Where Are They Now: The Cast of Good Times

America's first Black TV family on their 40th anniversary.

The Evans: TV's First Black Family - This week marks the 40th anniversary of the premiere of Good Times. The series, which aired for six seasons, introduced America to its first Black television family, unforgettable catch phrases and quotable classic episodes. Ain’t we lucky we’ve got ‘em? Yes indeed, we were all very lucky to have Good Times. Here's a look at where the cast is today.   (Photo: CBS)

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The Evans: TV's First Black Family - This week marks the 40th anniversary of the premiere of Good Times. The series, which aired for six seasons, introduced America to its first Black television family, unforgettable catch phrases and quotable classic episodes. Ain’t we lucky we’ve got ‘em? Yes indeed, we were all very lucky to have Good Times. Here's a look at where the cast is today.   (Photo: CBS)

John Amos - TV audiences first saw John Amos on the Mary Tyler Moore Show and later on Maude (as Henry Evans, but still the husband of Florida). But Amos made the biggest impact as television’s first Black TV dad, James Evans. Amos’ tough love, take-no-mess stern portrayal wasn’t regulated to his performance. His criticism of Good Times scripts and the overall direction of the series, plus his “disruptive” presence on set, led to his untimely firing from the sitcom in 1976. Amos has since starred on television in Roots, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The West Wing. He’s also appeared in such films as Let’s Do It Again, Coming to America, Die Hard 2 and Dr. Doolittle 3. (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

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John Amos - TV audiences first saw John Amos on the Mary Tyler Moore Show and later on Maude (as Henry Evans, but still the husband of Florida). But Amos made the biggest impact as television’s first Black TV dad, James Evans. Amos’ tough love, take-no-mess stern portrayal wasn’t regulated to his performance. His criticism of Good Times scripts and the overall direction of the series, plus his “disruptive” presence on set, led to his untimely firing from the sitcom in 1976. Amos has since starred on television in Roots, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The West Wing. He’s also appeared in such films as Let’s Do It Again, Coming to America, Die Hard 2 and Dr. Doolittle 3. (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Jimmie "J.J." Walker - Jimmie “J.J.” Walker's comedic antics, Dy-no-mite catchphrase and ultra slender physique as J.J. Evans made him the breakout star of the series. When the sitcom ended, Walker starred on short-lived series like At Ease and Bustin’ Loose but later made guest star appearances on George Lopez and Everybody Hates Chris. The comic, who worked as a radio host in the 1990s, continues to tour the country today as a standup. Walker released his autobiography, Dyn-o-mite! Good Times, Bad Times, Our Times — A Memoir in 2012. (Photo: WENN)

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Jimmie "J.J." Walker - Jimmie “J.J.” Walker's comedic antics, Dy-no-mite catchphrase and ultra slender physique as J.J. Evans made him the breakout star of the series. When the sitcom ended, Walker starred on short-lived series like At Ease and Bustin’ Loose but later made guest star appearances on George Lopez and Everybody Hates Chris. The comic, who worked as a radio host in the 1990s, continues to tour the country today as a standup. Walker released his autobiography, Dyn-o-mite! Good Times, Bad Times, Our Times — A Memoir in 2012. (Photo: WENN)

Photo By Photo: WENN

Bern Nadette Stanis - TV’s first Black sex symbol kept busy in television long after she played Thelma Evans. Bern Nadette Stanis made guest appearances on What’s Happening Now!, The Cosby Show, The Wayans Bros. and Girlfriends. The married mom of two is also the author of two books, Situations 101: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly and For Men Only. These days, via her website, Stanis gives fans an opportunity to chat with her by phone and she is also a spokesperson for the skin care line Jeunesse.  (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Bern Nadette Stanis - TV’s first Black sex symbol kept busy in television long after she played Thelma Evans. Bern Nadette Stanis made guest appearances on What’s Happening Now!, The Cosby Show, The Wayans Bros. and Girlfriends. The married mom of two is also the author of two books, Situations 101: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly and For Men Only. These days, via her website, Stanis gives fans an opportunity to chat with her by phone and she is also a spokesperson for the skin care line Jeunesse.  (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Ralph Carter: May 30 - The Good Times actor turns 52. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Ralph Carter - Ralph Carter played the Evans' family youngest and militant talking son Michael. The Tony nominated actor, who appeared in the Broadway musical Raisin prior to the sitcom’s premiere, released a single called "Get It Right" in 1985. He also enjoyed a career as a nightclub singer throughout the '80s. In 2005, Carter appeared in the cast of Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death for the Classical Theater of Harlem Company. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

