Role Actor | Name Mike Evans Years active 1971–1985 Siblings Thomas Evans | |
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Full Name Michael Jonas Evans Children Tammy Evans, Carlena Harris Movies and TV shows Good Times, The Jeffersons, The House on Skull Mountain, Now You See Him - Now You Similar People Berlinda Tolbert, Ralph Carter, Damon Evans, Paul Benedict, Eric Monte | ||
Michael Jonas "Mike" 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, and, with Eric Monte, co-creator of the show Good Times. Ralph Carter's character Michael Evans was named after him.
Contents
Early life
Evans was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist, and his mother, Annie Sue Evans, a teacher. He attended Palmer Memorial Institute, a private school for young black Americans in Sedalia, North Carolina just outside Greensboro. His family later moved to Los Angeles, where he graduated from Los Angeles High School. He studied acting at Los Angeles City College.
Career
Evans is best known for his recurring role as Lionel Jefferson on All in the Family and was the first and final actor to play Lionel on the spin-off The Jeffersons. He played Lionel on The Jeffersons for much of its 11-year run, with the majority of his appearances occurring from 1979 to 1981. Actor and opera singer Damon Evans (no relation to Michael) played the role from September 1975 to January 1978 on The Jeffersons, as Mike Evans was busy with the production of Good Times. He returned after Good Times ended in 1979.
As the original Lionel, his absence was noticed at a Sherman Hemsley TV Land special that aired on April 26, 2006. The other living cast members of The Jeffersons were present (with the exception of Paul Benedict), as well as Sally Struthers and the cast of Hemsley's other series Amen and Goode Behavior.
Evans played Lenny in the cast of the 1976-1977 Danny Thomas situation comedy The Practice during its second and final season.
Evans was also a real estate investor and owned properties in California's Inland Empire.
Actress Berlinda Tolbert who played Evans' wife, Jenny, on The Jeffersons is just one day younger and they were also both born in North Carolina.
Personal life and death
Evans died of throat cancer at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, California, at the age of 57. He was survived by his two daughters (Carlena and Tammie), his mother (Annie Sue), a brother, a cousin, and a niece. Evans's body was cremated. Evans never married.
Filmography
Writer
1974
Good Times (TV Series) (created by - 133 episodes)
- The Evans' Dilemma (1979) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Cousin Raymond (1979) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The End of the Rainbow (1979) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- A Matter of Mothers (1979) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Physical (1979) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Art Contest (1979) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- J.J. and T.C. (1979) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Where Have All the Doctor's Gone? (1979) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Blood Will Tell (1979) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Florida's Favorite Passenger: Part 2 (1979) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Florida's Favorite Passenger: Part 1 (1979) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- House Hunting (1979) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Traveling Christmas (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Snow Storm (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Witness (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- J.J. and the Plumber's Helper (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Michael's Decision (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- J.J. the Teacher (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Stomach Mumps (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Florida Gets a Job (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Florida's Homecoming: Part 4 (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Florida's Homecoming: Part 3 (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Florida's Homecoming: Part 2 (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Florida's Homecoming: Part 1 (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- That's Entertainment, Evans Style (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Write On, Thelma (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Willona's New Job (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Something Old, Something New (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Willona, the Other Woman (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- J.J.'s Condition (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Boarder (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- I Had a Dream (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Where There's Smoke (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- J.J. and the Boss' Daughter (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Willona's Mr. Right (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- No More Mr. Nice Guy (1978) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Penny's Christmas (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Requiem for a Wino (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Thelma's Brief Encounter (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Bye, Bye, Bookman (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Breaker, Breaker (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Wheels (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Willona, the Fuzz (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Thelma Moves Out (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Evans Get Involved: Part 4 (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Evans Get Involved: Part 3 (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Evans Get Involved: Part 2 (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Evans Get Involved: Part 1 (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Love Has a Spot On Its Lung: Part 2 (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Love Has a Spot On Its Lung: Part 1 (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- J.J. in Business (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- My Son, the Father (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Florida and Carl (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- A Stormy Relationship (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- A Friend in Need (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Willona's Surprise (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Thelma's African Romance: Part 2 (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Thelma's African Romance: Part 1 (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Hustle (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Comedian and the Loan Sharks (1977) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Judy Cohen Story (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Florida's Night Out (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Rich Is Better Than Poor- Maybe (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Grandpa's Visit (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- J.J.'s New Career: Part 2 (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- J.J.'s New Career: Part 1 (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Evans Versus Davis (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Michael's Great Romance (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Michael the Warlord (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- J.J. and the Older Woman (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Big Move: Part 2 (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Big Move: Part 1 (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Rent Party (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Break Up (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Florida the Woman (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- J.J. in Trouble (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Investigation (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Sweet Daddy Williams (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- J.J.'s Fiancée: Part 2 (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- J.J.'s Fiancée: Part 1 (1976) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- A Place to Die (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Family Tree (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Cousin Cleatus (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- A Loss of Confidence (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Mural (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Florida's Protest (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Willona's Dilemma (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Politicians (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Michael's Big Fall (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Baby (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Weekend (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Florida's Rich Cousin (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Love in the Ghetto (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Operation Florida (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Family Gun (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- A Real Cool Job (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Lunch Money Ripoff (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Thelma's Scholarship (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Enlistment (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- My Girl Henrietta (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Houseguest (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Dinner Party (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Debutante Ball (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Family Business (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Nude (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Florida Goes to School (1975) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Florida's Big Gig (1974) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Sometimes There's No Bottom in the Bottle (1974) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Windfall (1974) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Florida, the Matchmaker (1974) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- Part II: J.J. and the Gang (1974) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Gang: Part 1 (1974) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The Encyclopedia Hustle (1974) - (creator - as Michael Evans)
