‘THE JEFFERSONS’ ACTOR & CO-CREATOR OF ‘GOOD TIMES’ MIKE EVANS DIES AT 57
Friday, December 22, 2006
Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother’s home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans.
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.
Evans kept the role of Lionel when “The Jeffersons” launched in 1975. The hit show was a spinoff featuring bigoted Archie Bunker’s black neighbours in Queens who “move on up to the East Side” of Manhattan.
Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981.
————————
That’s the only picture I could find of him. It was taken back in 1972 on the set of “All in the Family.”
Rest in Peace..







96 Comments
COMMENT PAGES: [1] 2 » Show All
1.
jscene
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
oh no! I loved this lionel! Dammit.
2.
Jefferson Catlyn
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
omg dats like my name (real name)
soooooo strange
newyz i havent seen much of those shows being british
but thats so yung
3.
Natural Mystic
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
OMG–Just last week I watched an episode of the Jeffersons and wondered whatever happened to him. He was really handsome and a great actor on that show. I always wondered why he was replaced by that other guy. RIP.
4.
ms_mac1
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
I liked this LIONEL so much better than his replacement. I didn’t even know he co-created Good Times! Wow. Talented brother. I wish him peace.
5.
Cookie
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
I liked this Lionel better than the replacement also RIP!
6.
kiki
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
R.I.P
7.
blk dds
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
WTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RIP
8.
blk dds
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
December 14th?
Damn Angel La………lol
9.
carmelcutie
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
Say it ain’t so? What a shame!
10.
NativeMoon
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
Very talented man indeed - I had no idea he was one of the creators of Good Times… R.I.P.
11.
NativeMoon
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
Very talented man indeed - I had no idea he was one of the creators of Good Times… And he died too young… R.I.P.
12.
She luvz da 90s
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
WHat, this is krazy. Every day we wake up to horrible news. RIP.
13.
H-Town Chic*
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
So sad that he died so young
RIP
14.
keisheloca
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
RIP. thats really sad
15.
1NubianQueen
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
ALL DAMN HERE WE GO AGAIN! I like this Lionel much better than his replacement. As much as I watch and love good times on dvd, I never knew this was the Mike Evans who co-wrote Good Times. WOW! May God Bless his family and may he R.I.P!
16.
Asentha
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
Very sad. RIP.
I liked him as Lionel much better than his replacement. Man, most of the original cast members of “The Jefferson’s” have passed on. Sad.
17.
q_tis_diva
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
RIP
18.
miss thang
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
I was just watching All in the Family today and he was on there. And I have the Jeffersons on DVD. I liked him as Lionel the best. God bless his family.
19.
miss thang
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
Mike Evans left the Jeffersons to work on Good Times and once Good Times ended in 1979 he came back to the Jeffersons
20.
TooThru
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
Wow, I didn’t know he was the Mike Evans that was behind Good Times. RIP.
21.
Bgash
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
I’m sorry to hear about his death. He has been on the low for a while, but he did some great work while he was around. The Jefferons and Good Times are two of my favorite shows.
But I’m wondering what ever happened to Berlinda Tolbert, the woman who played his girlfried/wife (Jenny) on the show. She was looking good back in the day.
22.
ohsoluvlee1
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
This just goes to show that you never know what is going on behind the scenes of some of these shows… Like a lot of others I had no Idea that he was involved in the creation of Good Times. I loved his character too and I am very sad to hear of his passing. My condolences go out to his family.
23.
PRETTY B
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
SORRY TO HEAR THIS, RIP.
24.
BashyBoo
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
jscene said:
oh no! I loved this lionel! Dammit.
LMAOOOO JSCENE U ARE TOO FUNNY, I WAS THINKING THAT TOO CUS THAT OTHER LIONEL WAS A HOT POOKIE/EDDIE CANE(FIVE HEARTBEATS)MESS!!
#2 THAT’S SCARY
HE WASN’T BROKE THOUGH, HE MADE ALL THESE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT DEALS SO HE WAS STR8 AND HE WAS ON AN EPISODE OF WALKER TEXAS RANGER BACK IN 2000…
25.
