I'm shocked no one posted this yet. I just heard this on ABC radio that actor Michael Evans, who acted in All In The Family and The Jeffersons, died of throat cancer at 57!!

UNREAL! He's not even that old and the guy who played his dad (Sherman Helmsley) is doing fine.

Does anyone have a pic of what he looked like recently or even in the last 10 years??

As I do recall, Michael Evans was the first Lionel Jefferson, and for a time, he was succeded by Damon Evans. I'm not sure if either was related in real life, but all condolences to Michael Evans' family.

TWENTYNINE PALMS, California (AP) -- Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. He was 57.

Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans.
Evans (http://www.cnn.com/)http://i.cnn.net/cnn/.element/img/1.3/misc/icon.offsite.gif, along with Eric Monte, also created and wrote for "Good Times," one of the first TV sitcoms that featured a primarily black cast.

Michael Jonas Evans was born November 3, 1949, in Salisbury, North Carolina. His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist while his mother, Annie Sue Evans, was a school teacher.
The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child.

He studied acting at Los Angeles City College before getting the role of Lionel Jefferson in 1970s situation comedy "All in the Family."
Evans kept the role of Lionel when "The Jeffersons" launched in 1975. The hit show was a spinoff featuring bigoted Archie Bunker's black neighbors 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.
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." His last role was in a 2000 episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger."
In recent years he had invested in real estate in Southern California.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press (http://www.cnn.com/interactive_legal.html#AP). All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

As I do recall, Michael Evans was the first Lionel Jefferson, and for a time, he was succeded by Damon Evans. I'm not sure if either was related in real life, but all condolences to Michael Evans' family.

There was no relation between Mike Evans and Damon Evans. Just a coincidental sharing of last names. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. I wonder why his family waited so late to go public of his death. Condolences to the Evans' Family during their time of greiving during this season.

THIS IS SHOCKING. SO YOUNG How many people must we lose to that bitch CANCER???????? This is sad news. Especially for us fans who continue to watch these shows and grew up watching Lionel.

THANK YOU MIKE EVANS FOR THE WORK AND THE LAUGHS YOU BROUGHT US. THANK YOU FOR HELPING BRING GOOD TIMES TO TELEVISION. I HOPE YOU KNOW HOW MUCH YOU WILL BE MISSED.

:rip: to the good Lionel.

Is it true that he rejected the Jeffersons after he left and didn't want anything to do with it? If so, why not??? Did he just reject ALL acting?

Also, the article says he returned as Lionel from 1979 to 1981. Does that mean from 1982 to 1985 there was NO Lionel at all in the Jeffersons??

Is it true that he rejected the Jeffersons after he left and didn't want anything to do with it? If so, why not??? Did he just reject ALL acting?

Also, the article says he returned as Lionel from 1979 to 1981. Does that mean from 1982 to 1985 there was NO Lionel at all in the Jeffersons??
The article mentions Damon Evans as playing the SECOND Lionel.

Wow, I am shocked! I didn't even know he was sick! Such a tragic loss!

:rip:

OMG!! STUNNED and SHOCKED. i don't believe this

Franklin Cover earlier in February and now Mike Evans. A very sad year for the cast of The Jeffersons. :(

I'm shocked no one posted this yet. I just heard this on ABC radio that actor Michael Evans, who acted in All In The Family and The Jeffersons, died of throat cancer at 57!!

I just saw it on the LA Times website and wasn't sure if anyone had posted it or not. I usually try to keep up with news such as this using several resources. I didn't see it mentioned on Yahoo news but then again their top entertainment story is the Hilary Duff Barbie doll. :rolleyes: Thanks for posting Big3's, He was the only Lionel as far as I'm concerned.

Our tribute and also a bad note for The Jeffersons on TV Land starting in January:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2006/12/jeffersons-first-lionel-actor-mike.html

OMG. This is so shocking and he was so young. I'm just stunned. I didn't know he was sick either. :(

I'm shocked too, that really sad.

Our tribute and also a bad note for The Jeffersons on TV Land starting in January:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2006/12/jeffersons-first-lionel-actor-mike.html
WTF????? JEFFERSONS ONLY AT 3 IN THE MORNING???????

SOLOMON!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU WERE RIGHT!!!!!!!!!:mad:

Rest in Peace Mike you will be3 missed

Just recently watched him on the Richard Pryor Show and hearing this is beyond shocking.

WTF????? JEFFERSONS ONLY AT 3 IN THE MORNING???????

SOLOMON!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU WERE RIGHT!!!!!!!!!:mad:


I saw the signs in November. Not surprised at all

I'm shocked no one posted this yet. I just heard this on ABC radio that actor Michael Evans, who acted in All In The Family and The Jeffersons, died of throat cancer at 57!!