- The I.Q. Test (1974) - (creator)
- Thelma's Young Man (1974) - (creator)
- The Man I Most Admire (1974) - (creator)
- Crosstown Buses Run All Day, Doodah, Doodah (1974) - (creator)
- J.J. Becomes a Man: Part II: J.J. Is Arrested (1974) - (creator)
- J.J. Becomes a Man: Part I (1974) - (creator)
- Florida Flips (1974) - (creator)
- My Son, the Lover (1974) - (creator)
- The Check Up (1974) - (creator)
- The TV Commercial (1974) - (creator)
- Springtime in the Ghetto (1974) - (creator)
- The Visitor (1974) - (creator)
- Junior the Senior (1974) - (creator)
- Junior Gets a Patron (1974) - (creator)
- Sex and the Evans Family (1974) - (creator)
- Michael Gets Suspended (1974) - (creator)
- God's Business Is Good Business (1974) - (creator)
- Getting Up the Rent (1974) - (creator)
- Black Jesus (1974) - (creator)
- Too Old Blues (1974) - (creator)
Actor
1975
The Jeffersons (TV Series) as
Lionel Jefferson
- Sayonara: Part 2 (1985) - Lionel Jefferson
- Sayonara: Part 1 (1985) - Lionel Jefferson
- Blazing Jeffersons (1982) - Lionel Jefferson
- I've Got a Secret (1981) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- Louise's Father (1981) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- The Separation: Part 2 (1981) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Separation: Part 1 (1981) - Lionel Jefferson
- Florence's New Job: Part 2 (1981) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- Florence's New Job: Part 1 (1981) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- Not So Dearly Beloved (1981) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- My Hero (1981) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- Sorry, Wrong Meeting (1981) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- And the Doorknobs Shined Like Diamonds (1981) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- Alley Oops (1981) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- God Bless Americans (1981) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- As Florence Turns (1981) - Lionel Jefferson
- Calendar Girl (1981) - Lionel Jefferson
- All I Want for Christmas (1980) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- Florence's Cousin (1980) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- Put It On (1980) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Jeffersons Go to Hawaii: Part 4 (1980) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Jeffersons Go to Hawaii: Part 3 (1980) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- The Jeffersons Go to Hawaii: Part 2 (1980) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- The Jeffersons Go to Hawaii: Part 1 (1980) - Lionel Jefferson
- Marathon Men (1980) - Lionel Jefferson
- Once Upon a Time (1980) - Lionel Jefferson
- The First Store (1980) - Lionel Jefferson
- Louise Takes a Stand (1980) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Loan (1980) - Lionel Jefferson
- A Night to Remember (1980) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- George's Birthday (1980) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Longest Day (1980) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Shower (1980) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Arrival: Part 2 (1980) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Arrival: Part 1 (1980) - Lionel Jefferson
- Brother Tom (1980) - Lionel Jefferson
- Louise's Setback (1980) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- One Flew Into the Cuckoo's Nest (1980) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- Me and Mr. G (1979) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- Louise vs. Florence (1979) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- Baby Love (1979) - Lionel Jefferson
- Joltin' George (1979) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- The Expectant Father (1979) - Lionel Jefferson
- Where's Papa? (1979) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- Now You See It, Now You Don't: Part 2 (1979) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- Now You See It, Now You Don't: Part 1 (1979) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- Louise's Old Boyfriend (1979) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- A Short Story (1979) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- The Announcement (1979) - Lionel Jefferson
- Jenny's Low (1975) - Lionel Jefferson
- Like Father, Like Son? (1975) - Lionel Jefferson
- Former Neighbors (1975) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- Rich Man's Disease (1975) - Lionel Jefferson
- Meet the Press (1975) - Lionel Jefferson
- Mother Jefferson's Boyfriend (1975) - Lionel Jefferson (credit only)
- Lionel Cries Uncle (1975) - Lionel Jefferson
- George's Skeleton (1975) - Lionel Jefferson
- Mr. Piano Man (1975) - Lionel Jefferson
- Lionel the Playboy (1975) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Good Life Is Bad for Louise (1975) - Lionel Jefferson
- George's Family Tree (1975) - Lionel Jefferson
- A Friend in Need (1975) - Lionel Jefferson
1976
The Practice (TV Series) as
Lenny
- Molly and Jules (1977) - Lenny
- Jules in Jail (1977) - Lenny (credit only)
- Mulligan (1977) - Lenny
- Jules and Lenny (1977) - Lenny
- Oh, Brother (1977) - Lenny
- Jules Takes a Partner (1976) - Lenny
- Carlotta (1976) - Lenny
- A Doctor's Doctor (1976) - Lenny
- The Snow Job (1976) - Lenny
- It's All in the Head (1976) - Lenny
- Judy Sinclair (1976) - Lenny
- Helen's Beau (1976) - Lenny
- The Dream (1976) - Lenny
1976
Rich Man, Poor Man (TV Mini Series) as
Arnold Simms
