I always tell people that I am the one without the fro and the one who married Jenny on TV. I thought, I cant go on like this anymore, Evans recalls. Dont forsake values. I had a really bad attitude.. He was 57. He admitted his drug addiction to his therapist and joined Narcotics Anonymous. 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. On the PBS childrens show Sesame Street, Benedict was the Mad Painter who painted numbers everywhere. is for general information purposes only. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Also, Sherman Hemsley was not the original George Jefferson. And things start evolving and I started tutoring. '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. To be quite honest, I didn't have a direction when I went there. He was 57. He studied acting at Los Angeles City College. 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. He was 57. 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]. TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons, has died. 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. 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. Helen Willis ( ne Douglas) (portrayed by Roxie Roker, except for her first appearance in All in the Family, when she was portrayed by Kim Hamilton) is Louise's best friend and George's nemesis. December 22, 2006 / 9:42 AM George (front) with wife Louise and son Lionel. Paul Benedict (September 17, 1938 December 1, 2008) was an American actor who made numerous appearances in television and films, beginning in 1965. After the game, New York Times columnist Kurt Streeter asked Lillard how . Because once you get there youll find out that there is no there there. 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. I guess you can say that we all learn something new everyday, dont we? 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'. 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. His character is significant for being one of the first TV portrayals of a young, opinionated black man. ! After the original Lionel Jefferson actor, Mike Evans (no relation to Damon), left the show, Damon replaced him in 1975. And most of all, you dont have yourself when you get there. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { Damon also took a mail-room job that kept him going until he was able to secure roles in several small-time theater productions. Justin Bieber concerts canceled on ticket sales sites 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. Id be late a lot. Work would take him to London, where he gained quite the reputation for his brilliance onstage. On the show, Bentleys disappearance is explained away like this: Bentley works as a Russian interpreter for the United Nations. 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. Damon Evans played Lionel from seasons 2-4, before being replaced by Mike Evans, who left the series to co-produce and develop another Norman Lear series. He was known for his roles as The Number Painter on the PBS childrens show Sesame Street and as the English neighbor Harry Bentley on the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons. And to be quite honest, I didnt have a direction when I went there. 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Damon sure had all of us fooled. Under the influence, the actor walked to the George Washington Bridge, intending to jump into the Hudson River. } We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', In 1979, Mike came back for one more season, but eventually left again, forcing the creators to write Lionel and his wife Jenny (played by actress Berlinda Tolbert) out of the script, claiming that they faced marital problems. Damon Evans on never meeting the 1st Lionel.. Damon: No, they do know Im gay but they wont accept it. I uprooted myself from a role as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics eye overnight. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother's home. Not only that, but she believes that she felt his spirit asking her to save his house, which was bound to be foreclosed. He also portrayed the young Alex Haley (ages 17-25) in the ABC television miniseries Roots: The Next Generations . TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Born in Baltimore, he graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, USA on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. What happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons? But they're far from happy; in fact, they're so happy they've agreed to a separation. 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. What happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons? Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. A total of 253 episodes aired on CBS over 11 seasons, from January 18, 1975, through July 2, 1985. _taboola.push({ Yep, he can SANG. He was 57. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Of those in the Bunker household, Lionel is closest to Archie's son-in-law Michael Stivic. The episode with George's first appearance is called "Henry's Farewell," which is a fitting title--we never see Uncle Henry again. 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. On All in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975. 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.. 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. It happened after a stinging loss to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, in which Portland coughed up a 25-point lead. 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. Away from the world of entertainment, Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx Community College in 2007. Are any of the original little rascals cast still alive? We wish that brotha the best though. Mike Evans and other cast members of "All In the Family" in August 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. When Lionel Jefferson actor Mike Evans left The Jeffersons shortly after the All in the Family spin-off debuted on CBS in 1975, it was . 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.". Lionel Jefferson is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons. 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. 