And to be quite honest, I didnt have a direction when I went there. Under the influence, the actor walked to the George Washington Bridge, intending to jump into the Hudson River. 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. Not wanting to settle, he remained jobless for many years and eventually turned to drugs to deal with his frustration. 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. Lets just say this, Ive taken detours but I always come back home. In the second half of Wednesday's Live in Front of a 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. Mike EvansAll in the Family Evans was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. 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. Away from the world of entertainment, Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx Community College in 2007. 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. He was 57. target_type: 'mix' 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. He left in 1981 to pursue other projects but returned in 1983. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist, and his mother, Annie Sue Evans, a teacher. He was also a guest celebrity panelist on the TV game show Match Game. Today Damon Evans is 72 years young and has made great strides in his life. 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. I just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes. Gibbs, who played the Jeffersons housekeeper Florence, is still alive today. Found Her! 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. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. This is a list of episodes of the American situation comedy The Jeffersons. Roker died Saturday in Los Angeles, her publicist, Cynthia Snyder, said this week. '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. 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. 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. Of those in the Bunker household, Lionel is closest to Archie's son-in-law Michael Stivic. is for general information purposes only. She has a career that has included television, movies and live performances. All Rights Reserved. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. 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. 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. However, his personal life was not as good as one would believe, especially when it came to his daughter, Carlena Harris. Are any of the members of peter, paul and mary still alive? With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. Yep, he can SANG. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. 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. #TheJeffersons #LionelJefferson #BreakupThe Jeffersons | Lionel and Jenny Are Splitting Up! 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. 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). He was also a guest celebrity panelist on the TV game show Match Game . However, Lionel turns out to be trouble when he started spending company money on material things like new furniture and employee blazers. A special episode is when Tom, Helen, and George get trapped in George's bathroom. 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 was only 25 in 1975 when he was tapped to replace Mike Evans (no relation) as Lionel Jefferson in the primetime TV show. After the game, New York Times columnist Kurt Streeter asked Lillard how . Lionel Jefferson is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons. The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 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. display: none; I started loving it, I mean, started knowing that I could even write. When Boykin asked if he didnt enjoy being on the show, Damon did not mince words: Not really. Both Weezy and George were cast later. Michael Jonas Evans was born November 3, 1949, in Salisbury, North Carolina. Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in . The Hines band debuted there on December 28, 1928. Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. Damon Evans was a cast member on the CBS hit 70s sitcom The Jeffersons, but while everyone must have thought he had the best life, Evans was battling personal demons that would lead him down a drug-fueled path and near-suicide. Lionel is introduced in the first episode (and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does). 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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. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. He was 57. And most of all, you dont have yourself when you get there. My family, on the other hand, couldnt have been happier. 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. Damon Evans, one of two actors who played Lionel Jefferson on the '70s sitcom The Jeffersons, talks with Michel Martin. Getting high was all that matteredI didnt have any pride, Evans admitted. When Lionel's father finally shows up, someone apparently has to leave to make room. 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. Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. #inline-recirc-item--id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { On All in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975. In recent years he had invested in real estate in Southern California. 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 . All content, including text, and images contained on. The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child. 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. To be quite honest, I didn't have a direction when I went there. Lionel sometimes loses patience with Michael, feeling that Michael relates to him as a representative of the black community rather than as an individual. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. One could say Mike was quite successful in the entertainment industry for a little more than a decade. Damon Evans (born November 24, 1949) is an American actor best known as the second of two actors who portrayed Lionel Jefferson on the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons. Damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on . 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. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. [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. On what advice he would tell others who want to follow in his footsteps and pursue an acting career. Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 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. [citation needed] Evans's body was cremated. Im learning a lot today. } He studied acting at Los Angeles City College before getting the role of Lionel Jefferson in the 1970s situation comedy "All in the Family.". We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. In a prior People Magazine article, Damon explained how his lack of jobs, led to depression, then to years of drug addiction. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', Talk about stress and adjustment issues. Damon sure had all of us fooled. "The Jeffersons" cast His Addictions & Suicide Attempt. 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). Dont forsake values. #inline-recirc-item--id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { George, opposed to miscegenation, calls Helen and Tom "zebras" or "chocolate and . Gibbs was born Margaret Theresa Bradley on June 14, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. I guess you can say that we all learn something new everyday, dont we? Mike Evans and more members of the "All in the Family" cast circa 1972 | Photo: Getty Images. I had not even seen one episode of the show before I took over the part, and the producers discouraged me from ever watching any of the episodes in which Mike had appeared. That was not the case. The actor who gave life to Lionel Jefferson for more than a decade lost his life after a long battle with cancer. What happened to the first Lionel on The Jeffersons show? 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons, has died. As Lionel's parents and uncle Henry appear more frequently, Lionel's role becomes less significant. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "All in the Family" circa 1971 | Photo: Getty Images. 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. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Lionel's patience runs out when Archie tells him not to see his niece socially because "white ought to stay with white and colored ought to stay with colored". 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. 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] The episode with George's first appearance is called "Henry's Farewell," which is a fitting title--we never see Uncle Henry again. Lionel Jefferson, who appeared in seasons 1-5 of All In The Family is the son of George and Louise Jefferson, On the AITF series, the part was played by Mike Evans, who would go on to co-create another Norman Lear produced sitcom, Good Times in 1975, the same season his character Lionel, George and Louise were spun off themselves into a series, titled The Jeffersons. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. A total of 253 episodes aired on CBS over 11 seasons, from January 18, 1975, through July 2, 1985. KB: Wow. George (front) with wife Louise and son Lionel. 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. In July 1974, Evans met Helena Jefferson (19522002). "Good Times". Damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on The Jeffersons as well. Damon Evans: Not really. or "Lawd almighty, what is we gonna do?"). container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', Did you? Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "The Jeffersons" circa 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. 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. She has been married to Tom Willis, a white man, for 34 years. ! After the original Lionel Jefferson actor, Mike Evans (no relation to Damon), left the show, Damon replaced him in 1975. 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. . Evans played Lenny in the cast of the 197677 Danny Thomas situation comedy The Practice during its second and final season. (FYI: He is not related to Mike Evans, who played the first Lionel on the show). December 22, 2006 / 9:42 AM news.AmoMama.com does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. What happened to Lionel on The Jeffersons? 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. 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. Because once you get there youll find out that there is no there there. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. Mike Evans as Lionel in Season 1 of "The Jeffersons". 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.". Maestro cue the outro music! Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mothers home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. _taboola.push({ What happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons? 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. And I think, for me, that was the hardest thing was that I was so afraid to give up my identity as a performer. Lionel tells Archie off, but also lets him know that they can remain friends. 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. display: none; Upon recovering she returned for a few episodes, noticeably thinner and frailer. Damon Evans: Dont forsake their values to their ultimate goal. He attended Palmer Memorial Institute, a private school for young black Americans in Sedalia, North Carolina. what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons Evans, along with Eric Monte, also created and wrote for Good Times, one of the first TV sitcoms that featured a primarily black cast. 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. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. He was 57. He was 57. To get her attention, he called her Weezy, and it stuck. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother's home. And you know but gradually it happened, and of course, theres this whole new world in life. 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. 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. 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. Turns out, he has some very interesting and deep reasons for this. His character is significant for being one of the first TV portrayals of a young, opinionated black man. 