TVFactFan
03-12-2023, 01:22 PM
This link below is why he left after season one in 1975 which had nothing to do with Good Times
https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=181400&highlight=Mike+Evans
This link below is why he returned in 1979
https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=229084&highlight=Mike+Evans
Is it true that Sherman Hemsley got Damon Evans (Lionel #2) fired from the show? Apparently, he gotten together with Mike Evans a few years after he left the show and told him the cast didn't like working with Damon and they all wanted him back. Then, Sherman set up a meeting with Norman Lear and the three of them worked out a deal with hiring Mike back, and gave Damon his walking papers.
TVFactFan
06-20-2024, 02:26 AM
Is it true that Sherman Hemsley got Damon Evans (Lionel #2) fired from the show? Apparently, he gotten together with Mike Evans a few years after he left the show and told him the cast didn't like working with Damon and they all wanted him back. Then, Sherman set up a meeting with Norman Lear and the three of them worked out a deal with hiring Mike back, and gave Damon his walking papers.
I posted why he left in 2011 in this thread
https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=277548&highlight=Damon+Evans
CJMD03
12-09-2025, 11:57 AM
Mike Evans was fired by Lear at a party because he threatened to leave if he didn’t get a larger part. Damon Evans was said to be so unlikable when he joined the show that no one could stand him.
CJMD03
12-09-2025, 12:17 PM
Avtually, Lionel wasn’t really needed on the show as a regular.
TVFactFan
12-09-2025, 01:22 PM
Mike Evans was fired by Lear at a party because he threatened to leave if he didn’t get a larger part. Damon Evans was said to be so unlikable when he joined the show that no one could stand him.
believe this has been mentioned already
BestTVever
12-13-2025, 03:32 PM
This link below is why he left after season one in 1975 which had nothing to do with Good Times
https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=181400&highlight=Mike+Evans
This link below is why he returned in 1979
https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=229084&highlight=Mike+Evans
Yes it appears the Good Times excuse was a throw down?
Its crazy that someone would walk away from a TV hit show. You realize the money he left behind for all those seasons he was not on the show. He must of had a big head. He barely got the casting call for All In The Family. It was because of his un-Hollywood persona and he was not known that made him appeal to Norman Lear.
TVFactFan
12-13-2025, 03:48 PM
Yes it appears the Good Times excuse was a throw down?
Its crazy that someone would walk away from a TV hit show. You realize the money he left behind for all those seasons he was not on the show. He must of had a big head. He barely got the casting call for All In The Family. It was because of his un-Hollywood persona and he was not known that made him appeal to Norman Lear.
Yes that GT excuse was false. Years ago I came across the article in this ebony magazine that explained why Mike Left. He probably realized his role was reduced in favor of Mother Jefferson. A character who didnt even live inside the house lol
BestTVever
12-13-2025, 05:08 PM
Yes that GT excuse was false. Years ago I came across the article in this ebony magazine that explained why Mike Left. He probably realized his role was reduced in favor of Mother Jefferson. A character who didnt even live inside the house lol
Yes but for someone that had the luck with minimal experience to end up on All In The Family the biggest show on TV to be spun off to another hit its weird and arrogant to walk away from that then 5 years later still unemployed agrees to come back. Just strange.
TVFactFan
12-13-2025, 11:34 PM
Yes but for someone that had the luck with minimal experience to end up on All In The Family the biggest show on TV to be spun off to another hit its weird and arrogant to walk away from that then 5 years later still unemployed agrees to come back. Just strange.
After he left the jeffersons he appeared on The Practice which started in January of 1976 and lasted until 1977. Starring Danny Thomas. The lady next to Mike Evans played Mrs Roper sister on the Ropers