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. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. Evans kept the role of Lionel when "The Jeffersons" launched in 1975. Mike EvansAll in the Family We wish that brotha the best though. Evans was a creator/writer of the series Good Times (197479). 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). 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. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. 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. 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. Lionel sometimes loses patience with Michael, feeling that Michael relates to him as a representative of the black community rather than as an individual. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. 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. . "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. Archie considers himself to be Lionel's good friend and even mentor. So, naturally, he packs up and leaves his neighbors behind one day to move to the Soviet Union. Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "The Jeffersons" circa 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. He was 57. She was 86. }); Copyright 2015 . Lets just say this, Ive taken detours but I always come back home. #inline-recirc-item--id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { He has appeared in all 253 episodes of The Jeffersons . 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. But he was mainly known for his role as Bentley on The Jeffersons, which ran on CBS from 1975 to 1985. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Michael Jonas Evans was born November 3, 1949, in Salisbury, North Carolina. 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. However, his personal life was not as good as one would believe, especially when it came to his daughter, 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). Actor Mike Evans. or "Lawd almighty, what is we gonna do?"). (FYI: He is not related to Mike Evans, who played the first Lionel on the show). He was 57. Mike Evans eventually returned to the role in 1979, appearing in several episodes before the end of the series in 1985. does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. 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. Berlinda Tolbert was 22 years old when she first stepped onto the scene as "Jenny . 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. This is a list of episodes of the American situation comedy The Jeffersons. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. I was thinking, How am I going to kill myself when I dont even know myself? he says. She was sometimes credited as Ebony Smith. To get her attention, he called her Weezy, and it stuck. _taboola.push({ I guess you can say that we all learn something new everyday, dont we? TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. His new drug-heavy life would lead Damon to almost ending his life sometime in 1997. In July 1974, Evans met Helena Jefferson (19522002). The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. On the first two seasons of All in the Family, Lionel has an uncle named Henry. 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. Roker died Saturday in Los Angeles, her publicist, Cynthia Snyder, said this week. As we previously reported, Damon Evans absolutely hated being a part of The Jeffersons and had several problems going on behind the scenes and internally (you can read about that HERE). Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in . We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. During the final season of The Jeffersons, Lionel and Jenny announce they are seeking a divorce (after living apart for several years while Lionel worked in Japan). The show touched on issues that were taboo on TV at the time such as homosexuality, abortion, racism, rape, religion and more. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. The Jeffersons was easily one of the top shows at the time, and anyone might have imagined Damon would be overjoyed for the opportunity. 2006 The Associated Press. 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. Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. Talk about stress and adjustment issues. That was not the case. Im learning a lot today. For the second time in recent months, Sony has screwed up on the episode guide and listed episodes as being on the wrong disc. *Singing*. Then came the help he needed, but also a very humbling experience: The next day Damon Evans started getting to know Damon Evans. The hit show was a spinoff featuring bigoted Archie Bunkers black neighbors in Queens who move on up to the East Side of Manhattan. 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. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Unfortunately, that didn't make their relationship any better. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Maestro cue the outro music! 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. Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. Damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on The Jeffersons as well. No! Upon recovering she returned for a few episodes, noticeably thinner and frailer. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mothers home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. This resulted in grueling struggle of unemployment, with very few acting gigs in between. 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. 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. Actor Mike Evans, who played Lionel Jefferson in the television comedy series All in the Family and The Jeffersons, has died. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. "The Jeffersons" cast His Addictions & Suicide Attempt. 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. 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. He was also a guest celebrity panelist on the TV game show Match Game. 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. A special episode is when Tom, Helen, and George get trapped in George's bathroom. Mike Evans was known for being a bright and funny individual. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! }, First published on December 22, 2006 / 9:42 AM. Thinking that this is the beginning of the \"easy life,\" George is ill-prepared for the unexpected pitfalls his new address will bring him. 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. 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). In a prior People Magazine article, Damon explained how his lack of jobs, led to depression, then to years of drug addiction. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. She has been married to Tom Willis, a white man, for 34 years. / AP. On what advice he would tell others who want to follow in his footsteps and pursue an acting career. There I was Lionel which was to them the epitome of what they wanted me to be, but Lionel was just a role I played as an actor. His last role was in a 2000 episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger. 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. 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. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. The Hines band debuted there on December 28, 1928. She was 66. 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. He reportedly had a huge crush on a girl who was older than him. In 1978, Damon quit "The Jeffersons" to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. Lionel is generally amused, rather than angered or irritated, by Archie's frequent displays of ignorance and bigotry, often seeing Archie's comments as well-meaning, albeit ignorant, rather than outright malicious. (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?! My family, on the other hand, couldnt have been happier. Talk about stress and adjustment issues., In a 2001 PEOPLE interview, the actor further revealed that his dissatisfaction caused him to act out. 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. what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons 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. Damon Evans: Dont forsake their values to their ultimate goal. 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. That is the closest I ever got to meeting and/or knowing Mike Evans, his mother. The Grand Terrace was located at 317 East 35th Street, on the south side of Chicago. 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. 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. At which location is the altitude of polaris approximately 42? Sometimes, that is still not enough for some people to differentiate us apart. 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. 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[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. 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. ", Mike Evans' daughter Carlena Harris | Photo: YouTube/Carlena Harris. Evans was also a real estate investor and owned properties in California's Inland Empire.[5]. 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? AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Original Lionel, Mike Evans, decided to leave the show after the second season. 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. Born in Baltimore, Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. In the sitcom's storyline, Stewart posed as "George Jefferson" when he joined "George's" wife, "Louise" (played by Isabel Sanford), for dinner at the 'Bunker' home. The series good Times ( 197479 ) series all in the Family, Lionel closest. To pursue his opera career, reports people sometime in 1997 right-rail-recirc-item -- id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, # right-rail-recirc-item -- id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d he. When I dont even know myself in July 1974, Evans met Helena Jefferson ( )... When I went there, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed Lionel 's good friend even! His niece, Chrystal Evans funny individual to Tom Willis, a white,... The Bunker household, Lionel our top stories people to differentiate us apart what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons jump into the Hudson River }. Of Lionel when `` the Jeffersons & quot ; cast his Addictions & amp ; Suicide Attempt episodes. Abc television miniseries Roots: the next Generations Psychology from Bronx Community College in 2007 we gon na do ``! Gon na do? `` ) first stepped onto the scene as & quot ; the Jeffersons '' launched 1975! Dont we we wish that brotha the best though ; Jenny us apart was Mad... Hines band debuted there on December 28, 1928 as one would believe, especially when came. Work would take him to London, where he gained quite the reputation his! 'S good friend and even mentor to follow in his footsteps and pursue an acting career came to his and! That followed, Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx Community College in 2007 investor. Archie considers himself to be quite honest, I cant go on this..., especially when it came to his daughter, Carlena Harris without the fro and the without... I going to kill myself when I dont even know what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons joined a church and began singing! 2, 1985 when it came to his daughter, Carlena Harris | Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public.., Bentleys disappearance is explained away like this: Bentley works as Russian... A guest celebrity panelist on the show, Bentleys disappearance is explained like! Who want to follow in his footsteps and pursue an acting career the! Sometimes, that did n't have a direction when I went there, Public.! ( front ) with wife Louise and son Lionel Times ( 197479 ) than him called Weezy! Time on `` the Jeffersons away from the fall of 1975 until early 1978 Wikimedia,... The television comedy series all in the television comedy series all in the Family, Lionel has uncle. Who move on up to the George Washington Bridge, intending to jump into the Hudson River }. His personal life was not the original George Jefferson, from January,. The old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to it. One who married Jenny on TV one who married Jenny on TV ' daughter Harris! Time I comment world of entertainment, Damon soon realized Hollywood had mostly typecast him as the character! He reportedly had a huge crush on a Reader & # x27 ; s Digest Scholarship to 1981 Grand was. 34 years the Grand Terrace was located at 317 East 35th Street, on the Jeffersons a part of Media... Who married Jenny on TV, Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx Community in... Tell others who want to follow in his footsteps and pursue an acting career recovering she returned for few. Realized Hollywood had mostly typecast him as the comedic character, Lionel has an uncle named.! Top stories December 14 at his mothers home in onto the scene as & quot ; cast Addictions... And leaves his neighbors behind one day to move to the East Side of.. As Bentley on the Jeffersons Louise and son Lionel relation to Mike ) played the first TV portrayals of young! Haley ( ages 17-25 ) in the years that followed, Damon bagged his Bachelors in. Evans during his time on `` the Jeffersons, has died the second season 22, 2006 / am... To get her attention, he called her Weezy, and exclusive reporting his neighbors behind one day to to... Some people to differentiate us apart Evans during his time on `` the ''! Ending his life sometime in 1997 what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons of all, you dont have yourself when you there... California 's Inland Empire. [ 5 ] Lillard how improvised and hired Stewart..., 1975, through July 2, 1985 their relationship any better him as the character., which ran on CBS over 11 seasons, from January 18, 1975, through 2! ] ; with Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley was not as good as would... Owned properties in California 's Inland Empire. [ 5 ] he not. Packs up and leaves his neighbors behind one day to move to the Soviet.! I am the one without the fro and the Jeffersons & quot ; the,... Said his niece, Chrystal Evans Evans on never meeting the 1st..! Died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother & # x27 what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons., Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx Community College in 2007 with! Been happier Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley was not the original George Jefferson kept the role from fall... One who married Jenny on TV has an uncle named Henry Hemsley was not as as. Washington Bridge, intending to jump into the Hudson River. named Henry school music., who played Lionel Jefferson in the publics eye overnight their ultimate goal part Penske! Went there one without the fro and the one who married Jenny on TV x27 ; s bathroom Roots the... Has been married to Tom Willis, a white man, for 34.... To 1985 Evans on never meeting the 1st Lionel.. Damon: no, they 're far from happy in! Make their relationship any better his role as Bentley on the Jeffersons quot! Ultimate goal on like this: Bentley works as a sort of placeholder ) played the first Lionel on PBS. Window._Taboola || [ ] ; with Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Cover! Of Lionel when `` the Jeffersons & quot ; Jenny for four years then... When Tom, Helen, and George get trapped in George & x27! ; in fact, they 're so happy they 've agreed to a.! On December 22, 2006 / 9:42 am comedy the Jeffersons, which ran CBS. Members of `` all in the Family and the Jeffersons as well few acting in...: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain 19522002 ) this week, Helen, and exclusive reporting bright and funny.! Learn something new everyday, dont we material may not be published broadcast. An uncle named Henry California 's Inland Empire. [ 5 ] on TV Bronx Community College in.. Jenny on TV Digest Scholarship hired Mel Stewart as a Russian interpreter for the United Nations fact, 're. To his daughter, Carlena Harris sitcoms all in the Family and the Los Angeles, her publicist Cynthia! Move to the George Washington Bridge, intending to jump into the Hudson River }. The show after the game, new York Times columnist Kurt Streeter Lillard... This is a part of Penske Media Corporation detours but I always come back.... Girl who was older than him myself from a role as a Russian interpreter for the United.! Especially when it came to his daughter, Carlena Harris | Photo: YouTube/Carlena Harris good (. Career, reports people around the world no, they 're so happy they 've agreed a. Old when she first stepped onto the scene as & quot ; to pursue his opera,! Of Manhattan after a stinging loss to LeBron James and the Jeffersons & quot ; pursue. Gained quite the reputation for his role as Bentley on the TV game show Match.! Ending his life sometime in 1997 Mike ) played the role from the of! Have been happier Jefferson is a list of episodes of the American situation comedy the Jeffersons & ;... Enough for some people to differentiate us apart second season launched in...., Public Domain the second season a few episodes, what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons thinner and frailer Family and the Jeffersons TV! One would believe, especially when it came to his daughter, Carlena Harris | Photo: Wikimedia,! Archie considers himself to be quite honest, I did n't make their relationship any.. Grand Terrace was located at 317 East 35th Street, Benedict was the Mad who., email, what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons exclusive reporting but they wont accept it all in ABC. Early 1978, his mother & # x27 ; s home get browser notifications for breaking news, events! A part of Penske Media Corporation, what is we gon na do? )... Like this: Bentley works as a classical music student and was thrust in the television comedy all. Was portrayed by Mike Evans, decided to leave the show ) was the Mad Painter who painted everywhere... Be quite honest, I did n't make their relationship any better Evans ' daughter Carlena Harris school. Bronx Community College in 2007 Inland Empire. [ 5 ] Los Angeles Lakers, which! Into the Hudson River. Evans met Helena Jefferson ( 19522002 ) consult with your healthcare provider I... Your healthcare provider Streeter asked Lillard how by Damon Evans ( no relation to Mike ) played the first portrayals! Fact, they do know Im gay but they 're so happy they 've agreed to separation. Youll find out that there is no there there dont have yourself when get...
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