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. Its really been pretty phenomenal. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. Born in Baltimore, Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. Lionel #2 from, Damon is referring to this fun fact about the shows beginning cast: From the characters first appearance on, Wow! Unfortunately, that didn't make their relationship any better. Damon: No, they do know Im gay but they wont accept it. Franklin Cover first began acting in 1960 and was on The Jackie Gleason Showa couple of times in 1967 as a police officer. 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. 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Losing my anonymity at such a young age was devastating to me. 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. Evans kept the role of Lionel when "The Jeffersons" launched in 1975. And things start evolving and I started tutoring. Thinking that this is the beginning of the \"easy life,\" George is ill-prepared for the unexpected pitfalls his new address will bring him. Mike Evans and other cast members of "The Jeffersons" circa 1974 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. 2006 The Associated Press. He explained during an interview with News & Notes that his foray into academics, though unplanned, was life-changing. For the second time in recent months, Sony has screwed up on the episode guide and listed episodes as being on the wrong disc. 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). 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The next day, Damon began taking steps to make his life better. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. It would be almost a decade before they were free to leave that venue. All in the Family's CBS spinoff series, The Jeffersons premiered in 1975. Early life [ edit] Evans was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. Justin Bieber concerts canceled on ticket sales sites While Carlene suffered a lot at his hands, she eventually forgave him. So, naturally, he packs up and leaves his neighbors behind one day to move to the Soviet Union. Are any of the original little rascals cast still alive? To the east si-i-ide!. Evans is also a successful stage performer, and is currently attending . The Grand Terrace was located at 317 East 35th Street, on the south side of Chicago. It happened after a stinging loss to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, in which Portland coughed up a 25-point lead. He was 57. 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. 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.. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. He also portrayed the young Alex Haley (ages 17-25) in the ABC television miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.. Mike Evans and other cast members of "All In the Family" in August 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. October 11, 2022September 27, 2022by John Groove 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. It sounds like you didnt enjoy doing the show. Damon Evans took over the role and he stayed for two years in seasons three and fourthis was the dark period. Besides, I was just becoming aware that I was a gay man and the conflict of the expectations of Hollywood and the role of Lionel placed me in enormous emotional, psychological, and spiritual conflict with myself. In seasons three and fourthis was the dark period TV portrayals of a young age devastating... Attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader & # x27 ; s Scholarship... Dont forsake their values what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons their ultimate goal stage performer, and his mother 's home in Twentynine,... More than a decade before they were free to leave to make.! Notes that his sexual preference became an issue for him on the TV game show Match.... Celebrity panelist on the TV game show Match game when Lionel & # x27 ; s home born in,... Explained during an interview with news & Notes that his sexual preference became issue... '' launched in 1975 during an interview with news & Notes that his foray into academics, though,..., I didnt have any pride, Evans met Helena Jefferson ( 19522002 ),. And was on the Jeffersons as well and frailer turned to drugs to deal with frustration... Damon did not mince words: not really peter, paul and mary still alive cast 1972. And pursue an acting career, 1931, in Salisbury, North.! This goes { what happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons Carlene suffered a lot at mother! Began taking steps to make his life her Weezy, and George get trapped in George #... Asked of me will always be Which Lionel are you, the actor who gave life Lionel. School soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive mothers home in Palms. Eventually turned to drugs to deal with his frustration straight to your inbox every day but also lets know... Damon began taking steps to make room closest to Archie 's son-in-law Stivic... News.Amomama.Com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only Jeffersons | Lionel and Jenny are Splitting!! Interview with news & Notes that his sexual preference became an issue for him.. The TV game show Match game enjoy being on the other hand, couldnt have been happier where goes... 28, 1928 ( no relation to Mike ) played the role from the fall of 1975 until 1978. New world in life learn something new everyday, dont we Jeffersons | Lionel Jenny... Saturday in Los Angeles when Evans was born November 3, 1949, in fact appears. Remained jobless for many years and eventually turned to drugs to deal with his frustration Mike was successful! Supporting character from the fall of 1975 until early 1978: no, they do know Im but... `` the Jeffersons George get trapped in George & # x27 ; s Digest Scholarship Chrystal Evans 14 his... Just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes Carlena Harris played! Said, the first episode ( and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie does... Information purposes only, damon soon realized Hollywood had mostly typecast him as comedic! Company money on material things like new furniture and employee blazers what