Frank waters
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
You notice how many sitcom actors from the 70’s are gone, especially Black ones? It’s a shame. R.I.P.
26.
uptowngirl
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
My condolences to his family and friends. R.I.P
27.
mack
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
my condolences go out to his family also. its seems like everybody liked his version of “lionel” the best! R.I.P.
28.
Queshia
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
condolences to his family.
29.
sharonda
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
@ natural yeah i be watching the jeffersons at night and i can’t help but to wonder where they all at .rip brother!!!
30.
Sexysistah
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
He really was the better lionel…his replacement looked too “how u doin?” lol!!!
every time i watched good times and would see the name mike evans i always wondered if it was him..
i don’t there are many characters left except sherman hemsley and marla gibbs..
isabell sanford(louise)
roxie roker(helen)
ralph the doorman
zara cully(mother jefferson)
i’m not sure about tom willis and mr bentley..but the ones i mentioned have all passed away
much love and prayers to the evans family
31.
NYC
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
He was young, that’s sad.
I always thought he was so handsome too.
32.
Beautiful
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
God Bess his family and friends
Rest in peace Mike Evans
33.
Jazzy Jayy
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
R.I.P. God Bless his family during these hard times.
34.
Kitten
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
awww my man Lionel nahhhhhh he was my favorite besides George and Weezy he was my favorite Lionel on the show R.I.P brother!
35.
SassyTeri
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
#30 Franklin Cover (Tom Willis) died too.
36.
Kim
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
This was the Lionel that I liked. I hated the guy that replaced him and I was so happy when he came back. This is sad. RIP.
BTW…I didn’t know he co-created Good Times.
37.
Drama Queen
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
Rest in peace brother. Thank
s for helping create “Good Times” hands down one of the best black family sitcoms EVER!
38.
Nikki
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
Sad to see him go. Rest in Peace.
39.
moxpoe1
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
damn……..RIP.
40.
R&B Fan 4 Life
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
RIP.
41.
Clearminded
Friday, December 22, 2006 /
I watch Jeffersons reruns at least a few times a week — my favorite sitcom of all time. And he was my favorite Lionel, by far. 57 is young to die. RIP.
42.
PrettyYoungThang
Saturday, December 23, 2006 /
Nothing gold can stay…I hope he knew the Lord.
43.
kindanice
Saturday, December 23, 2006 /
Homie gave us a lot of laughs. RIP. Gone 2 soon.
kind.
44.
Chellybop
Saturday, December 23, 2006 /
May he rest in peace.
I wanna say this man desrves his damn props for helping 2 create one of the BEST Black shows EVER Good Times, and also for starring in another one of the BEST Black shows “The Jeffersons”.
Both are my personal faves…
45.
sexii_chick08
Saturday, December 23, 2006 /
Awww….R.I.P, you’ll be forever missed & in our hearts.
Sincerely,
Miracle
46.
tianni
Saturday, December 23, 2006 /
AWWWWWWW. This is so sad. My condolences and deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends of this ACTOR.
I loved him as LIONEL on the JEFFERSONS & ALL IN THE FAMILY.
I always thought he was the better actor as the role of LIONEL. I dont like the episodes with the FAKE LIONEL.
LOL.
47.
qtfromok
Saturday, December 23, 2006 /
Awwh that’s my favorite Lionel also. May God be with his family.
48.
jscene
Saturday, December 23, 2006 /
@24 bashyboo
Yep, i didn’t mean to say it like that, but i like this lionel so much better. He was so cool and laid back. The other lionel seemed like he had ADD but back then there was no for it. He was all over the damn place, and never seemed to quite fit in. I use to say, that’s not George’s boy! But when the original lionel came back, i was like “now that’s George’s boy!
49.
AngelEyes2
Saturday, December 23, 2006 /
This is so sad for his family. GOD bless them.
50.
Regina
Sunday, December 24, 2006 /
R.I.P. Mike Evans and GOD BLESS.
