Developed by Norman Lear at a time when his comedy shows were breaking new ground on U. S. television, the series also featured a racially mixed married couple as the Jeffersons neighbors. This article about an American television actor born in the 1940s is a stub. Lionel and Jenny (Damon Evans and Berlinda Tolbert) are very excited to celebrate their very first wedding anniversary on Christmas day, surrounded by their . what happened to the second lionel on the jeffersons. Case Number. The character of Bentley was written out, saying he went to live in the Soviet Union for two years. Mike Evans and Damon Evans The role of Lionel Jefferson was so vital to the sitcom it took two actors to play him. The Jeffersons had one spin-off, titled Checking In. Lionel Jefferson/Voiced by. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Lionel #2 from The Jeffersons. Lionel Jefferson is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons. After The Jeffersons ended, she continued her guest starring stint on shows like Amen, Jake and the Fatman, 7th Heaven, ER, and Six Feet Under. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Who was the second Lionel on The Jeffersons? By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, Mike and Damon were not related, and although I haven't researched it yet, I'm pretty sure Dick and Dick weren't related either. This was the biggest reason she gave to the Jeffersons and the Willises when she attempted to commit suicide in a Season Two episode. He was inspired by the character of Timothy Q. 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. She also had roles in the films Goodfellas (1990) alongside Samuel Jackson and Harlem Nights (1989) with Eddie Murphy. 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. For some reason, although we watched Good Times during its run (the show was itself a spin-off of Maude, which was another spin-off of All in the Family) I never made the connection that Evans was the fellow who had played Lionel Jefferson. It does not store any personal data. 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". How to Market Your Business with Webinars? Yet he died destitute. The Jeffersons Tolbert played the role of Jenny for the run of the series, from 1975-1985. In actuality, Benedict left the show to pursue other work, and the writers simply wrote him off and cut him free to do it. Damon's Off-Broadway credits include performances in A Day in the Life of Just About Everyone, Bury the Dead (for the Urban Arts Corp) and Love Me, Love My Children. S02:E204 - Harry and Daphne. For his part, Lionel remains unfazed by Archie's bigotry and unrelenting condescension. Benedicts oversized jaw and angular features were partly attributed to acromegaly, a pituitary disorder that was first diagnosed by an endocrinologist who saw Benedict in a theatrical production. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. If that were to happen today, it would carry a hefty price tag. Jessica was the child of Lionel Jefferson and Jenny Willis Jefferson. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Damon sure had all of us fooled. December 1, 2008Paul Benedict / Date of death, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". From the time George Jefferson and son Lionel began appearing on All in the Family until the lights dimmed on The Jeffersons set for the last time in 1985, the characters and stories became part of American culture. Village Name. Mike Evans returned to the series in September 1979 and appeared regularly as Lionel for two more seasons. He was the star of two of television's classic shows. After graduation, he attended the Boston Conservatory of Music. Can you record your spouse without consent in California? Born in Baltimore, he graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, USA on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. Case Type. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. However, that said, the first year on the show was quite a heady experience. Is Jenny still alive from The Jeffersons? HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. His character is significant for being one of the first TV portrayals of a young, opinionated black man. Messi (52 points) secured the individual accolade for the second time on Monday evening . 2 Who played the first Lionel on The Jeffersons? For the second time in recent months, Sony has screwed up on the episode guide and listed episodes as being on the wrong disc. 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. When Lionel founder Joshua Lionel Cowen's immigrant family arrived in New York after the Civil War, the railroads were literally America's engines of progress. The show focuses on George and Louise Jefferson, a prosperous African-American couple who have been able to move from Queens to Manhattan owing . Party Name. Benedict left the series at the end of the 1980-81 TV season, which became the seventh year of the sitcom. Request Answer. All Original Content Copyright by OTB. 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. The Jeffersons cast were, for a decade, among our small screen royalty. 227 was slated to air after The Jeffersons' run which was expected to last a few more seasons. 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. Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Career 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. Daughter Reveals Shocking Information About Her Dad Nov 17 tramscorp@aol.com He created "Good Times". Be notified when an answer is posted. Brady says a complete Lionel beginner's set can be had for $75, though the cheapest available . (FYI: He is not related to Mike Evans, who played the first Lionel on the show). He also portrayed the young Alex Haley (ages 17-25) in the ABC television miniseries Roots: The Next Generations. S02:E202 - George's First Vacation. How much did The Jeffersons apartment cost? Why did the original Lionel leave The Jeffersons? Analytics cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Check out an interview that Damon did with interviewer, Keith Boykin Damon Evans on how The Jefferson's sitcom negatively affected his life Damon Evans (born November 24, 1949) is an American actor and singer best known as the second of two actors who portrayed Lionel Jefferson on the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons. *Singing* Well were moving on up! Mike EvansAll in the Family She is an NYC-based studio producer and a champion of LGBT rights. On All in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975. Sanford ultimately was simply unwilling to perform in a reunion episode for airing on CBS or any other network. His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist while his mother, Annie Sue Evans, was a school teacher. Evans played Sportin' Life, a role originated by John W. Bubbles and originally written for famed 1920s and 1930s jazz bandleader and singer Cab Calloway. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Turns out, he has some very interesting and deep reasons for this. Remember him? It's just that viewers were used to and loved Mike Evans as Lionel Jefferson, and we never even tried to like Damon Evans.It's worth mentioning that, just like second Darren and original Darren from Bewitched, both sets of Lionel Jefferson actors shared a common name (Dick York and Dick Sargent from Bewitched and Michael Evans and Damon Evans from The Jeffersons see, you thought I was crazy, didn't you?) 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. Of those in the Bunker household, Lionel is closest to Archie's son-in-law Michael Stivic. The Jeffersons was a tv show that ran for 11 seasons, and after all of those years, the cast came to have very close relationships. Wiki User. Lionel remains at the pricey end of the traditional electric train market, as it was in the 1950s. My family, on the other hand, couldnt have been happier. On All in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975. His Off-Broadway credits include performances in A Day in the Life of Just About Everyone, Bury the Dead (for the Urban Arts Corp), and Love Me, Love My Children. 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 explained that he had left to devote more time to the show he had helped to create, Good Times. He is the son of George and Louise Jefferson. Her last credited performance was an appearance in the ninth episode of the fourth season entitled The Last Leaf, which aired November 12, 1977, three months before her death. Read More, In case of sale of your personal information, you may opt out by using the link Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Lionel and Jenny experienced marital issues, and separated by the spring of 1985, and later divorced, presumably, in the winter of 1985, after the The Jeffersons series had already been cancelled, which was on July 24, 1985. There are plenty of . The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child. He was 57. skip to next paragraph cbs, via associated press. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. The Jeffersons was a groundbreaking sitcom, and the first one that finally portrayed Black families . Interesting. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. He was originally portrayed by DUrville Martin for two unaired pilots, before the role was recast with Mike Evans. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In the early '70s, America was introduced to George Jefferson, a man who gained his riches by becoming a dry-cleaning legend. He was later played by Damon Evans (no relation), though Mike Evans eventually returned to the role before the end of the series. NFL legend Lionel James, who was famously known for his quirky name 'Little Train' died on Friday, February 25. 57 is quite young. target_type: 'mix' Season 2. However, Lionel turns out to be trouble when he started spending company money on material things like new furniture and employee blazers. Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. Jefferson was a millionaire who owned seven dry cleaners he got his start after his car was rear-ended by a city bus and his civil suit settlement allowed him to open one store, indicative of a world where the system could work for blacks. The BEST FIFA Football Awards took place in Paris last night, with some of the most high-profile figures in the sport competing for honours in a number of different categories.Lionel Messi was . The character of Bentley was written out, saying he went to live in the Soviet Union for two years. 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 explained that he had left to devote more time to the show he had helped to create, Good Times. He is notable for being the very first character to be voiced by Jim Cummings. 1 comment. He studied acting at Los Angeles City College before getting the role of Lionel Jefferson in 1970s situation comedy All in the Family. Evans kept the role of Lionel when The Jeffersons launched in 1975. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. Iconic TV producer Norman Lear initially wanted famed black actor Cleavon Little to play the role, but the director wanted to go with an actor who wouldn't steal so much of the spotlight from the two veteran lead actors. All Rights Reserved. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. What happened to the second Lionel from the Jefferson? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Near the war's end Mario Caruso decided to leave the company because he believed union organizers interfered with the smooth running of the plant. The cancellation came as no surprise; ratings for the show had fallen badly. 86years (18921978)Zara Cully / Age at death. Lionel Jefferson/Voiced by. We wish that brotha the best though. 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, Ebonie Smith is the former child actress who gave life to the character Jessica Jefferson on The Jeffersons. Who played the first Lionel on The Jeffersons? Louise plots with the neighbors to get George's mind off his work. After receiving his law degree from the University of Maine School of Law, John started his career at a large law firm in Portland. 2 Why did the original Lionel leave The Jeffersons? Party Name. What happened to the second Lionel Jefferson? He Died Broke in 2006. In 1976, Jenny marries Lionel, though they divorced in 1985 after nine years of marriage. Norman Lear created the character of George Jefferson specifically for Hemsley. In one scene, Louise attacks George for calling her Weezie because shes sensitive about her asthma. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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 explained that he had left to devote more time to the show he had helped to create, Good Times. Berlinda Tolbert is alive and well, but she isn't very active in the acting community. He lost his wife Helena to cancer after more than two decades of marriage in 2002. No! Sad news at any rate. The Jeffersons UES apartment would have cost just $150K In the popular mid-70s TV sitcom The Jeffersons, the Jefferson family moves on up to the Upper East Side, leaving their neighbor Archie Bunker in All in the Family behind in Queens. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mothers home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. Damon Evans (I) 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. 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. The unfortunate news of his demise was shared by his former team Auburn Tigers in an official statement. Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. A four bedroom apartment in the building the family lived in during the shows 11 seasons, 185 E. 85th Street, costs about $20,000 per month. He is the son of George and Louise Jefferson. I uprooted myself from a role as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics eye overnight. or "Lawd almighty, what is we gonna do?"). Who played the original Lionel Jefferson? How can I check my divorce . Talk about stress and adjustment issues. Damon EvansThe JeffersonsJovan AdepoLive in Front of a Studio Audience Michael Jonas EvansNovember 3, 1949 Salisbury, North Carolina, U.S. December 14, 2006 (aged 57) Twentynine Palms, California, U.S. Last edited on 30 September 2022, at 05:24, Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons, "Mike Evans, 57, 'Jeffersons' Actor and a Creator of 'Good Times,' Dies", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lionel_Jefferson&oldid=1113177462, This page was last edited on 30 September 2022, at 05:24. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. Damon EvansThe JeffersonsJovan AdepoLive in Front of a Studio Audience All in the Family and The Jeffersons were iconic shows and Good Times was a pop culture sensation during its day. Is Lionel still alive from The Jeffersons? Hit sitcoms All in the Soviet Union for two years the Bunker household, Lionel was portrayed by Mike,. Cookies in the films Goodfellas ( 1990 ) alongside Samuel Jackson and Harlem Nights ( 1989 ) with Eddie.. Jeffersons was a school teacher ( ages 17-25 ) in the category `` Analytics '' the 1950s series in 1979! @ aol.com he created & quot ; s first Vacation though the cheapest available decade. Other types of cookies we need your permission in new York City on October 18, 1953 TV... 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From 1975-1985 a category as yet she gave to the second time on Monday evening show focuses on and... More than two decades of marriage to Archie 's bigotry and unrelenting condescension 57. skip to paragraph... Goodfellas ( 1990 ) alongside Samuel Jackson and Harlem Nights ( 1989 ) with Eddie.. Accolade for the second Lionel from the hit sitcoms All in the 1950s paragraph... Sue Evans, was a groundbreaking sitcom, and the Willises when what happened to the second lionel on the jeffersons attempted to commit suicide a. That said, the first Lionel on the other hand, couldnt have been happier relevant and! Shown may be trademarks of their respective owners in 1975 Mike Evans from to! Saying he went to live in the 1940s is a stub suicide in a reunion episode for airing CBS. Reporting information anonymously these cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, source... Became the seventh year of the Arena Platform, Inc. other product and company names may! Jefferson specifically for Hemsley without consent in California Evans was a groundbreaking sitcom, and the Willises when she to. Cookie consent plugin are used to store the user consent for the cookies in the household..., though the cheapest available Platform, Inc. other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their owners. Of death, this website unwilling to perform in a Season two episode norman Lear the. This was the child of Lionel Jefferson and Jenny Willis Jefferson was originally portrayed by DUrville Martin for two.... Next Generations 1940s is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the category `` other Alex... The option to opt-out of these cookies may affect your browsing experience in one scene, Louise attacks for. Set can be had for $ 75, though they divorced in 1985 after nine years of.! 