Is It True That J. Alan Thomas (Jeff Bennett) is... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Adamantium · 04-20-2013, 10:27 AM

Dead?

I had never heard of his passing but then I noticed on imdb it says he died in 2007 at the age of 57. I did little research but couldn't find out much about him. Does anyone here know if he's really dead or if this is just some hoax or misunderstanding?

Zoneboy · 04-20-2013, 11:37 AM

Link

Jeffrey A. Thomas: Social Security Death Index (SSDI) Death Record
Name: Jeffrey A. Thomas
State of Issue: California
Date of Birth: Monday May 08, 1950
Date of Death: Sunday April 15, 2007
Est. Age at Death: 56 years, 11 months, 7 days
Confirmation: Verified
Last known residence:
City: Los Angeles; Playa Vista; Westchester
County: Los Angeles
State: California
ZIP Code: 90045

Adamantium · 04-20-2013, 11:59 AM

Thanks for the response.

I guess it's true then.

All this time I assumed he was still alive.

Skywalker · 04-20-2013, 02:07 PM

I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned on this site until now. I always thought he was still alive too. R.I.P. Jeff.

Adamantium · 04-20-2013, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned on this site until now. I always thought he was still alive too. R.I.P. Jeff.

Yeah, I checked previous threads on here before I posted the this but didn't find anything.

Marvo301 · 04-20-2013, 02:40 PM

I'm very sorry to hear of his passing. He was very underrated on Taxi. RIP J. Alan Thomas

Zoneboy · 04-20-2013, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned on this site until now. I always thought he was still alive too. R.I.P. Jeff.

I googled his name and couldn't find an obit for him then I tried the SSDI and it was confirmed there. IMDb of course isn't always reliable but the SSDI is. Here's another link...

http://www.geni.com/people/Jeffrey-T...00001881287352

MikeLutton · 04-20-2013, 06:59 PM

wonder what he died of

Adamantium · 04-21-2013, 12:50 AM

It's hard to find information on him online and I read in the book "Hailing Taxi" about him. Here's what Danny DeVito had to say, in regards to J. Alan Thomas.

"It's very, very difficult finding Jeff. As a matter of fact, when I wanted him for a part in this film (referring to Throw Mama from the Train), it took me a long, long time to find him."

The author of the book even wrote "While everybody know him, nobody knows him."

I had a little tribute to Mr. Thomas and watched three episodes of Taxi: I Wanna Be Around, Crime and Punishment and A Grand Gesture - all episodes to feature Jeff in a prominent role.

Rex Knight · 04-23-2014, 09:35 PM

I've been wondering the same thing. The man was only 56 years old. That isn't that old. How did Jeff die? There's nothing on the internet that says anything about how he died.

Cheffreycthomas · 01-02-2016, 12:37 AM

Jeff is my uncle (My dads lil brother) and I am his namesake. He passed due to liver issues. RIP unc

treky · 01-08-2016, 04:25 AM

didn't he appear (along with the rest of the TAXI cast in their roles from the show) in the Jim Carrey movie about Andy Kaufmann MAN ON THE MOON?

(Danny DeVito didn't play Louie though; he directed and played Kaufmanns agent)

Marvo301 · 01-08-2016, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheffreycthomas

Jeff is my uncle (My dads lil brother) and I am his namesake. He passed due to liver issues. RIP unc

Thank-you for sharing with us about your Uncle's cause of death. And I'm so sorry for your loss. He was a very good actor who never got the credit he deserved. I guess he made it look too easy!

Adamantium · 01-08-2016, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheffreycthomas

Jeff is my uncle (My dads lil brother) and I am his namesake. He passed due to liver issues. RIP unc

It's great to know Jeff is your uncle. It's so sad he passed away (and also that it took me a few years to find out about it). I'm a huge "Taxi" fan and Jeff had some great moments. Did he ever share any "Taxi" stories with you? What did he do besides acting?