51.
Al
Sunday, December 24, 2006 /
I really didi like him better than the opther Lionel. He was an impressive actor.
PS: To # 21: I believe Berlinda Tolbert still acts. I’ve seen her in a low budget movie or two in the 90’s and SHe guest starred in an episode of E/R last seqason or the season before. She’s older, but she still looks good.
52.
Al
Sunday, December 24, 2006 /
I really didi like him better than the opther Lionel. He was an impressive actor. I used to love when he argued with Archie Bunker.
PS: To # 21: I believe Berlinda Tolbert still acts. I’ve seen her in a low budget movie or two in the 90’s and SHe guest starred in an episode of E/R last seqason or the season before. She’s older, but she still looks good.
53.
Syn
Tuesday, December 26, 2006 /
Helloooooo……This is not the original Lionel, I luv this site but at least keep the pics and info accurate…if we dont who will.
54.
reverberates
Tuesday, December 26, 2006 /
R.I.P.
55.
Jackie Smith
Tuesday, December 26, 2006 /
I liked him much better than his replacement. I hate to see him go at such a young age. He was very handsome. I’m praying for his family. I can’t locate a recent picture of him.
56.
StarLite StarBrite
Wednesday, December 27, 2006 /
Ohh, that brotha was so fine and such a superb actor. I’ll miss him.
R.I.P. Boo (& Jimmy Brown too)
57.
Perfectly Imperfect
Thursday, December 28, 2006 /
God bless him and his family
58.
Lisa
Friday, December 29, 2006 /
I liked both Lionels, but the dark skinned Lionel was my favorite. I actually thought the dark skinned Lionel was the original one. At any rate, I thought both of the brothers were good actors.
I pray he knew the Lord. In that case, he is in a better place.
RIP
59.
EHIEK
Friday, December 29, 2006 /
RIP
60.
Shalice
Saturday, December 30, 2006 /
Out of the two Lionels, I liked this one the best. RIP
61.
tianni
Sunday, December 31, 2006 /
#53
HELLLLOOOOO yourself! This is to the original actor to play LIONEL (the son of the JEFFERSONS) not only on the JEFFERSONS but he made his first appearance on ALL IN THE FAMILY as their son LIONEL (before THE JEFFERSONS came out with their own show).
This SITE does not need to get its FACTS STRAIGHT you need to get your HEAD STRAIGHT, & get together your facts.
CMON NOW. (folks coming on here with facts based on CABLE RE-RUNS of the shows because they are too young to remember ro likely wasn’t even BORN when the shows were originally run). TRYING to state FACTS.
LOL!
62.
B
Sunday, January 28, 2007 /
I as many did love this lionel from All in the Family w/Archie & to the Jeffersons. What day did he pass away, was it today. I am deeply sadden by this & I as many other had not a clue that he worked as co creator of Good Times. Two of the best black sitcoms that I truly enjoyed & 2come i think.
To the family, may God be w/u & that Lionel RIP. Has been missed & now truly a lost. I agree, seems hes gone 2soon
63.
B
Sunday, January 28, 2007 /
DID ANYONE EVER THINK, SINCE MIKE EVANS WAS THE CO CREATOR OF GOOD TIMES, MAYBE THATS WHY THE FAMILY NAMES WAS EVANS ON GOOD TIMES. HOW BOUT THAT.
64.
B
Sunday, January 28, 2007 /
NVR MIND GUYS IVE FOUND THAT HE DIED DEC 22, 06.
65.
Jeanie Randle
Monday, January 29, 2007 /
I was very sorry to hear abut the death of this wonderful and outgoing actor. I did not realize that he co-wrote and created Good Times. I now know where the name Michael Evans (a charactor on the show) came from. That was very creative. Rest in peace, and thanks for the laughter.
Jeanie Randle
66.
anonymous
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 /
rip to mke evans you will always be missed may god be with you forever
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Phillyjawn
Monday, April 30, 2007 /
damn damn ddddddamn!!!
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