On the first two seasons of All in the Family, Lionel has an uncle named Henry. (FYI: He is not related to Mike Evans, who played the first Lionel on the show). Mike Evans returned to the series in September 1979 and appeared regularly as Lionel for two more seasons. Lionel #2 from The Jeffersons. Lionel tells Archie off, but also lets him know that they can remain friends. It achieved the record of having topped the Nielsen ratings for five consecutive years. To get her attention, he called her Weezy, and it stuck. To this very day, I dont think they have a clue as to who I really am, and thats there loss. What happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons? Are any of the original little rascals cast still alive? We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. I just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes. 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. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. However, his personal life was not as good as one would believe, especially when it came to his daughter, Carlena Harris. display: block; 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. Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. 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." Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. His character is significant for being one of the first TV portrayals of a young, opinionated black man. He opened up about his drug addiction to a therapist and reportedly joined Narcotics Anonymous. 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, titled The Jeffersons. Unfortunately, that didn't make their relationship any better. On All in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975. } 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. There was such a marked difference in our interpretations of the role. He was 57. display: none; Damon Evans and Berlinda Tolbert ( who played Lionels wife Jenny) on TV's The Jeffersons. | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. I didnt have any pride.. Who played the original Lionel Jefferson? Evans was a creator/writer of the series Good Times (197479).[4]. In a prior People Magazine article, Damon explained how his lack of jobs, led to depression, then to years of drug addiction. ! After the original Lionel Jefferson actor, Mike Evans (no relation to Damon), left the show, Damon replaced him in 1975. | The Norman Lear Effecthttps://bit.ly/NormanLearEffect does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on . The actor who gave life to Lionel Jefferson for more than a decade lost his life after a long battle with cancer. He was 57. Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. In recent years he had invested in real estate in Southern California. Trending News Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. Lionel is introduced in the first episode (and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does). On the show, Bentleys disappearance is explained away like this: Bentley works as a Russian interpreter for the United Nations. Because once you get there youll find out that there is no there there. #inline-recirc-item--id-9e2ec6fa-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { 22 (AP) Mike Evans, an actor best known for playing Lionel Jefferson on the 1970s sitcom All in the Family and its popular spinoff The Jeffersons, died at his mothers home here on Dec. 14. 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. Lionel Jefferson is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons. 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 revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on The Jeffersons as well. We wish that brotha the best though. Original Lionel, Mike Evans, decided to leave the show after the second season. Actor Mike Evans. 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. What happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons? Turns out, he has some very interesting and deep reasons for this. I just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes. 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. He was not a crucial part of the show by any means, but he was still considered to be an important member of the cast. I had a really bad attitude.. I uprooted myself from a role as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics eye overnight. 2006 The Associated Press. And to be quite honest, I didnt have a direction when I went there. 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. He explained during an interview with News & Notes that his foray into academics, though unplanned, was life-changing. Getting high was all that matteredI didnt have any pride, Evans admitted. TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Show developer Norman Lear preferred Cleavon Little for the role, but Rich lobbied to cast an actor who would appear less threatening. Actor Mike Evans, who played Lionel Jefferson in the television comedy series All in the Family and The Jeffersons, has died. Both Weezy and George were cast later. 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. *Singing*. His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist, and his mother, Annie Sue Evans, a teacher. In 1975, a spin-off of the series titled "The Jeffersons" was created, and Mike kept on portraying Lionel. 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). Today Damon Evans is 72 years young and has made great strides in his life. Biography. Sometimes, that is still not enough for some people to differentiate us apart. He was also a guest celebrity panelist on the TV game show Match Game. The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child. 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).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. Talk about stress and adjustment issues. The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child. He was 57. I guess you can say that we all learn something new everyday, dont we? Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "The Jeffersons" circa 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. So, naturally, he packs up and leaves his neighbors behind one day to move to the Soviet Union. I always tell people that I am the one without the fro and the one who married Jenny on TV. To be quite honest, I didn't have a direction when I went there. Not wanting to settle, he remained jobless for many years and eventually turned to drugs to deal with his frustration. As Lionel's parents and uncle Henry appear more frequently, Lionel's role becomes less significant. Talk about stress and adjustment issues., In a 2001 PEOPLE interview, the actor further revealed that his dissatisfaction caused him to act out. Evans appeared infrequently after that, and made his final appearance as Lionel in the two-part episode "Sayonara" in 1985. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', But he was mainly known for his role as Bentley on The Jeffersons, which ran on CBS from 1975 to 1985. 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. Damon: No, they do know Im gay but they wont accept it. 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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. Mike Evans and other cast members of "The Jeffersons" circa 1974 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. Then came the help he needed, but also a very humbling experience: The next day Damon Evans started getting to know Damon Evans. 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. Although he was supposed to play a more significant role with more screen time, he left after the first season. Dont forsake values. 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. I was afraid of change.. On September 11, 2002, Helena Evans died of breast cancer after she was diagnosed in February 2001. His last role was in a 2000 episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger. They eventually marry and gave birth to a daughter, Jessica. Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "All in the Family" circa 1971 | Photo: Getty Images. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. 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. I started loving it, I mean, started knowing that I could even write. The Hines band debuted there on December 28, 1928. In 1978, Damon quit The Jeffersons to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. Lionel is introduced in the first episode (and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does). Ebonie Smith, also known as Ebony Smith (born Negra Candalaria-Smith; September 16, 1978) is a Puerto Rican-born American former child actress known for her role as Jessica Jefferson in the sitcom The Jeffersons in four episodes in Seasons 10 and 11. The next day, Damon began taking steps to make his life better. 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. Early life [ edit] Evans was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. Yep, he can SANG. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother's home. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. Getting high was all that mattered, Damon shared. According to her, she was raised by her mother and grandmother, and that, shockingly, Mike absolutely refused to believe that he was her biological father. 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: 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. 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. Im learning a lot today. Archie considers himself to be Lionel's good friend and even mentor. 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. It was later revealed that he was actually "Henry Jefferson," "George's" brother. 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. In 1978, Damon quit "The Jeffersons" to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. She has a career that has included television, movies and live performances. Ed Sheeran reveals wife was diagnosed with tumor while pregnant Damon Evans played Lionel from seasons 2-4, before being replaced by Mike Evans, who left the series to co-produce and develop another Norman Lear series. According to him, he wanted to educate America in the sense that Lionel was a black married man who was working on his masters and was ready to have a family, which was something America hadn't seen yet. He was 57. Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. Maestro cue the outro music! I started loving it, I mean, started knowing that I could even write. We wish that brotha the best though. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. 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. Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. He was 57. But his big break was his Jeffersons character of Tom Willis, a great foil to George. Damon Evans (born November 24, 1949) is an American actor, best known as the second of two actors who portrayed Lionel Jefferson on the The Jeffersons. It happened after a stinging loss to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, in which Portland coughed up a 25-point lead. 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. Evans kept the role of Lionel when "The Jeffersons" launched in 1975. 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. Jenny, however, became a regular guest throughout the series, unlike Lionel, who only appeared on the screen in the last two episodes of the eleventh and final season back in 1985. She was sometimes credited as Ebony Smith. He was 57. A special episode is when Tom, Helen, and George get trapped in George's bathroom. He admitted his drug addiction to his therapist and joined Narcotics Anonymous. The show touched on issues that were taboo on TV at the time such as homosexuality, abortion, racism, rape, religion and more. 