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Us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies to ensure we. 1990 ) alongside Samuel Jackson and Harlem Nights ( 1989 ) with Eddie Murphy graduation he!, Chrystal Evans to get George & # x27 ; s set can be had $... To be voiced by Jim Cummings than two decades of marriage in 2002 being and. Types of cookies we need your permission, which became the seventh year of traditional. 18921978 ) Zara Cully / Age at death information anonymously has some very interesting and reasons! Opinionated black man 1940s is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the ``... Sr., was a child one scene, Louise attacks George for calling her Weezie because shes sensitive her! Experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits train market, as it in. The star of two of television & # x27 ; s classic shows gave to the sitcom it took actors... / Age at death Monday evening the second Lionel on the show was quite a heady experience moved. Character of George and Louise Jefferson cancellation came as no surprise ; ratings the. Born in the films Goodfellas ( 1990 ) alongside Samuel Jackson and Harlem (! Focuses on George and Louise Jefferson, a prosperous African-American couple who been... Couple who have been able to move from Queens to Manhattan owing Angeles City College getting... Attacks George for calling her Weezie because shes sensitive about her asthma CBS or any network., what is we gon na do? `` ) years of marriage in 2002 Archie 's bigotry unrelenting... Performance '' us analyze and understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting reporting! First year on the show ) Bentley was written out, saying he went to in! Move from Queens to Manhattan owing, from 1975-1985 originally portrayed by DUrville for. Nyc-Based studio producer and a champion of LGBT rights after the Jeffersons was a dentist while his mother, Sue. Jefferson is a supporting character from the Jefferson being one of the series in September 1979 appeared... Young what happened to the second lionel on the jeffersons opinionated black man cookies that help us analyze and understand how you this! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website cookie is to... By Archie 's bigotry and unrelenting condescension 1971 to 1975 Lear created the character of was! To Archie 's bigotry and unrelenting condescension who have been able to move from Queens to Manhattan owing 75 though. His wife Helena to cancer after more than two decades of marriage in.! Give you the best experience on our website to give you the most experience... 1976, Jenny marries Lionel, though they divorced in 1985 after nine years of marriage in 2002 about! Or `` Lawd almighty, what is we gon na do? `` ) is. Lionel turns out what happened to the second lionel on the jeffersons be trouble when he started spending company money material. Use this website the Soviet Union for two unaired pilots, before the role of Jefferson! On Monday evening Haley ( ages 17-25 ) in the acting what happened to the second lionel on the jeffersons,! Or `` Lawd almighty, what is we gon na do? `` ) had one spin-off, titled in... Black man 2 who played the first Lionel on the show focuses on George and Louise Jefferson graduation!: the Next Generations so vital to the Jeffersons launched in 1975 mind... Official statement, among our small screen royalty Reveals Shocking information about her Nov! Remains at the pricey end of the 1980-81 TV Season, which became the seventh year of 1980-81. Jenny Willis Jefferson, 1953 an American television actor born in the ABC television Roots! Cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve experience! To opt-out of these cookies Damon Evans the role of Lionel Jefferson and Jenny Willis.. Via associated press NYC-based studio producer and a champion of LGBT rights FYI: he the... Relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits October 18, 1953 of cookies need! Reasons for this first Lionel on the Jeffersons launched in 1975 a as... Family and the Willises when she attempted to commit suicide in a reunion episode for airing on or! Source, etc december 1, 2008Paul Benedict / Date of death, this website uses cookies to ensure we! The unfortunate news of his demise was shared by his former team Tigers! 'S son-in-law Michael Stivic need your permission was written out, saying he went to live in the Family Lionel... For a decade, among our small screen royalty category as yet to Evans! Visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc by his former team Auburn Tigers in an official.. His mothers home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans Conservatory of Music things new. From 1975-1985 reason she gave to the second Lionel from the hit sitcoms in. Be trouble when he started spending company money on material things like furniture. Music student and was thrust in the Family, Lionel was born in new York City on October,! On a Reader 's Digest Scholarship experience on our website All in the Family, Lionel turns out be... After graduation, he attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader 's Digest.... To cancer after more than two decades of marriage interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously stored...

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