Mike Evans | |
|---|---|
_1975.jpg) Mike Evans, circa 1975 | |
| Born | Michael Jonas Evans (1949-11-03)November 3, 1949 |
| Died | December 14, 2006(2006-12-14) (aged 57) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1971–1985 |
| Children | 2 |
Michael Jonas Evans (November 3, 1949 – December 14, 2006)[1] was an American actor and TV writer, best known asLionel Jefferson on bothAll in the Family andThe Jeffersons. Evans was a creator/writer of the seriesGood Times (1974–79).[2] He was also a guest celebrity panelist on the TV game showMatch Game.
Evans was born inSalisbury, North Carolina on November 3, 1949. His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist, and his mother, Annie Sue Evans, was a teacher.[1] He attendedPalmer Memorial Institute, a private school for youngAfrican Americans inSedalia, North Carolina. His family later moved toLos Angeles, where he graduated fromLos Angeles High School. He studied acting atLos Angeles City College.[3]
A college student majoring in drama but with no acting experience, Evans caught his big break whenAll in the Family producer and directorJohn Rich hired him to play Lionel Jefferson, the son of the Bunkers' new black neighbors. Show developerNorman Lear preferredCleavon Little for the role, but Rich lobbied to cast an actor who would appear less "threatening."[4]
Evans continued to play the role on the spinoffThe Jeffersons, but left after the first season to pursue other aspects of his career. According toJimmie Walker, Evans had threatened to leave if he was not given more screen time, and Norman Lear let him out of his contract.[5] Actor and opera singerDamon Evans (no relation to Michael) then took the role of Lionel, but Mike Evans returned to the role for the sixth, seventh and eighth seasons. Evans was a creator/writer of the seriesGood Times (1974–79).[2][1]
Evans played Lenny in the cast of the 1976–77Danny Thomas situation comedyThe Practice during its second and final season.
Evans was also a real estate investor and owned properties in California'sInland Empire.[6]
Evans died ofthroat cancer at his mother's home inTwentynine Palms, California, at the age of 57.[6] 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.[citation needed]. Evans never married.[7][8]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–1975 | All in the Family | Lionel Jefferson | Main cast (33 episodes) |
| 1972 | Killer by Night | Marley | Television film |
| 1972 | Call Her Mom | Wilson | Television film |
| 1972 | Now You See Him, Now You Don't | Myles | Feature film |
| 1972 | Love, American Style | Jerome Wilson | "Love and the Perfect Wedding" segment |
| 1973 | Voyage of the Yes | Orlando B. Parker | Television film |
| 1974 | The House on Skull Mountain | Phillippe Wilette | |
| 1974 | The Streets of San Francisco | Paul Hudson | Episode: "For Good or Evil" |
| 1975 | Far Out Space Nuts | Episode: "Galaxy's Greatest Athlete" | |
| 1975–1985 | The Jeffersons | Lionel Jefferson | Main cast (34 episodes) (final appearance) |
| 1976 | Rich Man, Poor Man | Arnold Simms | Television miniseries |
| 1976–1977 | The Practice | Lenny | Main cast (13 episodes) |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