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Ja'Net DuBois - Ja’Net DuBois wasn’t just the Evans’ family sassy neighbor Willona Woods and adoptive mom to daughter Penny, she is also a former model and the composer and singer of The Jeffersons’ catchy theme song, “Movin’ On Up." Post Good Times, DuBois starred on TV in Roots: The Next Generation and The PJs and she also guest starred on The Facts of Life, A Different World, ER and The Wayans Bros. DuBois appeared in such movies as I’m Gonna Git You Sucka and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. (Photo: Nancy Ostertag/Getty Images)

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Ja'Net DuBois - Ja’Net DuBois wasn’t just the Evans’ family sassy neighbor Willona Woods and adoptive mom to daughter Penny, she is also a former model and the composer and singer of The Jeffersons’ catchy theme song, “Movin’ On Up." Post Good Times, DuBois starred on TV in Roots: The Next Generation and The PJs and she also guest starred on The Facts of Life, A Different World, ER and The Wayans Bros. DuBois appeared in such movies as I’m Gonna Git You Sucka and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. (Photo: Nancy Ostertag/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo credit: Nancy Ostertag/Getty Images

Janet Jackson - From 1977 to 1979, Janet Jackson starred as abused neighbor-turned-adoptive daughter Penny Gordon Woods. The iconic superstar has juggled an acting and music career for the past three decades. Jackson released 10 albums and appeared on the TV shows Diff'rent Strokes and Fame. She also starred in the films Nutty Professor II: The Klumps and For Colored Girls. The Grammy-award winner married billionaire Wissam Al Mana in 2012.(Photo: KCS Presse / Splash News)

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Janet Jackson - From 1977 to 1979, Janet Jackson starred as abused neighbor-turned-adoptive daughter Penny Gordon Woods. The iconic superstar has juggled an acting and music career for the past three decades. Jackson released 10 albums and appeared on the TV shows Diff'rent Strokes and Fame. She also starred in the films Nutty Professor II: The Klumps and For Colored Girls. The Grammy-award winner married billionaire Wissam Al Mana in 2012.(Photo: KCS Presse / Splash News)

Johnny Brown - The comedian who starred in the sitcom as Nathan Bookman and was affectionately dubbed “Buffalo Butt,” has stayed busy in television for nearly 40 years. After Good Times ended, Brown could be seen in such series as The Parkers, Everybody Hates Chris and the 2012 and 2013 films In Da Cut The Movie and In Da Cut. (Photo: Fred Prouser /Landov)

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Johnny Brown - The comedian who starred in the sitcom as Nathan Bookman and was affectionately dubbed “Buffalo Butt,” has stayed busy in television for nearly 40 years. After Good Times ended, Brown could be seen in such series as The Parkers, Everybody Hates Chris and the 2012 and 2013 films In Da Cut The Movie and In Da Cut. (Photo: Fred Prouser /Landov)

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Teddy Wilson - As the neighborhood’s enterprising but lethal, sharply-dressed "friendly" loan shark Sweet Daddy Williams, Teddy Wilson hilariously stole several scenes of the Good Times episodes he appeared in. The actor, best known for his melodic speaking voice, worked steadily in television until his death from a stroke on July 21, 1991. Wilson also appeared on TV in The Redd Foxx Show,The Golden Girls, L.A. Law, Dallas and Wings. (Photo: NBC/Tribune/Getty Images)

Moses Gunn - As Carl Dixon, Moses Gunn had the monumental task of trying to fill the shoes vacated by John Amos when he was cast as a love interest for Florida Evans (Rolle). Gunn only appeared during the 1977 season but enjoyed a strong career in television and film following his departure. He starred in Amen, The Women of Brewster Place and Homicide: Life on the Street on TV. The actor also appeared in the movies Ragtime and Leonard Part 6. He died from asthma on December 16, 1993. (Photo: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

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Moses Gunn - As Carl Dixon, Moses Gunn had the monumental task of trying to fill the shoes vacated by John Amos when he was cast as a love interest for Florida Evans (Rolle). Gunn only appeared during the 1977 season but enjoyed a strong career in television and film following his departure. He starred in Amen, The Women of Brewster Place and Homicide: Life on the Street on TV. The actor also appeared in the movies Ragtime and Leonard Part 6. He died from asthma on December 16, 1993. (Photo: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

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Eric Monte - The unsung hero in Black television sitcoms, Eric Monte (along with Mike Evans) created Good Times in 1974. Monte began as a writer on Norman Lear’s trailblazing sitcom All in the Family. Monte later wrote the Black comedy movie classic Cooley High, which served as the basis for the TV series What’s Happening!! In 1977, after suing Lear for stealing his ideas (including the suggestion that Redd Foxx be cast as the star of Sanford and Son), Monte received a settlement for $1 million dollars and was blacklisted from Hollywood for over two decades. He resurfaced as a writer for sitcoms Moesha and The Wayans Bros, battled a drug addiction to cocaine and endured a stint living in a homeless shelter. Since 2006, Monte has been clean and sober and continues to write television and film scripts. (Photo: John D. Kisch/Separate Cinema Archive/Getty Images)

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Eric Monte - The unsung hero in Black television sitcoms, Eric Monte (along with Mike Evans) created Good Times in 1974. Monte began as a writer on Norman Lear’s trailblazing sitcom All in the Family. Monte later wrote the Black comedy movie classic Cooley High, which served as the basis for the TV series What’s Happening!! In 1977, after suing Lear for stealing his ideas (including the suggestion that Redd Foxx be cast as the star of Sanford and Son), Monte received a settlement for $1 million dollars and was blacklisted from Hollywood for over two decades. He resurfaced as a writer for sitcoms Moesha and The Wayans Bros, battled a drug addiction to cocaine and endured a stint living in a homeless shelter. Since 2006, Monte has been clean and sober and continues to write television and film scripts. (Photo: John D. Kisch/Separate Cinema Archive/Getty Images)

Mike Evans - After co-creating Good Times with Eric Monte, Mike Evans returned full-time to his role as Lionel Jefferson on The Jeffersons in 1979. Evans took a three-season hiatus from The Jeffersons to work with the Good Times writing staff. As an actor on television, he appeared on The Richard Pryor Special and the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man. When Evans left The Jeffersons in 1981, he enjoyed a second career in Southern California real estate. On December 14, 2006, he succumbed to throat cancer at the age of 57. (Photo: CBS/Landov)

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Mike Evans - After co-creating Good Times with Eric Monte, Mike Evans returned full-time to his role as Lionel Jefferson on The Jeffersons in 1979. Evans took a three-season hiatus from The Jeffersons to work with the Good Times writing staff. As an actor on television, he appeared on The Richard Pryor Special and the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man. When Evans left The Jeffersons in 1981, he enjoyed a second career in Southern California real estate. On December 14, 2006, he succumbed to throat cancer at the age of 57. (Photo: CBS/Landov)

Good Times - A devout Christian and devoted mother and wife, Esther Rolle's Florida Evans weathered many storms with a look up to the sky in prayer. No matter what her project-habitating family dealt with, they always came out shining in the end. Rolle died November 17, 1998.  (Photo: CBS/Landov)

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Esther Rolle - The role of Florida Evans originally appeared on the Norman Lear-produced series Maude from (1972-1974). But after getting spun off into Good Times, Esther Rolle demanded that Florida be given a husband when Lear initially envisioned the Evans family to be fatherless. After six seasons on the groundbreaking series, Rolle appeared on TV shows like The Love Boat, Fantasy Island and Touched by an Angel. On the big screen, she appeared in Driving Miss Daisy, Rosewood and Down in the Delta. Sadly, Rolle died on November 17, 1998 due to complications from diabetes.  (Photo: CBS/Landov)