‘Jeffersons’ Actor Mike Evans Died Broke and Bitter, Felt Cheated by Norman Lear

Mike Evans died angry that he didn’t get the credit he deserved as a television show writer and co-creator.Photo byCBS Archives/Getty Images

Mike Evans is most known for his role as college student-turned-electrical engineer “Lionel Jefferson” on family-oriented television sitcoms such as The Jeffersons and All in the Family. Both CBS shows had millions of viewers for many seasons and Mike shined in all of his recurring appearances. However, some people don’t know that Mike was a talented writer and the co-creator of the popular 70s show Good Times. His acting career didn’t last long, but the talent he contributed to the industry was far beyond Lionel.

An Inside Look His Life and Career

Mike was born on November 3, 1949, to Theodore Evans (1901-1970) and Annie Sue Evans (1924-2008) in Salisbury, North Carolina, and caught the acting bug while attending high school in Los Angeles. In addition, he studied Drama at Los Angeles City College despite having no acting experience. In his early 20s, he scored his first recurring television role as the free-spirited, unconventional “Lionel Jefferson” in the 70s cult classic show All in the Family, and then reprised his character in the spin-off The Jeffersons. He became a favorite among his fans and even helped him land a job opportunity as a celebrity panelist on The Match Game.

Surprisingly, Mike became a sex symbol among female fans who were attracted to his looks and stern, no-nonsense attitude. He was slightly similar to Lionel but with a more serious edge.

Although Mike never married, he had two daughters, Carlena and Tammie, but was absent from their lives. He was never seen in any Hollywood television shows or films after he finally put his character Lionel to rest. However, he remained a Los Angeles resident and opted to live with his mother while deciding what other industry he was genuinely interested in instead of the cut-throat, competitive entertainment business.

Mike was completely dedicated to real estate and by the early 80s. While he mainly specialized in investments, he also owned residential properties in California.

His Absence from The Jeffersons

According to Good Times star Jimmie Walker, Mike eventually grew dissatisfied with getting minimal screen time and contemplated leaving The Jeffersons. He confronted Norman Lear (1922-2023) and demanded more exposure and wanted the same attention his sitcom mother and father, Isabel Sanford (1917-2004) and Sherman Helmsley (1938-2012) were getting. However, Norman refused and released Mike from his ‘Jeffersons’ contract instead, resulting in Mike leaving the show after season 1. He was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) who assumed the role until Mike’s return for the sixth season. Unfortunately, his second departure during the eighth season was his last and he never reprised his role in the show again.

Ironically, Mike’s character was never formally written out of The Jeffersons, but his last appearance was in a two-part episode that involved the separation of Lionel and Jenny. Lionel was never mentioned by any of the other characters for the rest of the show’s run nor were his whereabouts known. According to Mike’s IMDB filmography, he quit acting after The Jeffersons, and his television writing career ended during the sixth season of Good Times.

His Disdain for Norman Lear Lasted for Years Before His Death

Mike couldn’t stand Norman because he felt Norman stole his creative ideas and passed them off as his own. He died angry about the recognition he didn’t receive for his hard work as a writer and creator.

By the 2000s, Mike developed throat cancer and battled the terminal illness until his death in 2006. He passed away in his mother’s home at 57 years old in Inglewood, California, and was cremated.