1936- ). It rejuvenates you. Producers agreed to her demand and hired John Amos, whod appeared occasionally on Maude as Floridas husband (although his name was Henry at the time) to continue his role. John Amos opened up on his co-starring days with Esther Rolle and his feature on the family series, "Good Times." The veteran actor is famous for his role as James Evans in the popular CBS drama, and recently he sat down to voice out how he met Mrs. Evans on set. Advertisement. We talk more now, a little bit, but very, very little. Afflicted with diabetes, Esthers health failed in the 1990s and toward the end of her life she was on kidney dialysis, Biography.com reports. Did You Know That Florida Evans from 'Good Times' Had 2 Sisters Who We never spoke to each other. It was her show. 16-year-old Thelma . But her breakthrough came in 1972 when she was cast as Florida Evans on the CBS show Maude, which was a spin-off of All in the Family, at the time one of the most popular television shows. The show had six seasons on CBS from February 8 . Although her memory lives on in the publics mind through that character especially, Rolle died years ago. Not only was the J.J. Evans actor vastly untrained as a performer, but viewers loved him. Talk to John and you might as well be dealing with the Sphinx twenty-five hundred years of silent certainty. Rolles contributions to the television industry go well beyond a single character; she fought racial discrimination in Hollywood throughout her life. There were also several recurring supporting characters: a divorcee named Willona Woods who was Florida's best friend, the annoying building super Nathan Bookman, a local alcoholic named Ned the Wino, a neighborhood pimp, the local alderman and others. She supported herself with afull-time job in the garment district while acting with the Negro Ensemble Company, a haven for minority actors struggling to break into the white-dominated worlds of Broadway and Hollywood. He announced there was immense respect for Esther, which he showed in their relationship as co-stars. She turned to Norman Lear and said, Hell do just fine.'. Ja'Net DuBois, center, with Jimmie Walker and Esther Rolle in an episode of the CBS sitcom "Good Times." On "Good Times," Ms. DuBois played Willona, a neighbor of Ms. Rolle's character . Again, Lears insight on the situation: Had John and Esther thrown their arms around this wild but tender talent and been grateful for what he brought to the show, so hungry for their respect and kindness was Jimmie, they could have owned the lad and helped him to mature., Good Times: The 1 Episode That Star Esther Rolle Wouldnt Do But Was Forced to by the Shows Producer, Lear revealed in his book that Amos was so glum and dispirited that continuing the show seemed impossible., We decided to write him out of the show, the television producer wrote. Perhaps most significant of all Rolles accomplishments, back when Maude and Good Times were hit shows, was her insistence that people of color who worked with her and around her be treated with the same dignity and respect. Three virtual shows honoring her life and legacy will kick off with a presentation at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 that includes interviews with special guests Bern Nadette Stanis (Thelma on Good Times) and Adella Farmar (Rolles fashion stylist). Adamantly opposed to Hollywoods black stereotypes, Rolle allowed producer Norman Lear to lure her away from Broadway for his Maude series only after he promised that she could portray a fully developed character and not just a Hollywood maid.. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Thank you for supporting ALERT CULTURE! Unfortunately after the shows 4t. The sixth season was to be the last. Ralph Carter portrayed the role of the youngest Evans child from 1974 to 1979. She became the outspoken, sassy maid Florida Evans with a mind of her own, occasionally performing work and frequently offering advice to Bea Arthurs liberal, mouthy Maude. As Rolle put it in a 1975 interview with Ebony: "He's 18 and he doesn't work. Producers believed that Carter would be the breakout character of the show, not only because he was cute and looked younger than his age, but also because it would be humorous yet poignant that a child would be espousing such zealous viewpoints. The Truth About James and Florida Evans From "Good Times" -- 25 Things "I told the producers, 'I did not agree to do a clown show for you to degrade young Black men,' " she says. She was often cast in plays produced by Robert Hooks and the Negro Ensemble Company. Entries submitted by artists across the country will showcase Rolles career through a virtually accessible gallery at the Ali Cultural Arts Center. He spoke about his time with Bill Cosby and how the comedian was selective of his circle of friends. Esther Rolle played the matriarch of the Evans family - Florida Evans. Set in a poor Chicago neighborhood, the part of Florida Evans is . Mini Bio (1) Best known for the role of Florida Evans on the 1970s sitcoms Maude (1972) and Good Times (1974), African-American actress Esther Rolle proved to be as spirited and iron-willed off-camera as well. He cant read and write. Ultimate Classic Rock describes the show as the story of a working-class man who holds down multiple jobs to keep his family from the ravages of poverty. !. John Amos Recalls Working with Esther Rolle & How He Was Cast on 'Good Good Times, the TV showthat ran on CBS from 1974 to 1979, has been widely and rightfully lauded for being the first show onU.S. television to depict a Black nuclear family. Hes got billions of dollars, what does he need Jimmie Walker for? All of your favorites. Rolle attended Spelman College in Atlanta, and earlier this month was honored by its alumnae as an important role model.
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