UNREAL! He's not even that old and the guy who played his dad (Sherman Helmsley) is doing fine.

Does anyone have a pic of what he looked like recently or even in the last 10 years??
Yeah, I was so shocked to find about this. :shocked Yeah, he was too young to pass away, but it happened and so was John Ritter. Was also surprised that no one posted this in the All In The Family message board (at least not yet) since he was seen more on that show than he was on the Jeffersons. Well, may God rest his soul.

This is terrible and shocking news. I didn't know he was ill. Prayers to him and his loved ones.

I thought some of you might like to read this LA Times article about Eric Monte who of course was co-creator of Good Times along with Mike Evans.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-me-monte19dec19,0,4714364,full.story?coll=la-home-headlines

They just did a brief rememberance of Mike on Access Hollywood, mostly showing clips from All In the Family.

They just did a brief rememberance of Mike on Access Hollywood, mostly showing clips from All In the Family.



I can understand that, AITF was the show he shined on, on the Jeffersons he was in the background

Oh my GOSH!!!! :( He was so young!!! My mom and I were just talking about how we preferred him to the 2nd Lionel the other day!!! R.I.P.!! :(

This is such a shock. :( R.I.P. Mike.

RIP, Mike.

He was such a great character. Always way ahead of Archie. Could beat him at his own game.

I just found out. I had no idea that he was sick either. This stinks :( R.I.P. Mike Evans :rip:

Mike Evans was one of the more private/mysterious actors I can think of. I am a big All In The Family fan and have always tried to find a "where are they now" on this guy. But, until this sad news today, there has just been very, very little info on Evans. There are no recent pictures of him anywhere. It seems like he just left show business altogether many years ago. But, why? No explanation was ever given. The guy definitely had talent. He was a riot on AITF. The way he would mock Archie to his face with Archie too dumb to even realize it was just classic. And of course he went on to create the popular "Good Times." But after The Jeffersons, he went on to do a few small things, then he totally just disappeared from show biz. According to IMDB, he was on an episode of Walker Texas Ranger in recent years. BUT, I thought I read before (while doing research on him) that it was NOT the same Mike Evans. If that's the case, IMDB should fix that. Can anybody confirm if it was him or not on that episode of Walker?

RIP Mike Evans

I saw the signs in November. Not surprised at all

What do you mean? What signs are you talking about?

What do you mean? What signs are you talking about?



I was talking about the Signs of TV LAND preempting the Jeffersons every week which started looking like the Jeffersons was no longer going to be in Primetime. So that's why I'm not surprised it will only be on at 3am in January. I saw It coming. I Guess you thought I was talking Mike Evans

This is the third cast member to die since I began watching this show. It's a shame to see him go so young and I hate that he did practically no work after the show ended. R.I.P. Mr. Evans. You were the better Lionel and I wish you had stuck with the show throughout.

hes 6th Louies is gone Mother jefferson tom and helen henry jefferson mr whitnedale is gone now Lionel are moved up to deluxe apt in the sky

Is it true that he rejected the Jeffersons after he left and didn't want anything to do with it? If so, why not??? Did he just reject ALL acting?

Also, the article says he returned as Lionel from 1979 to 1981. Does that mean from 1982 to 1985 there was NO Lionel at all in the Jeffersons??


Well, he did appear in one 1982 episode from the 81-82 season. He then appeared in a two part episode where he and Jenny were talking divorce in the last season of the show (1985). He did not make any other appearances other than these three eps. His character was sent to Japan to work on an engineering project.

God bless his family and friends. Dang!:(

I noticed on IMDB that Mike Evans and Berlinda Tolbert were born only one day apart (Nov. 3rd & 4th 1949) and both were born in my home state of NC. Mike in Salisbury & Berlinda in Charlotte.

This is the third cast member to die since I began watching this show. It's a shame to see him go so young and I hate that he did practically no work after the show ended. R.I.P. Mr. Evans. You were the better Lionel and I wish you had stuck with the show throughout.
Is it me, or did more cast members die from this show so close together more than any other show? :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

I hope he knew how many fans he had. Wonderful actor and my favorite Lionel. :(

Is it me, or did more cast members die from this show so close together more than any other show? :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
Well, it seems that more cast members died from this show so close together more than any other show, so I don't think it's you. Mike Evans was the 5th one to leave us (Zara Cully in '78 when the series was in production and Roxie Roker in '95), and we've already lost 3 cast members, counting Mike, in the recent years (Isabel Sanford in '04 and Franklin Cover earlier this year). Who knows who'll be the next one, but I guess it's something we don't want to know.

