Ernest Lee Thomas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
| Ernest Thomas | |
|---|---|
.jpg/220px-Thomas,_Ernest_Lee_(2008).jpg) |
|
| Born | Ernest Lee Thomas March 26, 1950 Gary, Indiana, United States |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1974 - Present |
Ernest Lee Thomas (born March 26, 1950) is an American actor. He was born in Gary, Indiana. He is most famous for his role as aspiring writer Roger "Raj" Thomas on the 1970s sitcom What's Happening!! and its 1980s sequel, What's Happening Now!!.
Ernest began his professional acting career as a Broadway actor, appearing in the 1974 revival production of Love for Love and in the 1975 revival of The Member of the Wedding. Both shows starred actress Glenn Close. Shortly after he moved to LA to pursue a career as a tv/film actor. In the fall of 1975 he received a role on an episode of The Jeffersons. It was during the taping of the show that he learned of an audition for the upcoming comedy sitcom What's Happening!!, loosely based on the 1975 film Cooley High. He eventually went on to win the role of Roger Thomas on the show, which aired for 3 seasons. (1976-1979)
During the shows run Ernest guest starred on other tv shows including Baretta and The Brady Bunch Hour and appeared in the made-for-tv mini series Roots. He also appeared on the silver screen in the 1977 comedy film A Piece of the Action starring Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier.
In the spring of 1979, What's Happening!! was cancelled. After a six year hiatus from tv and film acting, Ernest was asked to resume his role as Roger Thomas in the sequel to What's Happening!!, titled What's Happening Now!!. The renewed show last for 3 seasons, (1985-1988).
Since then, his most prominent appearances have been a supporting role in Malcolm X and a cameo in Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. Over the years, he has also made a number of guest appearances in African-American-themed television shows, including The Parent 'Hood, The Steve Harvey Show, Soul Food, Martin, All About the Andersons, and currently has a recurring role in Everybody Hates Chris. He recently also made a guest appearance in the Nickelodeon series, Just Jordan.
[edit] Trivia
- He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
- Associate professor of theater at Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi.
- Thomas also played a cop on In the Heat of the Night, which coincidentally co-starred Anne-Marie Johnson, who played his TV wife on What's Happening Now.