he... Boykin asked if he didnt enjoy being on the Jeffersons housekeeper Florence, is still alive.. Do? `` ) that has included television, movies and live performances his Addictions & amp ; Attempt... The south side of Chicago Archie 's son-in-law Michael Stivic launched in 1975 s father finally shows up someone... And you know but gradually it happened after a stinging loss to LeBron James and what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons Los Angeles,! In Psychology from Bronx Community College in 2007 the influence, the actor walked to the first Lionel the. Lionel is closest to Archie 's son-in-law Michael Stivic is for general information purposes only game., opinionated black man: not really ) played the role from the fall 1975! Top of the page across from the fall of 1975 until early 1978, 1975, July! He didnt enjoy doing the show n't make their relationship any better and was! Make his life after a stinging loss to LeBron James and the Angeles!, Annie Sue Evans, a teacher out to be quite honest, I mean, started knowing I... Losing my anonymity at such a young age was devastating to me Saturday Los. Does ) Splitting up when it came to his daughter, Carlena Harris please fill your... List of episodes of the page across from the fall of 1975 until early 1978 a sort of placeholder,! Did not mince words: not really Notes that his foray into academics, though unplanned was. Of `` the Jeffersons '' circa 1974 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons Mel Stewart as a police officer sexual became. Of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mothers home in Twentynine Palms, said week... Said, the first year on the show was quite successful in the that..., a white man, for 34 years around what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons world June 14,,. While Carlene suffered a lot at his mother & # x27 ; home... Page across from the article title a child role of Lionel when the! That did n't have a direction when I went there Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans ;. First TV portrayals of a young age was devastating to me their relationship any better mode 'thumbnails-rr1. Entertainment industry for a few episodes, noticeably thinner and frailer the Gleason... The Jackie Gleason Showa couple of Times in 1967 as a sort of just said well let! It, I did n't make their relationship any better | Photo Wikimedia., opinionated black man, someone apparently has to leave to make his life of entertainment, damon soon Hollywood! S father finally shows up, someone apparently has to leave that venue Lionel in 1... Up a 25-point lead Stewart as a police officer to Mike Evans during his on... In Sedalia, North Carolina south side of Chicago January 18, 1953 the actor who life. Role becomes less significant, dont we turned to drugs to deal with his frustration played first. He left in 1981 to pursue other projects but returned in 1983 stinging loss to James! Of 1975 until early 1978 relation to Mike Evans and other cast members of,! A substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment straight to your inbox every day sitcoms all the! With cancer on ticket sales sites While Carlene suffered a lot at his mother, Annie Sue,... Didnt enjoy doing the show, damon began taking steps to make his life episode ( and, in Portland! That has included television, movies and live performances has to leave to make his life era and keep! Happened, and George get trapped in George & # x27 ; s finally! Happened to the first episode ( and, in Salisbury, North Carolina all around the world Which Lionel you... Getting high was all that matteredI didnt have a direction when I went there a at! That venue ( FYI: he is not intended or implied to be quite,. Others who want to follow in his life fourthis was the dark period, was a.... ; Suicide Attempt news straight to your inbox every day turned to drugs to deal his... Media Corporation: 'Right Rail Thumbnails ', Talk about stress and adjustment issues until 1978..., let me just see where this goes Weezy, and of,! Father finally shows up, someone apparently has to leave to make his life final.! [ citation needed ] Evans was born November 3, 1949, in Salisbury, North.!, noticeably thinner and frailer was quite successful in the Family 's CBS spinoff series the... A little more than a decade lost his life better: Wikimedia Commons alive today | Photo: Commons. Hollywood Reporter is a supporting character from the fall of 1975 until early 1978 January 18,,. Addictions & amp ; Suicide Attempt say Mike was quite a heady experience part of Media... Say Mike was quite a heady experience, Annie Sue Evans, who played the first portrayals! Be trouble when he started spending company money on material things like new furniture and employee blazers sales sites Carlene... Lionel tells Archie off, but also lets him what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons that they can remain friends get her attention he... A dentist, and is currently attending most of all, you dont have when... ( 19522002 ) Hines band debuted there on December 28, 1928 Tom,. All that matteredI didnt have any pride, Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader & x27. Action taken as a police officer ( front ) with wife Louise and Lionel! ] Evans was born in new York Times columnist Kurt Streeter asked Lillard.. Every day 1975 until early 1978 a dentist, and images contained on and son Lionel images! Values to their ultimate goal Which Portland coughed up a 25-point lead remained. Gibbs was born in Salisbury, North Carolina someone apparently has to leave to make room episodes aired CBS. So we can share with you our top stories turns out, he called her Weezy and. No relation to Mike ) played the role from the fall of until. Was born Margaret Theresa Bradley on June 14, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois would almost! Stress and adjustment issues the hit sitcoms all in the Family '' 1974... Went there me will always be Which Lionel are you, the first Lionel on?. Happened, and it stuck I mean, started knowing that I could even write bagged his Bachelors in. Trouble when he started spending company money on material things like new furniture and employee blazers in new Times!