Cheffreycthomas · 01-09-2016, 06:57 PM

No taxi stories that I remember. According to my dad he started on something called room 223. Then he did Throw Momma From the Train. Then Taxi. and he spent the rest of his years working on The Simpsons. Honestly for as long as I can remember he worked on that show and I'm 30 now. He took me to the set once where I met all of the Character's voice actors. I always got sweet Simpsons related Christmas gifts too. Simpsons Chess game, Trading cards, etc. Stuff that will be worth something one day. He was the coolest. He also opened or managed a Rehab facility in the Valley called the Heart House.

04-20-2013, 10:27 AM	#1
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,830	Is It True That J. Alan Thomas (Jeff Bennett) is... Dead? I had never heard of his passing but then I noticed on imdb it says he died in 2007 at the age of 57. I did little research but couldn't find out much about him. Does anyone here know if he's really dead or if this is just some hoax or misunderstanding?

04-20-2013, 11:37 AM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,386	Link Jeffrey A. Thomas: Social Security Death Index (SSDI) Death Record Name: Jeffrey A. Thomas State of Issue: California Date of Birth: Monday May 08, 1950 Date of Death: Sunday April 15, 2007 Est. Age at Death: 56 years, 11 months, 7 days Confirmation: Verified Last known residence: City: Los Angeles; Playa Vista; Westchester County: Los Angeles State: California ZIP Code: 90045
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

04-20-2013, 02:40 PM	#6
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	I'm very sorry to hear of his passing. He was very underrated on Taxi. RIP J. Alan Thomas
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

04-20-2013, 06:59 PM	#8
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,886	wonder what he died of
	__________________ Tv And DVD Addict got over a hundred dvds in my collection more than anyone in the neighborhood. also huge Animal lover family man

01-08-2016, 04:25 AM	#12
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	didn't he appear (along with the rest of the TAXI cast in their roles from the show) in the Jim Carrey movie about Andy Kaufmann MAN ON THE MOON? (Danny DeVito didn't play Louie though; he directed and played Kaufmanns agent)
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

04-20-2013, 11:59 AM	#3
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,830	Thanks for the response. I guess it's true then. All this time I assumed he was still alive.

04-20-2013, 02:07 PM	#4
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,204	I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned on this site until now. I always thought he was still alive too. R.I.P. Jeff.

04-21-2013, 12:50 AM	#9
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,830	It's hard to find information on him online and I read in the book "Hailing Taxi" about him. Here's what Danny DeVito had to say, in regards to J. Alan Thomas. "It's very, very difficult finding Jeff. As a matter of fact, when I wanted him for a part in this film (referring to Throw Mama from the Train), it took me a long, long time to find him." The author of the book even wrote "While everybody know him, nobody knows him." I had a little tribute to Mr. Thomas and watched three episodes of Taxi: I Wanna Be Around, Crime and Punishment and A Grand Gesture - all episodes to feature Jeff in a prominent role.

04-23-2014, 09:35 PM	#10
Rex Knight Member First Time Poster Join Date: Apr 23, 2014 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1	I've been wondering the same thing. The man was only 56 years old. That isn't that old. How did Jeff die? There's nothing on the internet that says anything about how he died.

01-02-2016, 12:37 AM	#11
Cheffreycthomas Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Jan 02, 2016 Posts: 3	Jeff is my uncle (My dads lil brother) and I am his namesake. He passed due to liver issues. RIP unc

01-09-2016, 06:57 PM	#15
Cheffreycthomas Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Jan 02, 2016 Posts: 3	No taxi stories that I remember. According to my dad he started on something called room 223. Then he did Throw Momma From the Train. Then Taxi. and he spent the rest of his years working on The Simpsons. Honestly for as long as I can remember he worked on that show and I'm 30 now. He took me to the set once where I met all of the Character's voice actors. I always got sweet Simpsons related Christmas gifts too. Simpsons Chess game, Trading cards, etc. Stuff that will be worth something one day. He was the coolest. He also opened or managed a Rehab facility in the Valley called the Heart House.