- Part II: Chapters 3 and 4 (1976) - Arnold Simms (uncredited)
- Part I: Chapters 1 and 2 (1976) - Arnold Simms
1975
Far Out Space Nuts (TV Series)
- Galaxy's Greatest Athlete (1975)
1971
All in the Family (TV Series) as
Lionel Jefferson / Lionel
- Mike Makes His Move (1975) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Jeffersons Move on Up (1975) - Lionel
- George and Archie Make a Deal (1974) - Lionel
- Lionel, the Live-In (1974) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Bunkers and Inflation: Part 1 (1974) - Lionel Jefferson
- Lionel's Engagement (1974) - Lionel Jefferson
- Archie Feels Left Out (1974) - Lionel Jefferson
- Second Honeymoon (1973) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Games Bunkers Play (1973) - Lionel Jefferson
- Henry's Farewell (1973) - Lionel Jefferson
- Gloria the Victim (1973) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Hot Watch (1973) - Lionel Jefferson
- Archie Goes Too Far (1973) - Lionel Jefferson
- Archie in the Hospital (1973) - Lionel Jefferson
- Flashback - Mike and Gloria's Wedding: Part 2 (1972) - Lionel Jefferson
- Lionel Steps Out (1972) - Lionel Jefferson
- Archie and the Editorial (1972) - Lionel Jefferson
- Sammy's Visit (1972) - Lionel Jefferson
- Archie and the F.B.I. (1972) - Lionel Jefferson
- Christmas Day at the Bunkers' (1971) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Man in the Street (1971) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Blockbuster (1971) - Lionel Jefferson
- The Election Story (1971) - Lionel Jefferson
- Edith Writes a Song (1971) - Lionel Jefferson
- Archie in the Lock-Up (1971) - Lionel Jefferson
- Gloria Poses in the Nude (1971) - Lionel Jefferson
- The First and Last Supper (1971) - Lionel Jefferson
- Gloria Discovers Women's Lib (1971) - Lionel Jefferson
- Lionel Moves Into the Neighborhood (1971) - Lionel Jefferson (uncredited)
- Gloria Has a Belly Full (1971) - Lionel Jefferson
- Archie Gives Blood (1971) - Lionel Jefferson
- Archie's Aching Back (1971) - Lionel Jefferson
- Meet the Bunkers (1971) - Lionel Jefferson
1974
The Streets of San Francisco (TV Series) as
Paul Hudson
- For Good or Evil (1974) - Paul Hudson
1974
The House on Skull Mountain as
Phillippe Wilette
1973
Voyage of the Yes (TV Movie) as
Orlando B. Parker
1972
Love, American Style (TV Series) as
Jerome Wilson (segment "Love and the Perfect Wedding")
- Love and the Clinic/Love and the Perfect Wedding/Love and the President/Love and the Return of Raymond (1972) - Jerome Wilson (segment "Love and the Perfect Wedding") (as Michael Evans)
1972
Now You See Him, Now You Don't as
Henry Fathington
1972
Call Her Mom (TV Movie) as
Wilson (as Mike Jonas Evans)
1972
Killer by Night (TV Movie) as
Marley
Soundtrack
1972
All in the Family (TV Series) (performer - 2 episodes)
- Archie Feels Left Out (1974) - (performer: "Happy Birthday to You" - uncredited)
- Sammy's Visit (1972) - (performer: "Battle Hymn Of The Republic")
1973
Voyage of the Yes (TV Movie) (performer: "El Condor Pasa")
Self
1980
All-Star Family Feud Special (TV Series) as
Self - Celebrity Contestant
- City vs. Country Special: Dallas Vs, It's a Living, Jeffersons vs. Dukes of Hazzard (1980) - Self - Celebrity Contestant
1977
The Richard Pryor Special? (TV Special) as
Writer
1976
Celebrity Bowling (TV Series) as
Self
- Show #144 (1976) - Self (as Michael Evans)
- Robert Culp & Sammy Davis, Jr. vs. Mike Evans & Dick Martin (1976) - Self (as Michael Evans)
1975
Dinah! (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #3.37 (1976) - Self
- Episode #1.95 (1975) - Self
- Episode #1.70 (1975) - Self
- Episode #1.67 (1975) - Self
- Episode #1.46 (1975) - Self
1974
Match Game (TV Series) as
Self - Panelist
- Episode #2.216 (1974) - Self - Panelist
- Episode #2.215 (1974) - Self - Panelist
- Episode #2.214 (1974) - Self - Panelist
- Episode #2.213 (1974) - Self - Panelist
- Episode #2.212 (1974) - Self - Panelist
1974
The Hollywood Squares (Daytime) (TV Series) as
Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 3 June 1974 (1974) - Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 5 April 1974 (1974) - Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 4 April 1974 (1974) - Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 3 April 1974 (1974) - Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 2 April 1974 (1974) - Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 1 April 1974 (1974) - Self - Panelist
1974
Baffle (TV Series) as
Self
- Robert Reed, Karen Valentine, Mike Evans and Nanette Fabray (1974) - Self
- Robert Reed, Karen Valentine, Mike Evans and Nanette Fabray (1974) - Self
1971
The Merv Griffin Show (TV Series) as
Self
- All in the Family (1971) - Self
Archive Footage
2021
History of the Sitcom (TV Series documentary) as
Lionel Jefferson
- Facing Race (2021) - Lionel Jefferson
2014
Pioneers of Television (TV Series documentary) as
Lionel Jefferson - All in the Family
- Breaking Barriers (2014) - Lionel Jefferson - All in the Family
2007
The 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV Special) as
Self - In Memoriam
2007
13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (TV Special) as
Self - In Memoriam
1988
Television (TV Series documentary) as
Lionel Jefferson
- Comedy (1988) - Lionel Jefferson
1975
The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) as
Henry Fathington
- Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1975) - Henry Fathington
References
Mike Evans (actor) Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA