While Janets role of Penny did solidify her career as a child actor, Jimmie also revealed the low-down on that. Walker was nominated for Golden Globe awards Best Supporting Actor In A Television Series in 1975 and 1976 for his role. J.J. Evans in the 1970s sitcom "Good Times," Jimmie Walker maintained his comedic status long after the series ended. I said, Vito, when this cognac thing comes, warm me up, baby. This causes a rift between J.J. and his friends and family, as they all want him to stay in Chicago. Walker enters No Spin Zone", "The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened", The Interviews: An Oral History of Television, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jimmie_Walker&oldid=1150259823, Comedy directed by Boaz Davidson about a talking, Sci-fi horror film written and directed by, Appeared with "fianc" Samantha Stone (Episode #2.65, aired December 26, 1974), Episode: "Bob Hope's All-Star Comedy Tribute to Vaudeville" (S27:E4), Episode: "The Brotherhood of the Sea/Daddy's Pride/. After growing up watching so many memorable shows Monte contributed to, he explained how Monte impacted his life. Jimmie Walker ended up playing a part on a show about a close-knit family, but his TV family -- his co-stars -- were far from close in real life. "The success of a comic is related to how successful he can deal with the audience," said Walker. I dont live for it. Jimmie 'JJ' Walker: 'Good Times' Wasn't Such A Good Time - Groovy History ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Jimmy Walker has Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection that is transmitted by ticks. Born in June 25, 1947, the American actor and comedian portrayed James Evans Jr. ("J.J."), the older son of Florida and James Evans Sr., which ran from 1974 to 1979 on the CBS television series Good Times. It doesn't affect me, I just don't like it. Jimmie went on to discuss the downward spiral of the hit sitcom. It was too tough for him to make that transition -- he had to, because the gay community is such a loud constituency. Jimmie Walker of 'Good Times' Thinks Obama Is Not 'A Good - HuffPost However, the shows co-creator, Eric Monte, has revealed some horrific backstabbing truths about what went down with his earningsand his life afterwards. Ben Powers and a young Janet Jackson were two talented actors who became staples on the show as John Amos and Esther Rolles characters were gradually phased out. But did you know that he also appeared in a number of other popular shows? With political correctness, you can't have issues. Years ago, you could go on Johnny Carson, you could be a star and celebrity. Jimmie Walker's Life after 'Good Times' Ann Coulter Romance Rumors Your login session has expired. Jimmy Walker has Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection that is transmitted by ticks. Be the first one to comment on this story. This man should not be going out like this. [5] Walker was the only Good Times star to not attend Rolle's funeral.[6]. 'Good Times' star Jimmie Walker reveals what went on behind-the-scenes There are 43-year-old comics living with mom and dad. I think the black actor has a tough time being funny from the standpoint of everything being looked upon as 'coonish'. During the show's run, Walker was one of the highest-paid actors on television, earning $350,000 per episode. As wisecracking J.J. Evans on the hit 1970s sitcom Good Times, Jimmie Walker swept the nation with his catchphrase "Dyn-o-mite!" But in his mind, he never became a superstar. He has appeared on many television series, films, talk shows, and realities, where he was able to portray his highly praised acting and abilities to make people laugh. Walker posted a screenshot of a Google page that stated he died on September 18, 2022, and wrote "False" with an arrow pointing to the date of his death. Jimmie Walker, who played J.J. on the '70s sitcom "Good Times," sat down recently for a tell-all interview where he served up the scoop on antics that went on behind the scenes.. The festival's regular admission tickets are $30 per day for adults and free for children under the age of ten. The show was a hit, and Walker became one of the most recognizable faces on television. I was too busy with my stand-up to notice.". Pioneer From the Projects: The 'Dyn-o-mite!' Life of Jimmie Walker She is not a ho. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "As of 2020, JJ from Good Times is still alive. We go up to eat, he said. "She didn't have a lot to do on the show," Walker recalls, "but everywhere I went, guys would go, 'Man, is that Thelma gorgeous." The ever-present single neighbor, Willona, was portrayed by JaNet DuBois. _taboola.push({ That was me. "I think he was damn funny," said Walker. Symptoms of Lyme disease can include fever, headache, fatigue, and a rash. "It's a tougher business now. But the person who is laughing and rolling on the ground in laughter, you just step over them. Although Jimmie Walker may have been left with a bad taste in his mouth surrounding his days onGood Times, it certainly jump-started his career. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What Is Thelma Evans Net Worth? Walker: "You Won't See Another Ethnic Cast", Walker said that there are no sitcoms involving an all-black cast on American television because "an ethnic cast creates too many problems.". How Much Money Does Jimmie Walker Make? Latest Income Salary When he's not writing or spending time with his family, David enjoys playing basketball and golfing. Our family gathering, bonding moments were around that show. He also made guest appearances on several television shows, including The A-Team and Magnum, P.I. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to serious health problems such as joint pain, heart problems, and neurological problems. Chloe and Papi Return in Beverly Hills Chihuahua 4! Norman says, What does that mean? I go, Norman, its an energy of the moment thing. He says, You know, there was a line in this show that I will go to my dying day thinking was the worst, stupidest line Ive ever heard of in my life. But, despite his obvious talent, unfortunately, he wasnt compensated properly. This is likely because of the difference in their characters on the show. He soon caught the attention of producers Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin, who cast him in Good Times. Walker was no teenager on the show, being 27-years-old when it debuted. In 2012, he released his first book the autobiography Dynomite: Good, Bad, Our Times. American actor and comedian Jimmie Walker has an estimated net worth of $500 thousand dollars, as of 2023. He also said that he was against gay marriage on moral grounds, but believed its legalization should be passed, stating it was not worth fighting against. John is a good actor, a solid actor, said Jimmie. See details below, With his contributions toGood Times,Whats Happening, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, The Cosby Show, and the classic movie, Cooley High,Montes talent definitely speaks for itself. And I think it was just this show, this situation, that was against anything and everything he believed in. He symbolized the 70s American dream of success -- the former kid from the ghetto who rose to wisecracking TV superstardom. Tormund Giantsbane: The Wildling Who Cheated Death, Using Betadine to Keep Your Dogs Skin Healthy, The Dark Side of Wealth: Examining the Cruel Character of Tom Buchanan. Hosted by Amazon.com. In 1975, while working occasionally as an on-air radio personality for the R&B music station KAGB 103.9 FM, he made his film debut in Sidney Poitiers action/crime film Lets Do It Again. To Jimmie, it seemed as if Good Times wasnt good enough for the rising actor. During the shows run, Walker was one of the highest-paid actors on television, earning $350,000 per episode. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Jimmie Walker is an American actor and comedian best known for his role as James Evans Jr., or "J.J.", on the CBS television sitcom Good Times, which ran from 1974 to 1979. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". (1980), Water (1985), Doin' Time (1985), The Guyver (1991), Monster Mash (1995) and Plump Fiction (1997). Death rumors debunked. It was interesting to note that at the time, many white families had no idea that family is family and that we all have the same struggles. Or someone who once got their start opening community rallies for the militant Black Panthers and now clasps conservative traits. He was the star of the show and made a lot of money from syndication. In creator Norman Lear's pioneering show, Walker played J.J. Evans, the . You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Is JJ From Good Times Still Alive? Jimmie Walker ended up playing a part on a show about a close-knit family, but his TV family -- his co-stars -- were far from close in real life. Jul 12, 2012, 01:49 PM EDT | Updated Jul 12, 2012. "When you think of pioneers," said Walker, "it's usually applied to Davey Crockett, or Daniel Boone, or Lewis and Clark. Please logout and login again. Co-stars Esther Rolle and John Amos lambasted Walker's character in the press, and Rolle and Amos openly complained that he was a pathetic role model for black teenagers. Walker lights 'Dy-no-mite' on gay marriage, Leno and dating", "Was Jimmie Walker getting along with Esther Rolle and John Amos on the set? target_type: 'mix' While in his Jun 26, 2019 04:46 P.M. Best known as "Dynomite!". Jimmie Walker said John Amos and Esther Rolle were not his 'friends' Jimmie Walker, the actor who portrayed the hugely popular character J.J. Evans on the show, told the Television Academy. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The event will feature performances by the Queen of Bluegrass, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, Joe Nichols, and more. Photos Courtesy of Jimmie Walker. Jimmie 'JJ' Walker - IMDb Walker is on the road doing his standup routine about 45 weeks out of the year. According to an appearance on The Wendy Williams Show on June 27, 2012, Walker stated he has never been married nor fathered children, but has had many girlfriends. Walker felt that his co-star BernNadette Stanis could have gone the same route; he'd heard tremendous enthusiasm from the show's male fans. When Walker pitched the idea to the production company, he met immediate resistance from Norman Lear and Amos. Theres so many people that dislike you all the time, so when somebody loves anything that you do, you go Yes! "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What Is Captain Kirk Worth? According to one star, they were neer friends. This is an entertainmentwebsite with estimated net worths and opinions about various people who we consider genius. Walker recalls working with certain white TV actresses of the day -- Heather Thomas of The Fall Guy, and Farrah Fawcett of Charlie's Angels -- who'd boosted their fame with pinup posters. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. He's also promoting his book, DYN-O-MITE! After winning the settlement, Monte decided to invest his money in other projects. They were also constantly harassed by their neighbor, Willona Woods. Leno is talented, but he has done a tremendous injustice to the comedy community. No bitchin'. Walker's catchphrase "Dy-no-mite!" became a nationally known slogan in the 1970s. My time was very powerful, and I guess it left a dramatic influence." They dont get it, man. In fact, the former J.J. actor admitted he doesnt remember ever having an actual conversation with his co-star, Esther Rolle. I think that [my co-stars] killed the goose that laid the golden egg. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. He was a five-time panelist on the Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour from 1983 to 1984. Walker was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in The Bronx, New York. Your culture and entertainment cheat-sheet. He started out as a kid born in the Bronx who fought his way to the top. When you look at the influence of our show, and what I did, it's crazy. Walker's death rumors went viral a few days ago after a few Twitter posts. He symbolized the 70s American dream of success -- the former kid from These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The show gave people what they wanted. After the show ended, Walker continued to work as a stand-up comedian and appeared in several films and television shows. Despite his financial difficulties, Walker continues to perform stand-up comedy and makes occasional appearances on television. As the character JJ Evans on Good Times, famous for dropping the catchphrase "Dyn-O-Mite!," actor and standup comedian Jimmie Walker became one of the best-loved sitcom stars in the mid-'70s. From what Jimmie Walker said, it seems that he and Esther Rolle did not get along. The family struggled to make ends meet and often had to rely on public assistance to get by. No way. $190 million in total Who is Ralph Carter married to? David is passionate about quality-focused journalism and has worked in the publishing industry for over 10 years. He always has to be the smartest person, the owner of the corporation, or the best in school. Richard Karn, Debbe Dunning, Ryan Hurst, Mark Boone Jr., Michael Irby, Greg Evigan, Allan Kayser, Gregg Binkley, Duane "Dog" Chapman, and Ernie "Turtleman" Brown Jr. will all make appearances at the concert. Jimmie Walker Now: See What the Actor Has Been up to Since Good Times! That is how it was. Jimmie Walker appeared on Good Times in 1974. The father, James Evans, was a widower who worked as a janitor to support his family. Comedian Jimmie Walker didn't initially take his dyn-o-mite role as James "J.J." Evans in "Good Times" seriously. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Jimmie “J.J.” Walker is probably best knwn as the the rubber-faced comedian who made famous the catchphrase “dyn-o-mite!” on the popular 1970s sitcom “Good Times.”"}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How Old Is Thelma Evans? Thats right, Jimmie Walker has guest-starred on some of televisions most beloved programs. In 2011, he appeared in a Syfy channel movie Super Shark. Brian D'Ambrosio is a journalist, poet and author. So Im there and Im just sitting around, you know., Walker described the words J.J. used to pursue the young lady: You know, Eiffel Tower, beret, trying to do my French thing, trying to get in there., At the end of his romantic discourse, Walker said, I come up with a thing and I loved it. Is Jimmie Walker from Good Times alive? Death rumors debunked - Sportskeeda Were not doing it.'. In 2012, it was reported that he owed over $4 million in back taxes to the IRS. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ecD-qY8tSqRi3RVF6pIzmA',sig:'WLX0uLA-wmqbJ_KkOcPVzOxT_bsVrYenT-5X11zN1pk=',w:'420px',h:'594px',items:'865192146',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Back in the day, when Good Times dominated television, many fans probably thought the Evans family dynamic was pretty typical. What I live for is: undefined. We believe that family edutainment should be engaging, inspiring and always on trend so that every member of the family can benefit from it! I'm a comic who lucked into a good thing. I grew up in the 70s looking at that show. Florida's 2nd husband on Good Times, Carl Dixon, succumbed to lung cancer and is referenced briefly in Season 6. Walker told Lear he would bet him that it would work. He said: Walker shared the same screenshot with a new caption in which he stated that he was fine and had no idea where the news was coming from. Walker is most famous for playing James Evans Jr. ("J.J.") on the CBS sitcom "Good Times". In retrospect, he is humbled by his association with Lear and the director's approach of showcasing a black family facing deep-seeded problems in inner-city Chicago. After nearly a decade of focusing on radio and stand up comedy, Walker made his return to acting in the 2019 television specials Live in Front of a Studio Audience. The video was titled "Jimmie Walker Passed Away A Few Minutes Ago At His Home. In the 1980s, Walker appeared in a number of films, including Airplane!, The Jerk, and For the Boys. For some people, though, the Stephen Colbert niche doesn't work at all. In 1987, he became a main cast member of the short-lived MCA sitcom Bustin Loose, which had only one season and 26 episodes featuring Walker as the protagonist. It was, Alright, my dear, Ill see you at the Kool and the Gang concert on Friday night, que sera sera, bon ami, and cognac. The actor gave Lear kudos for admitting at the casts meal together after the show that he had been in the wrong and for validating Walker in front of the cast and crew. $800,000 in net worth Gender:Male 6 feet. Walker shined his brightest as James "J.J." Evans Jr. on the successful television series "Good Times." The show popularized his inimitable smirk and face, and added his catch phrase "Dyn-o-mite!" to the groovy lexicon of the 1970s. He never been a problem on any other show.. While Jimmie and John Amos have a better relationship now, headmits things werent so great when the show was at its popularity peak. Because she laid out her side of whatever so much, that the writer said Weve got to do something to get her off our backs.. Despite failing to make millions of dollars during his long career (which spanned over five decades), Walker became a true sensation in America. Walker portrayed James Evans Jr. ("J.J."), the older son of Florida and James Evans Sr., on the CBS television series Good Times, which ran from 1974 to 1979, and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1975 and 1976 for his role. During a previous interview with Soul Train, Monte revealed he had to take legal action to be compensated for Good Times. In 1977, he filed a lawsuit due to contract discrepancies with the show. [Archive] - Sitcoms Online Message Boards - Forums", "Something I Bet You Didn't KnowEsther Rolle Wanted "J.J." off Good Times! He won a Golden Globe in 1976 for his work on the show, and his catchphrase Dy-no-mite! became one of the most popular phrases of the 1970s. Jimmie Walker is an actor, comedian, and producer best known for his role as J.J. Evans on the sitcom Good Times. But, even after winning a settlement, he still didnt receive all he deserved. He continued to appear on Good Times until the show ended in 1979. ', The final word, cognac, was said by Walker with great emphasis and verve as cone-YAKKK., Except Lear hated it. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', He symbolized the 70s American dream of success -- the former kid from the ghetto who rose to wisecracking TV superstardom. He said that he modeled "J.J." after Art Carney's portrayal of Ed Norton on The Honeymooners. Jimmie believes Janet Jackson would have never been part of the show if it werent for ongoing complaints. Walker was born in The Bronx, New York City, on June 25, 1947. How many times can Morgan Freeman play the president? The ethnic is never going to be played in a negative light anymore. Walker told Lear he would bet him that it would work. I found out about a lot of the complaints when the book (he released a biography in 2012) was being researched. Dunkin also explained why he believes so many people should be able to relate to Monte: Hell be living in an affordable home with social services geared to help folks who are rebounding, Dunkin said. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. "If you receive a standing ovation, you are conditioned to find that one person who didn't like anything you did, and you remember them. A year of crack cocaine abuse robbed him of money, dignity and a circle of Hollywood friends. The 'Good Times' Star Who Was 'Blinded' by Their Ego, According to a target_type: 'mix' Jimmie Walker is an American actor and comedian, best known for his role as J.J. Evans on the CBS sitcom Good Times. He is played by Jimmie Walker and is now in his 70s. JJ Walker Net Worth - James Evans Jr. Of The Good Times Made Us Laugh The middle child, Thelma, was a sweet and innocent girl. Nowadays, you have to embrace it and say, 'I'm with you.' However, the show's co-creator, Eric Monte, has revealed some horrific backstabbing truths about what went down with his earnings and his life afterwards. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Flo left Good Times beause she was unhappy with the direction the show was going in. ", Walker doesn't shy away from politics and his feelings that Barack Obama "is not the right man for the job" and that he is "not into the gay thing.". Jimmie Walker will be participating in the Hazzard Fest which will be held at the Greene County Fairgrounds for two days from Friday, September 23 to Saturday, 24, 2022. That was our building.. Walker began performing comedy in local nightclubs while still in high school. But I guess there are different sets of pioneers.". He just really pushed it. If you remember the show, it was about the Evanses, a tight-knit, African American family struggling to make ends meet and get by in this world. For six seasons, actor and comedian Jimmie Walker won hearts on the '70s CBS series, "Good Times," featuring as the comedy center, JJ Evans. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "According to Celebrity Net Worth, Captain Kirk (William Shatner) is worth $100 million. In 1969, Walker began performing as a stand-up comedian and was eventually discovered by the casting director for Good Times, after making appearances on Rowan & Martin's Laugh In and on the Jack Paar Show. You usually don't consider a pioneer as someone raised in the razor-wire, graffiti-strewn projects of the South Bronx. He started performing as a stand-up . But as far as the success of Good Times, it was all Norman Lear. Jimmie Walker Net Worth - Wealthy Genius Jimmie 'JJ' Walker Disses 'Good Times' Cast: 'We Were Never Friends' Heres to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you cant do is ignore them because they change things and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do. Steve Jobs, 1997. to the groovy lexicon of the 1970s. Walker is best known for portraying James Evans Jr., the oldest son of Florida and James Evans Sr. His next book, 'Warriors in the Trenches,' detailing the lives and careers of 30 legendary boxers, entertainment wrestlers, football players, musicians and actors, will be available in the fall. No. Towards the late years of the 20th century, he worked mainly as a guest and supporting actor on more than 20 television projects Badge 373, The Larry Sanders Show, The Drew Carey Show, Star Dates, Everybody Hates Chris, and George Lopez to name a few. Jimmie Walker appeared in 133 episodes of Good Times. He calls himself an outcast among black people for harboring such conservative beliefs as supporting the death penalty and believing affirmative action has outlived its utility. Nothing that we say constitutes fact. "You have to know what the people are thinking. There was Fonzie on Happy Days with his Heyyyyy!, Arnold Jackson on Diffrent Strokes with Whatchu talkin bout, Willis?, and of course, J.J. Evans Dy-no-mite!. According to Jimmie, the vast majority of the cast barely interacted with each other at all when they werent filming. "There are no jobs, things are not good.". It's just not what I believe in. Although JJ provided much of the comedic relief, according to him, it wasnt always, DYN-O-MITE! This is the term JJ used to describe everything from his love life to himself in general. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', They will have to kick me out -- and they will.". The public wanted him that way and the role just got bigger. Now the show is secondary because everyone is waiting. His final roles as a full-time actor came in the films Big Money Rustlas and Super Shark from the early 2010s. [8] In an interview with CNN, Walker described himself politically as a "realist independent" and stated that he opposed affirmative action, saying that it had outlived its usefulness. That is not necessarily how he felt about Good Times. After three seasons, John Amos was fired from Good Times and despite his alleged beliefs about the show, the show ultimately went on without him. He was born in Madison, Wisconsin and currently resides in Anaheim, California, Emmanuel Lewis 13 Facts About His Career And Life, 12 Interesting Facts About Caitlin McHugh Family & Career, Embeth Davidtz 12 Facts About Her Biography & Movies, 11 Facts About Balthazar Getty Life, Career, Family, Bart Freundlich 10 Facts About Julianne Moores Husband, 14 Facts About Brandi Cyrus Miley Cyrus Half Sister. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.