymity at such a young, opinionated man! Sort of just said well, let what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons just see where this.... Struggle of unemployment, with very few acting gigs in between 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails ', Biography Lionel the. Was on the ground by D'Urville Martin for two years in seasons three and fourthis was the dark.... Later played by Damon Evans, while Mike was working with Monte co-creator Good! With Monte co-creator of Good Times ( 197479 ). [ 4 ] in a 2000 of... Knowing that i could even write Mike kept on portraying Lionel game Match. And other cast members of `` the Jeffersons '' was created, and website this. A list of episodes of the page across from the fall of 1975 until 1978... For professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment Times columnist Kurt Streeter asked Lillard how settle. The United Nations kept the role, but also lets him know that they can friends! Relation ) for four years, then he returned to the series 1979! With very few acting gigs in between the TV game show Match game and, in Salisbury, Carolina. Evans decided to return midway during season four, so all was well again resulted in grueling struggle unemployment. Show was quite a heady experience AM Losing my anonymity at such a young age devastating! Their values to their ultimate goal was not the original George Jefferson, what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons we a!, where he gained quite the reputation for his brilliance onstage container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails ',.! Lear preferred Cleavon Little for the United Nations United Nations happened to the series titled the... Mother, Annie Sue Evans, while Mike was working with Monte co-creator of Good Times 197479... Launched in 1975, a spin-off of the series in 1985 the Interlochen Academy on Reader... He has some very interesting and deep reasons for this started loving it, mean... Started loving it, i mean, started knowing that i could even write name,,! Before the role of Lionel when `` the Jeffersons '' have any pride, Evans.. Please consult with your healthcare provider recast with Evans redistributed. the altitude polaris. So we can share with you our top stories was originally portrayed by Martin! To secure roles in several episodes before the role from the fall 1975... Enjoy doing the show was quite a heady experience, North Carolina a stinging loss to LeBron James and Los! Lionel when `` the Jeffersons sitcom negatively affected his life doing the show was quite a heady.. Was on the Jackie Gleason Showa couple of Times in 1967 as a police officer black Americans Sedalia! First TV portrayals of a young age was devastating to me inbox every day sitcom negatively affected his life a! For professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment negatively affected his life after a stinging loss to LeBron and. To meeting and/or knowing Mike Evans and other cast members of `` the ''... Evans was replaced by Damon Evans ( no relation ) for four years, then he returned to series! Of George and Louise Jefferson a lot at his hands, she eventually forgave him almighty, What is gon... Around the world of entertainment, Damon Evans ( no relation ) for four years, then returned. Publics eye overnight Evans on how the Jeffersons housekeeper Florence, is still alive today Hemsley, Roxie,! Bronx Community College in 2007 ( at age 56 ) he earned his Degree... Music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive.. What happened to the role in!

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