She has been married to Tom Willis, a white man, for 34 years. 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. High on crack cocaine and crystal methamphetamine, he walked from his upper Manhattan apartment to the George Washington Bridge and contemplated leaping into the Hudson River 250 feet below. He was 57. Roker died Saturday in Los Angeles, her publicist, Cynthia Snyder, said this week. Of those in the Bunker household, Lionel is closest to Archie's son-in-law Michael Stivic. Show developer Norman Lear preferred Cleavon Little for the role, but Rich lobbied to cast an actor who would appear less threatening. 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. In 1975, a spin-off of the series titled "The Jeffersons" was created, and Mike kept on portraying Lionel. Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "The Jeffersons" circa 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. Luckily a lack of nerveand one nagging thoughtkept his feet on the ground. The show touched on issues that were taboo on TV at the time such as homosexuality, abortion, racism, rape, religion and more. 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. Losing my anonymity at such a young age was devastating to me. But his big break was his Jeffersons character of Tom Willis, a great foil to George. 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. Lionel #2 from The Jeffersons. Actor Mike Evans, who played Lionel Jefferson in the television comedy series All in the Family and The Jeffersons, has died. He admitted his drug addiction to his therapist and joined Narcotics Anonymous. 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]. 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. When the series ended, Gibbs took on other TV roles including portraying Mary Jenkins on the sitcom 227. https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/actors/sherman-hemsley-net-worth/, https://the-jeffersons.fandom.com/wiki/Florence_Johnston, Georges Weezy nickname was based off on a real-life romance. Posted On : May 14, 2015. 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 . Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mothers home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. Away from the world of entertainment, Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx Community College in 2007. "The Jeffersons" cast His Addictions & Suicide Attempt. Via People: A depressed and unemployed Evans came close to ending his own life. In 1978, Damon quit The Jeffersons to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. Born in Baltimore, he graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, USA on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. 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. On September 11, 2002, Helena Evans died of breast cancer after she was diagnosed in February 2001. ", Mike Evans' daughter Carlena Harris | Photo: YouTube/Carlena Harris. Sometimes I wouldnt show up at all, he recalled. To this very day, I dont think they have a clue as to who I really am, and thats there loss. It happened after a stinging loss to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, in which Portland coughed up a 25-point lead. Check out an interview that Damon did with interviewer, Keith Boykin, Damon Evans on how The Jeffersons sitcom negatively affected his life. 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). On the PBS childrens show Sesame Street, Benedict was the Mad Painter who painted numbers everywhere. Ultimately, his struggles pushed him to a suicide attempt that fortunately went wrong:The Jeffersons actor, Damon Evans (via Facebook). Dont forsake values. 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 always tell people that I am the one without the fro and the one who married Jenny on TV. What happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons? In 1978, Damon quit "The Jeffersons" to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. '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. 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. I had a really bad attitude.. However, that said, the first year on the show was quite a heady experience. 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 died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in . 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He was 57. Damon Evans took over the role and he stayed for two years in seasons three and fourthis was the dark period. When Boykin asked if he didnt enjoy being on the show, Damon did not mince words: Not really. 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. All in the Family's CBS spinoff series, The Jeffersons premiered in 1975. 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. Mike Evans and other cast members of "The Jeffersons" circa 1974 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. Lionel Jefferson is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons. However, his personal life was not as good as one would believe, especially when it came to his daughter, Carlena Harris. Isabel Sanford was born in New York City, New York in August 1917 and passed away in July 2004. 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. She was 86. George Jefferson is a fictional character played by Sherman Hemsley on the American television sitcoms All in the Family (1973-1975, 1978) and its spin-off The Jeffersons (1975-1985), in which he serves as the program's protagonist. _taboola.push({ 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 information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 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. He was 57. While the actor was away from the Jeffersons, Damon Evans, who starred in the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" and Broadway's "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope," replaced him between the second and fourth seasons. 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'. Evans was also a real estate investor and owned properties in California's Inland Empire.[5]. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother's home. 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. Wow! His character is significant for being one of the first TV portrayals of a young, opinionated black man. Can i add someone to my wells fargo account online? 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 sure had all of us fooled. 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. Lionel Jefferson is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons. "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. Evans was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. 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. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. 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. We wish that brotha the best though. *Singing* Well were moving on up! Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Evans was a creator/writer of the series Good Times (197479).[4]. That is the closest I ever got to meeting and/or knowing Mike Evans, his mother. Lionel Gets the Business: Directed by Bob Lally. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. Talk about stress and adjustment issues., In a 2001 PEOPLE interview, the actor further revealed that his dissatisfaction caused him to act out. 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). 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. 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. #TheJeffersons #LionelJefferson #BreakupThe Jeffersons | Lionel and Jenny Are Splitting Up! He was survived by his two daughters (Carlena and Tammie), his mother (Annie Sue), a brother, a cousin, and a niece. display: none; 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. He was 57. On the first two seasons of All in the Family, Lionel has an uncle named Henry. _taboola.push({ TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. One could say Mike was quite successful in the entertainment industry for a little more than a decade. Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. What happened to Hines during that decade is the stuff legends are made of. Mike EvansAll in the Family I thought, I cant go on like this anymore, Evans recalls. 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. Evans was a creator/writer of the series Good Times (197479). container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', And things start evolving and I started tutoring. is for general information purposes only. Tom Sizemore's family told there's "no further hope" after aneurysm 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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