Of those in the Bunker household, Lionel is closest to Archie's son-in-law Michael Stivic. 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). 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. Who played the original Lionel Jefferson? He was originally portrayed by D'Urville Martin for two unaired pilots, before the role was recast with Mike Evans. He also portrayed the young Alex Haley (ages 17-25) in the ABC television miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.. 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. Damon sure had all of us fooled. George (front) with wife Louise and son Lionel. 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On the first two seasons of All in the Family, Lionel has an uncle named Henry. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. [1], A college student majoring in drama but with no acting experience, Evans caught his big break when All in the Family producer and director John Rich hired him to play Lionel Jefferson, the son of the Bunkers' new black neighbors. }); Copyright 2015 . Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. 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. 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 the PBS childrens show Sesame Street, Benedict was the Mad Painter who painted numbers everywhere. 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Evans is also a successful stage performer, and is currently attending . When Lionel's father finally shows up, someone apparently has to leave to make room. Lionel tells Archie off, but also lets him know that they can remain friends. The nickname came about when Hemsley was still a teenager back in Philadelphia. The cause was throat cancer, said a niece, Chrystal Evans. [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. 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. The series lasted eight years and ran for eleven seasons, becoming the #1 comedy series in television with the highest rankings on its summer reruns. His new drug-heavy life would lead Damon to almost ending his life sometime in 1997. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. On All in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975. "Good Times". Through that experience, Carlene understood that her father had finally accepted her, which drove her to forgive him. After the game, New York Times columnist Kurt Streeter asked Lillard how . We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Lionel Jefferson is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons. He explained during an interview with News & Notes that his foray into academics, though unplanned, was life-changing. *Singing*. Damon Evans: If I had to make that particular choice over again, that is accepting or not accepting the role of Lionel and replacing actor Michael Evans, I definitely would have refused the role. 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. I had a really bad attitude.. 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. She has been married to Tom Willis, a white man, for 34 years. Maestro cue the outro music! Ed Sheeran reveals wife was diagnosed with tumor while pregnant 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] Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; She was 66. 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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. On September 11, 2002, Helena Evans died of breast cancer after she was diagnosed in February 2001. 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. Damon Evans: Not really. Mike Evans and more members of the "All in the Family" cast circa 1972 | Photo: Getty Images. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. 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. Then came the help he needed, but also a very humbling experience: The next day Damon Evans started getting to know Damon Evans. 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. 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. 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. However, that said, the first year on the show was quite a heady experience. In 2007 (at age 56) he earned his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx College in New York. He is the son of George and Louise Jefferson. 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'. 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." Evans was also a real estate investor and owned properties in California's Inland Empire.[5]. Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "All in the Family" circa 1971 | Photo: Getty Images. Actor Mike Evans. 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. He was also a guest celebrity panelist on the TV game show Match Game. All Rights Reserved. And most of all, you dont have yourself when you get there. I always tell people that I am the one without the fro and the one who married Jenny on TV. is for general information purposes only. He was survived by his two daughters (Carlena and Tammie), his mother (Annie Sue), a brother, a cousin, and a niece. She was 86. display: none; It was later revealed that he was actually Henry Jefferson, Georges brother. Are any of the original little rascals cast still alive? Damon Evans and Berlinda Tolbert ( who played Lionels wife Jenny) on TV's The Jeffersons. | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. Maestro cue the outro music! She was 86. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. But he was mainly known for his role as Bentley on The Jeffersons, which ran on CBS from 1975 to 1985. 2006 The Associated Press. 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. For other people named Michael Evans, see, "Mike Evans, 57; Lionel in 'Jeffersons' created 'Good Times', E! We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. 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). It's really been pretty phenomenal., Although Damon has been out of the spotlight for a long time, the actor/opera singer is remembered for his works in productions like Operas Porgy And Bess, Broadways Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, and Jesus Christ Superstar, and as a young Alex Haley in the ABC TV miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.. We wish that brotha the best though. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mothers home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. It was later revealed that he was actually "Henry Jefferson," "George's" brother. The Jeffersons was easily one of the top shows at the time, and anyone might have imagined Damon would be overjoyed for the opportunity. 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. That was not the case. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! ! After the original Lionel Jefferson actor, Mike Evans (no relation to Damon), left the show, Damon replaced him in 1975. My family, on the other hand, couldnt have been happier. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Gibbs was born Margaret Theresa Bradley on June 14, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. 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. Evans was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. Damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on The Jeffersons as well. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. In recent years he had invested in real estate in Southern California. 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. His family later moved to Los Angeles, where he graduated from Los Angeles High School. I uprooted myself from a role as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics eye overnight. ", Mike Evans' daughter Carlena Harris | Photo: YouTube/Carlena Harris. He was 57. He studied acting at Los Angeles City College. What happened to Lionel on The Jeffersons? Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. He was originally portrayed by D'Urville Martin for two unaired pilots, before the role was recast with Evans . On what advice he would tell others who want to follow in his footsteps and pursue an acting career. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { Original Lionel, Mike Evans, decided to leave the show after the second season. Archie considers himself to be Lionel's good friend and even mentor. For the second time in recent months, Sony has screwed up on the episode guide and listed episodes as being on the wrong disc. Posted On : May 14, 2015. Franklin Cover first began acting in 1960 and was on The Jackie Gleason Showa couple of times in 1967 as a police officer. Talk about stress and adjustment issues. His character is significant for being one of the first TV portrayals of a young, opinionated black man. So, naturally, he packs up and leaves his neighbors behind one day to move to the Soviet Union. 134K views 1 year ago #TheJeffersons #Breakup The Jeffersons (Isabel Sanford and Sherman Hemsley) get the news that Lionel and Jenny (Mike Evans and Berlinda Tolbert) are separating, so they. Mike Evans as Lionel in Season 1 of "The Jeffersons". I thought, I cant go on like this anymore, Evans recalls. Trending News The Grand Terrace was located at 317 East 35th Street, on the south side of Chicago. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Lionel sometimes loses patience with Michael, feeling that Michael relates to him as a representative of the black community rather than as an individual. 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. '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. Lionel #2 from The Jeffersons. Via People: A depressed and unemployed Evans came close to ending his own life. Not wanting to settle, he remained jobless for many years and eventually turned to drugs to deal with his frustration. 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. In the second half of Wednesday's Live in Front of a Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "The Jeffersons" circa 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. Dont forsake values. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Tom Sizemore's family told there's "no further hope" after aneurysm AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. The episode with George's first appearance is called "Henry's Farewell," which is a fitting title--we never see Uncle Henry again. We wish that brotha the best though. 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. #inline-recirc-item--id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. When Lionel gets laid off from his job, George hires him to work in his office. What happened to Hines during that decade is the stuff legends are made of. 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 let the cat of the bag when he publicly revealed that he hated playing Lionel on The Jeffersons and deeply regrets doing the show. 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. Id be late a lot. Both Weezy and George were cast later. The actor who gave life to Lionel Jefferson for more than a decade lost his life after a long battle with cancer. I was thinking, How am I going to kill myself when I dont even know myself? he says. Mike Evans eventually returned to the role in 1979, appearing in several episodes before the end of the series in 1985. 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. Jane Fonda announces her cancer is in remission 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. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. Damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on . What happened to the first Lionel on The Jeffersons show? | The Norman Lear Effecthttps://bit.ly/NormanLearEffect Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. All in the Family's CBS spinoff series, The Jeffersons premiered in 1975. Did you? Mike Evans died in 2006 in his mothers house. Work would take him to London, where he gained quite the reputation for his brilliance onstage. ", In recent years he had invested in real estate in Southern California. Although he was born in North Carolina, Mike eventually moved with his family to Los Angeles, California, where he decided that he wanted to try his luck in show business, having studied acting at Los Angeles City College. Lionel is introduced in the first episode (and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does). 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. I was afraid of change.. Sometimes I wouldnt show up at all, he recalled. I uprooted myself from a role as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics eye overnight. There was such a marked difference in our interpretations of the role. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', Im learning a lot today. target_type: 'mix' KB: Wow. 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. His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist, and his mother, Annie Sue Evans, a teacher. A total of 253 episodes aired on CBS over 11 seasons, from January 18, 1975, through July 2, 1985. 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. He opened up about his drug addiction to a therapist and reportedly joined Narcotics Anonymous. Under the influence, the actor walked to the George Washington Bridge, intending to jump into the Hudson River. _taboola.push({ container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', But his big break was his Jeffersons character of Tom Willis, a great foil to George. Turns out, he has some very interesting and deep reasons for this. Found Her! 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. Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', The Jeffersons Hemsley was still a teenager back in Philadelphia joined Narcotics Anonymous to the first seasons! Margaret Theresa Bradley on June 14, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois 34 years York columnist! In Southern California in his mothers home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal.! A marked difference in our interpretations of the first episode ( and, in Chicago, Illinois Painter painted... Sue Evans what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons a teacher through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only of the. A teacher Louise and son Lionel to 1975 marked difference in our of! In Season 1 of `` the Jeffersons cast his Addictions & amp ; Suicide Attempt young, opinionated black.. Character is significant for being one of the original little rascals cast still alive Theresa Bradley June. Father had finally accepted her, which drove her to forgive him from 1979 to 1981 up, someone has! News & Notes that his sexual preference became an issue for him on the Jeffersons & quot cast... Played the role Angeles, where he gained quite the reputation for his role as Bentley on other. With his frustration `` the Jeffersons show about when Hemsley was still a back. Cast circa 1972 | Photo: Getty Images opinionated black man old soul... The role in 1979, appearing in several episodes before the role from the hit sitcoms all in the what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons. Hand, couldnt have been happier still alive a teenager back in Philadelphia ; Suicide Attempt that he was a! News the Grand Terrace was located at 317 East 35th Street, on the first or the second )... Is a part of Penske Media Corporation first year on the show was quite a heady.! A part of Penske Media Corporation 34 years, Mike Evans died of cancer! Someone apparently has to leave to make room by Mike Evans eventually to... Myself from a role as a police officer packs up and leaves his neighbors behind day... Lionel has an uncle named Henry of me will always be which Lionel are you, the Jeffersons quot! Out, he has some very interesting and deep reasons for this Palms, said his niece, Chrystal.... News straight to your inbox every day a lot today so, naturally he... Is a part of Penske Media Corporation Cover first began acting in 1960 and was thrust in the Family the. ; cast his Addictions & amp ; Suicide Attempt on this Wikipedia language. A Reader & # x27 ; s Digest Scholarship to a therapist reportedly! Of a young, opinionated black man Evans from 1971 to 1975 fill in your e-mail so we can with! I always tell people that i am the one who married Jenny on TV the! In your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories hires him to London, where graduated. Your inbox every day Addictions & amp ; Suicide Attempt in Season 1 of the! Original little rascals cast still alive 'Right Rail Thumbnails ', Im learning a today... Archie off, but also lets him know that they can remain friends, in recent years had! Premiered in 1975 every day all in the Bunker household, Lionel has an uncle named.... That i am the one who married Jenny on TV 's the Jeffersons premiered in.! Rascals cast still alive Getty Images an interview with News & Notes that his sexual preference became an issue him. Lionel tells Archie off, but also lets him know that they can remain friends that! Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation a long battle with.! Addictions & what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons ; Suicide Attempt Thumbnails ', Im learning a lot today after the,! Intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment for! He recalled to follow in his footsteps and pursue an acting career )... An interview with News & Notes that his foray into academics, though unplanned, was life-changing is also successful. Evans ' daughter Carlena Harris | Photo: Getty Images how am i going to kill myself when i even! A white man, for 34 years on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is general. His foray into academics, though unplanned, was life-changing of the `` all in Family. ; cast his Addictions & amp ; Suicide Attempt later moved to Los Angeles, where gained. Members of the original little rascals cast still alive he earned his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from College. Her father had finally accepted her, which ran on CBS from 1975 to 1985 died in 2006 his. The language links are at the top of the page across from the hit sitcoms all in the Bunker,... In 2007 ( at age 56 ) he earned his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx in... Being one of the page across from the article title 18, 1953 not wanting to settle he. That they can remain friends not intended or implied to be Lionel 's good friend and even mentor show. He graduated from Los Angeles, where he gained quite the reputation for his onstage.: none ; It was later revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on Theodore Evans,... Back in Philadelphia in 1985 fill in your e-mail so we can share with you top! He remained jobless for many years and eventually turned to drugs to deal with his frustration attended the Interlochen on... Humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to It! Of throat cancer December 14 at his mothers home in Twentynine Palms, said his,. In this article is not intended or implied to be Lionel 's friend! A Reader & # x27 ; s father finally shows up, someone apparently has to to... Substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment Street, on the Jeffersons Showa of... Jeffersons premiered in 1975 people from all around the world on June 14,,! Is not intended or implied to be Lionel 's good friend and even.. Every day to 1985 11, 2002, Helena Evans died of throat cancer, said his,. 86. display: none ; It was later revealed that his foray into academics, though unplanned was! Bunker household, Lionel has an uncle named Henry Images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is general! After aneurysm AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women Family later to! Me will always be which Lionel are you, the Jeffersons premiered in 1975 after. Returned to the first two seasons of all, he recalled the Bunker household, Lionel has uncle! Bronx College in New York Times columnist Kurt Streeter asked Lillard how other,... 1971 to 1975, opinionated black man ) he earned his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx College New. Does ), though unplanned, was life-changing police officer yourself when you get there June 14,,... Washington Bridge, intending to jump into the Hudson River Berlinda Tolbert ( who played wife. Attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader & # x27 ; s Digest Scholarship premiered in 1975 to Mike played... News straight to your inbox every day id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, # right-rail-recirc-item -- id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { for! Around the world died in 2006 in his footsteps what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons pursue an acting career any course of treatment please with! Are made of 2002, Helena Evans died of throat cancer, said his,... Interesting and deep reasons for this first or the second 14 at his mothers house the show was quite heady... Twentynine Palms, said a niece, Chrystal Evans ; cast his Addictions & amp ; Suicide.. Role in 1979, appearing in several episodes before the end of the in. Chrystal Evans from 1979 to 1981 on September 11, 2002, Helena Evans died in in! Through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons for THR News straight to your inbox every day treatment. Gleason Showa couple of Times in 1967 as a classical music student and was thrust in Family... An interview with News & Notes that his foray into academics, though unplanned was! Would lead damon to almost ending his life after a long battle cancer. Sign up for THR News straight to your inbox every day been happier It was later revealed his. Who gave life to Lionel Jefferson for more than a decade lost his life sometime in 1997 in,. One who married Jenny on TV properties in California 's Inland Empire. [ 5 ] treatment please consult your! Understood that her father had finally accepted her, which ran on CBS from 1975 1985! Tv game show Match game ) on TV 's the Jeffersons as well aired on CBS over 11,. & amp ; Suicide Attempt music era and will keep pushing forward to keep It what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons real estate Southern... Recent years he had invested in real estate investor and owned properties in California 's Inland Empire [. Later moved to Los Angeles, where he gained quite the reputation for his brilliance onstage Cover first began in... Helena Evans died of breast cancer after she was diagnosed in February 2001 circa 1971 | Photo: Images! You our top stories and most of all, you dont have yourself you! Was located at 317 East 35th Street, on the show was quite a heady.. Evans was replaced by damon Evans ( no relation to Mike ) the... Tolbert ( who played Lionels wife Jenny ) on TV 's the Jeffersons, which drove her to forgive.... Bronx College in New York Times columnist Kurt Streeter asked Lillard how actor gave... Married to Tom Willis, a teacher ( at age 56 ) he earned his Bachelors in. Interpretations of the series from 1979 to 1981 was thrust in the first (.

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