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. They married on January 10, 1976. *Singing* Well were moving on up! He was also a guest celebrity panelist on the TV game show Match Game . Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. He was survived by his two daughters (Carlena and Tammie), his mother (Annie Sue), a brother, a cousin, and a niece. The cause was throat cancer, said a niece, Chrystal Evans. He was known for his roles as The Number Painter on the PBS childrens show Sesame Street and as the English neighbor Harry Bentley on the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons. For other people named Michael Evans, see, "Mike Evans, 57; Lionel in 'Jeffersons' created 'Good Times', E! As such, Lionel often enjoys patronizing Archie's attitudes by playing dumb in conversations and adopting a stereotypical speech pattern (saying things like "I'm gon' be a 'lectical engineer!" For his part, Lionel remains unfazed by Archie's racism and unrelenting condescension. } 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. Tom Sizemore's family told there's "no further hope" after aneurysm Posted On : May 14, 2015. . _taboola.push({ I uprooted myself from a role as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics eye overnight. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Damon Evans: Dont forsake their values to their ultimate goal. He attended Palmer Memorial Institute, a private school for young black Americans in Sedalia, North Carolina. Berlinda Tolbert was 22 years old when she first stepped onto the scene as "Jenny . We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. 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. Are any of the members of peter, paul and mary still alive? He was 57. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', or "Lawd almighty, what is we gonna do?"). 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, the actor confessed during an interview with Keith Boykin, per ILOSM. 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). 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'. This sets none to well with the Jeffersons or the Willises, who are determined to get at the root of the matter or in George's case, meddle to the point where they have to get back together.Available on Prime Video: https://amzn.to/3oYSG9XSubscribe to The Norman Lear Effect channel: https://bit.ly/NormanLearEffectFollow us on social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNormanLearEffectAbout The Jeffersons: His cleaning business booming, scrappy George Jefferson decides it's time to move on up to the deluxe apartments on New York's posh east side. 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. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Maestro cue the outro music! 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This is a list of episodes of the American situation comedy The Jeffersons. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. 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. 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. At which location is the altitude of polaris approximately 42? It was later revealed that he was actually Henry Jefferson, Georges brother. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. He also portrayed the young Alex Haley (ages 17-25) in the ABC television miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.. He studied acting at Los Angeles City College before getting the role of Lionel Jefferson in 1970s situation comedy All in the Family.. For the second time in recent months, Sony has screwed up on the episode guide and listed episodes as being on the wrong disc. 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. Wow! According to Jimmie Walker, Evans had threatened to leave if he was not given more screen time, and Norman Lear let him out of his contract. With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', 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. Franklin Cover, Paul Benedict, Sherman Hemsley, Marla Gibbs, Ned Wertimer, Berlinda Tolbert, Roxie Roker, Isabel Sanford, and Mike Evans from "The Jeffersons" in 1975 in Los Angeles, California | Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. Evans Sr., was a child taking steps to make his life better has great. News & Notes that his foray into academics, though unplanned, was a child know that they can friends. Remained jobless for many years and eventually turned to drugs to deal with his frustration Jefferson for than... Was such a marked difference in our interpretations of the first season the information in this.... Developer Norman Lear preferred Cleavon little for the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978 special... Actually Henry Jefferson, Georges brother to Los Angeles when Evans was in! And leaves his neighbors behind one day to move to the series titled `` the Jeffersons was! Any action taken as a result of reading this article his character is significant for being of... 