Bern Nadette Stanis Reveals that J.J. Couldn't Paint LOL

[Brian Damage]

It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years since Bern Nadette Stanis last suited up as Thelma on “Good Times.”

The actress, now 56, says she continues to act whenever parts come along, but is also happy to indulge in her other pastime, writing books. Stanis is spending these days promoting her second tome, “Situations 101: Relationships, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”

“I did 101 different [relationship] situations and my responses to each and every one of them,” she explains, adding that the book is for both male and female readers.

“I love being an author, I dance, and you’re gonna see, I am a painter,” she says – to the shock of both EUR’s Lee Bailey and her “Good Times” co-star Jimmie Walker, who was sitting next to her.



Stanis says she regularly paints in oils, and boasts that she’s much better than her fictional older brother, who admits he can’t paint a lick even though his character JJ was a talented “ar-teeste.”

“I would say once a month, some guy comes up and says, ‘I’m a painter, and I was inspired by your work,’” laughs Walker. “As we all know, Ernie Barnes did all of our paintings and he was fabulous. Unfortunately, Ernie’s passed away, but I can’t even do stick figures.”

Whether it’s painting, writing, dancing or acting, Stanis says her main focus is to just go with the flow. “I just keep doing things that I feel to do,” she says. “Things keep evolving and I go with it.”


For more information on Stanis’ book, visit her Web site: ThelmaofGoodTimes.com

[Marvo301]

I never thought that Jimmy Walker could paint. He was just an actor playing a part. I don't know who these people are that think Jimmy really paints but they need to get a life.

[catlover79]

Great article! I always knew Jimmie couldn't paint but didn't know Bern Nadette could.

[MickeyMac]

Does anyone remember the episode where Thalmus Rasulalal comes to see James, but is really hiding from loan sharks because he has big gambling debts?


The scene where the two thugs show up looking for him, I was told one of those guys did the paintings for the show.


Except for the closing credits, those came from the I Want You LP cover.

[waichingliu81]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I never thought that Jimmy Walker could paint. He was just an actor playing a part. I don't know who these people are that think Jimmy really paints but they need to get a life.

i didn't think that he could paint for real as J.J- it was all fake.

[hatwink]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I never thought that Jimmy Walker could paint. He was just an actor playing a part. I don't know who these people are that think Jimmy really paints but they need to get a life.

True, but he's talented in other fields, like radio.

[Mikeisha]

LOL. That's usually how it goes. He's an actor, after all. Common sense would tell you that even if he could paint, he did not paint the paintings shown on the series.

[Lennon]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years since Bern Nadette Stanis last suited up as Thelma on “Good Times.”

The actress, now 56, says she continues to act whenever parts come along, but is also happy to indulge in her other pastime, writing books. Stanis is spending these days promoting her second tome, “Situations 101: Relationships, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”

“I did 101 different [relationship] situations and my responses to each and every one of them,” she explains, adding that the book is for both male and female readers.

“I love being an author, I dance, and you’re gonna see, I am a painter,” she says – to the shock of both EUR’s Lee Bailey and her “Good Times” co-star Jimmie Walker, who was sitting next to her.



Stanis says she regularly paints in oils, and boasts that she’s much better than her fictional older brother, who admits he can’t paint a lick even though his character JJ was a talented “ar-teeste.”

“I would say once a month, some guy comes up and says, ‘I’m a painter, and I was inspired by your work,’” laughs Walker. “As we all know, Ernie Barnes did all of our paintings and he was fabulous. Unfortunately, Ernie’s passed away, but I can’t even do stick figures.”

Whether it’s painting, writing, dancing or acting, Stanis says her main focus is to just go with the flow. “I just keep doing things that I feel to do,” she says. “Things keep evolving and I go with it.”


For more information on Stanis’ book, visit her Web site: ThelmaofGoodTimes.com

Wow Thelma is still looking good!