iloveoldschoolmusic.com. Early life [ edit] Evans was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. I guess you can say that we all learn something new everyday, dont we? 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. 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 revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on The Jeffersons as well. display: none; Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. }, First published on December 22, 2006 / 9:42 AM. All in the Family's CBS spinoff series, The Jeffersons premiered in 1975. Evans appeared infrequently after that, and made his final appearance as Lionel in the two-part episode "Sayonara" in 1985. The episode with George's first appearance is called "Henry's Farewell," which is a fitting title--we never see Uncle Henry again. ! After the original Lionel Jefferson actor, Mike Evans (no relation to Damon), left the show, Damon replaced him in 1975. 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. On what advice he would tell others who want to follow in his footsteps and pursue an acting career. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', He explained during an interview with News & Notes that his foray into academics, though unplanned, was life-changing. Damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on . Mike Evans and other cast members of "The Jeffersons" circa 1974 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. While Carlene suffered a lot at his hands, she eventually forgave him. 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. 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. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. *Singing* Well were moving on up! To be quite honest, I didn't have a direction when I went there. She has been married to Tom Willis, a white man, for 34 years. Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. George, opposed to miscegenation, calls Helen and Tom "zebras" or "chocolate and . AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. 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). 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 guess you can say that we all learn something new everyday, dont we? As Lionel's parents and uncle Henry appear more frequently, Lionel's role becomes less significant. 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. Lionel is introduced in the first episode (and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does). container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! Lionel Gets the Business: Directed by Bob Lally. Mike Evans left The Jeffersons after its first season in order to devote more time to writing for Maude spinoff Good Times, which he had helped create. The actor who gave life to Lionel Jefferson for more than a decade lost his life after a long battle with cancer. It sounds like you didnt enjoy doing the show. In 2007 (at age 56) he earned his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx College in New York. They married on January 10, 1976. 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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. Damon sure had all of us fooled. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. I just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes. And things start evolving and I started tutoring. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. Mike Evans died in 2006 in his mothers house. A total of 253 episodes aired on CBS over 11 seasons, from January 18, 1975, through July 2, 1985. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; display: block; Thinking that this is the beginning of the \"easy life,\" George is ill-prepared for the unexpected pitfalls his new address will bring him. 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). He was 57. I started loving it, I mean, started knowing that I could even write. } Evans kept the role of Lionel when The Jeffersons launched in 1975. Are any of the members of peter, paul and mary still alive? And things start evolving and I started tutoring. Wow! | The Norman Lear Effecthttps://bit.ly/NormanLearEffect 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 . The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. 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Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. In 1978, Damon quit The Jeffersons to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. On the first two seasons of All in the Family, Lionel has an uncle named Henry. Evans played Lenny in the cast of the 197677 Danny Thomas situation comedy The Practice during its second and final season. And to be quite honest, I didnt have a direction when I went there. Justin Bieber concerts canceled on ticket sales sites So, naturally, he packs up and leaves his neighbors behind one day to move to the Soviet Union. 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. For other people named Michael Evans, see, "Mike Evans, 57; Lionel in 'Jeffersons' created 'Good Times', E! That was not the case. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. 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. Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. *Singing*. 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. He is the son of George and Louise Jefferson. And you know but gradually it happened, and of course, theres this whole new world in life. '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. I was afraid of change.. He was 57. I uprooted myself from a role as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics eye overnight. Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. On the PBS childrens show Sesame Street, Benedict was the Mad Painter who painted numbers everywhere. 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] Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. Isabel Sanford was born in New York City, New York in August 1917 and passed away in July 2004. All Rights Reserved. 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. Are any of the cast of my three sons still alive? Maestro cue the outro music! This event creates tension for Archie, though it elates Michael and Gloria. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. He was 57. He attended Palmer Memorial Institute, a private school for young black Americans in Sedalia, North Carolina. is for general information purposes only. 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. Did you? Damon also took a mail-room job that kept him going until he was able to secure roles in several small-time theater productions. TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. I just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. KB: Wow. It achieved the record of having topped the Nielsen ratings for five consecutive years. Unfortunately, when Damon's work permit in the UK expired, and he returned to the United States, the actor discovered he had been typecast as a comedic character. 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