My brother called me on my cell today, and I just got home. OMG I just thought about this all day, it is just so hard to believe. I had the biggest crush on Lionel, and always will. I loved his interaction with Archie that was really great.

RIP Mike we will miss you!!!

:crying: :crying: :crying: peacesign:

I was on my way home from shopping yesterday, and I glanced at someone reading the paper, and I saw his pic in the obituary. I said, "oh my God, not Lionel". Michael Jonas (Mike) Evans will be missed.

Well, it seems that more cast members died from this show so close together more than any other show
Gilligan's Island lost three cast members close together as well. Jim Backus (7/89), Alan Hale (1/90) and Natalie Schafer (4/91).

Does anyone know if Sherman Helmsley has issued a statement regarding Mike Evans' death?

Gilligan's Island lost three cast members close together as well. Jim Backus (7/89), Alan Hale (1/90) and Natalie Schafer (4/91).

Does anyone know if Sherman Helmsley has issued a statement regarding Mike Evans' death?
And Bewitched lost about 3 cast members close together too in the 90's. Off the top of my head, they were Dick York (2/92), Dick Sargent ('94), and Elizabeth Montgomery ('95).

Gilligan's Island lost three cast members close together as well. Jim Backus (7/89), Alan Hale (1/90) and Natalie Schafer (4/91).



Yes, I was about to mention that. They were a good amount older than Mike Evans though.

hes 6th Louies is gone Mother jefferson tom and helen henry jefferson mr whitnedale is gone now Lionel are moved up to deluxe apt in the sky


WHO is henry jefferson???

WHO is henry jefferson???

George's brother. He was a regular on AITF before Sherman Helmsley was even on it.

WHO is henry jefferson???
He's George's brother played by Mel Stewart, but he was only seen on All in the Family and never on the Jeffersons. And he left AITF after George made his very first appearance.

If it weren't for "Good Times", Mike Evans' role on "The Jeffersons" would have been bigger. By the time "The Jeffersons" premiered in January 1975, his creation "Good Times" was already a hit (Good Times premiered in Feb. 1974). He took time of his role as Lionel to focus on "Good Times". "Good Times" had much turmoil behind the scenes, which left Evans disinterested in show business. He came back to "The Jeffersons" after "Good Times" ended but was not happy with the character's direction. You can tell he looks bored with playing the role after that. Plus, Sherman Hemsley reported fought to keep the second Lionel, Damon Evans, when Mike Evans elected to return. Supposedly, that caused his return to be a little rocky.

After his stint as an actor and a show creator, he made some shrewd business deals which left him comfortable financially. He lived on a farm in upstate New York for awhile. How he came to Southern California is not known, but it would have only been in recent years. It doesn't appear that he ever married, either, but am not certain about it.

If it weren't for "Good Times", Mike Evans' role on "The Jeffersons" would have been bigger. By the time "The Jeffersons" premiered in January 1975, his creation "Good Times" was already a hit (Good Times premiered in Feb. 1974). He took time of his role as Lionel to focus on "Good Times". "Good Times" had much turmoil behind the scenes, which left Evans disinterested in show business. He came back to "The Jeffersons" after "Good Times" ended but was not happy with the character's direction. You can tell he looks bored with playing the role after that. Plus, Sherman Hemsley reported fought to keep the second Lionel, Damon Evans, when Mike Evans elected to return. Supposedly, that caused his return to be a little rocky.

After his stint as an actor and a show creator, he made some shrewd business deals which left him comfortable financially. He lived on a farm in upstate New York for awhile. How he came to Southern California is not known, but it would have only been in recent years. It doesn't appear that he ever married, either, but am not certain about it.



He didn't go to Work on Good times after he left the Jeffersons. And when he returned to the Jeffersons in 1979 he was not working at all.

He didn't go to Work on Good times after he left the Jeffersons. And when he returned to the Jeffersons in 1979 he was not working at all.

Who is that as your avatar? And is he smoking what I think he's smoking?

Who is that as your avatar? And is he smoking what I think he's smoking?




LOL-LMAO That's the Guy that played the Piano Mover on the Jeffersons ep-"Piano Man" who was arguing with George in the kitchen

LOL-LMAO That's the Guy that played the Piano Mover on the Jeffersons ep-"Piano Man" who was arguing with George in the kitchen


He looks different, he doesn't look as big.

He looks different, he doesn't look as big.


He was him in the 60's as a Young Buck

WOW I had no idea, he passed away... I did not hear anything about this until I came to the message board

I had a little crush on Mike Evans, too, and just loved watching him on The Jeffersons. Can't believe he's gone! May he rest in peace, may his talent never be forgotten and may he always be remembered. :(

Wait A Minute Sherman Wanted The Second Lionel To Say oh well.
rip Lionel #1