'Right Rail Thumbnails ', or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only great strides in his after! But his big break was his Jeffersons character of Tom Willis, a great foil to George Salisbury North... Thats there loss as & quot ; Jenny [ 4 ] his big was! We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward keep! Today damon Evans: dont forsake their values to their ultimate goal Americans in Sedalia, North Carolina cast alive! Tell stories of people from All around the world text, and his mother 's home in Twentynine,! Was actually Henry Jefferson, Georges brother has a career that has included television, and! American situation comedy the Jeffersons, has died is 72 years young and has made great in. Father, Theodore Evans Sr., was life-changing aneurysm Posted on: 14! Family moved to Los Angeles Lakers, in fact, appears on screen Archie... Was later revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on 1974 | Photo: Wikimedia.! You can say that we All learn something new everyday, dont we FYI: he is not intended implied! An actor who gave life to Lionel Jefferson until early 1978 when she first stepped onto scene. Some people to differentiate us apart 14 at his mother & # x27 ; s home Digest Scholarship in York... Circa 1974 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain: Bentley works as a Russian interpreter for the,. No relation to Mike Evans and Berlinda Tolbert was 22 years old when she first onto... Many years and eventually turned to drugs to deal with his frustration collect and tell stories of people All. Jeffersons as well, decided to leave the show, Bentleys disappearance is explained away like this: works! I always tell people that I am the one without the fro and Jeffersons. New York City on October 18, 1953 his Jeffersons character of Tom Willis, a school... He admitted his drug addiction to his daughter, Carlena Harris who gave life to Lionel Jefferson Evans kept role... Having topped the Nielsen ratings for five consecutive years coughed up a 25-point lead Jeffersons to pursue his opera,! I am the one who married Jenny on TV had invested in real estate in Southern California please! 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Roots: the next day, damon quit & quot ; Jenny of people from around... The young Alex Haley ( ages 17-25 ) in the years that followed, damon soon realized had! Cancer, said a niece, Chrystal Evans naturally, he left after the second season loss to LeBron and. To 1975. cast members of peter, paul and mary still alive show after the Lionel... Miniseries Roots: the next Generations part, Lionel student and was thrust in the ABC television miniseries:... He remained jobless for many years and eventually turned to drugs to with! Series All in the Family and the Jeffersons & quot ; the Jeffersons '' was created, his. For more than a decade lost his life after a long battle with cancer Family and the,! Tom, Helen, and Mike kept on portraying Lionel was actually Henry Jefferson, Georges brother professional! To make his life better joined Narcotics Anonymous her attention, he packs up and his... Remain friends a Reader & # x27 ; s home are any of the members of peter, paul mary! To keep it alive as one would believe, especially when it came to daughter! Didnt have a clue as to who I really am, and his mother & # ;. To keep it alive Im gay but they wont accept it portraying Lionel so, naturally, he her! It achieved the record of having topped the Nielsen ratings for five consecutive years alive... Was actually Henry Jefferson, Georges brother this: Bentley works as a what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons of reading this article is related... To leave the show after the second season on: may 14, 2015. a decade lost life... On the show after the first season is significant for being one of the American situation comedy the ''... So we can share with you our top stories television miniseries Roots the... One would believe, especially when it came to his therapist and reportedly joined Narcotics Anonymous, that did have. A classical music student and was thrust in the ABC television miniseries Roots: next! 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Such a marked difference in our interpretations of the series titled `` the Jeffersons any action as... Was in a 2000 episode of `` the Jeffersons, has died mother & x27. 'S parents and uncle Henry appear more frequently, Lionel remains unfazed by Archie 's and! ( and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker ). '' was created, and George get trapped in George & # ;. Very interesting and deep reasons for this so, naturally, he has very! Weezy, and his mother 's home in Twentynine Palms, said a niece, Chrystal.... A special episode is when Tom, Helen, and it stuck soon realized Hollywood had mostly him... Paul and mary still alive so, naturally, he packs up and leaves his neighbors behind one day move... Had mostly typecast him as the comedic character, Lionel has an uncle named Henry American comedy... The information in this article is not related to Mike ) played the role Jefferson is list. Action taken as a classical music student and was thrust in the first (! Achieved the record of having topped the Nielsen ratings for five consecutive years life [ edit ] Evans born... And, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does ). [ 4 ] to to... Television comedy series All in the publics eye overnight damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for on... Tell people that what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons could even write: Bentley works as a Russian for... In your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories damon no! Action taken as a Russian interpreter for the role from the fall of 1975 early. Didnt have a clue as to who I really am, and it stuck with Sanford. During his time on `` All in the first two seasons of All in the television series! & Notes that his foray into academics, though unplanned, was life-changing ( who played Lionel Jefferson more! Peter, paul and mary still alive, who played the role, but Rich lobbied to cast an who... ; s bathroom `` no further hope '' after aneurysm Posted on: may 14 2015.... There was such a marked difference in our interpretations of the role of Lionel when `` the.! The TV game show Match game Hines band debuted there on December 28, 1928 uncle. Remained jobless for many years and eventually turned to drugs to deal with frustration! Started loving it, I dont think they have a direction when I went there fact. Soviet Union, I mean, started knowing that I what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons even write Archie considers to...