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'Good Times' was a classic sitcom that aired from 1974-1979 on CBS. The show was a spin-off of the another classic, 'Maude,' which was itself a spin-off of the classic 'All in the Family.' Yes, the 1970s were the golden age of spin-offs.![Cast of 'Good Times']()
'Good Times' told the story of the Evans', a poor family making the best of their situation in the Chicago projects. The Evans' were mother Florida (Esther Rolle), father James (John Amos), and their three children, J.J. (Jimmie Walker) Thelma (Bern Nadette Stanis) and Michael (Ralph Carter).![Then: John Amos]()
John Amos was already well-known for his role as Gordy Howard, the weatherman on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," when he was cast as James Evans on "Maude," and then "Good Times." James often struggled with periods of unemployment, and Amos was unhappy with that and many of the show's other storylines, so he quit the show after the third season. His character died in a work-related accident in the first episode of the fourth season.![Now: John Amos]()
Amos, now 69, has been anything but unemployed after leaving "Good Times." He had a role in the Emmy-winning mini-series “Roots,” and guest-starred on a number of shows including "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "The West Wing,"" My Name is Earl," "Psych,"" Men in Trees," and many more. He currently has three films in the works.![Then: Jimmie Walker]()
Jimmie Walker was a struggling stand-up comedian when he landed his break-out role as girl-crazy oldest child J.J. Evans, a fan favorite who became known for his famous catchphrase "Dy-no-mite!" In the annals of TV catch phrases, "Dy-no-mite!" is perhaps eclipsed only by Arnold Jackson's "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?" on "Diff'rent Strokes."![Now: Jimmie Walker]()
Walker, now 62, struggled to escape from the shadow of his iconic character, and finally went back to doing stand-up comedy a few years after the series ended. He has also made a number of TV guest appearances, including a recurring role on "Everybody Hates Chris." Walker continues to work the stand-up comedy club circuit and makes regular appearances on late night talk shows.![Then: Bern Nadette Stanis]()
Bern Nadette Stanis played strong-willed middle child Thelma Evans, often the voice of reason in the cacaphony that was the Evans household, especially when it came to big brother JJ.![Now: Bern Nadette Stanis]()
After the series ended, Stanis, now 55, had guest roles on "What's Happening Now!," "The Cosby Show," "The Wayans Brothers," "Parenthood," and more. She has also appeared in several small films.![Then: Ralph Carter]()
Ralph Carter played youngest child Michael Evans, the family's political activist.![Now: Ralph Carter]()
Carter, 48, pretty much retired from acting after the show ended, only appearing on TV for "Good Times" specials and reunions.![Then: Janet Jackson]()
Janet Jackson played good kid Millicent "Penny" Gordon Woods, the daughter of neighbor Willona Woods. Her character was introduced in Season 5 and stayed on until the end of the series.![Now: Janet Jackson]()
Uh, yeah. Jackson, now 43, could be considered the most successful "Good Times" alum. When the series ended, she starred in "A New Kind of Family" and then joined the cast of "Diff'rent Strokes." After that, well, she became one of the best-selling female pop singers in the world, and became known as the "normal Jackson." She was strong but reticent during her brother Michael's recent death, breaking her silence in the October issue of Harper's Bazaar.![Then: Ja' net Dubois]()
Ja'net Dubois played the sitcom staple, a sassy, wisecracking neighbor, named Willona Woods. Before that, Ja'net had a number of guest roles. Her role as Juanita on the series "Sanford and Son" led to her being cast on "Good Times."![Now: Ja'net Dubois]()
Ja'net, 64, continues to work regularly in Hollywood, including guest roles on "ER," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Cold Case," "Crossing Jordan," and more. She has also won two Emmys for her voiceover work on the animated show 'The PJ's," which ran from 1999-2001.![Then: Esther Rolle]()
Esther Rolle was an accomplished theater actress before making the transition to the small screen as Florida Evans, one of the coolest TV names ever. Her character was first introduced as a housekeeper on the sitcom "Maude." Like John Amos before her, feeling unhappy with some of the show's storylines, Esther left "Good Times," but was persuaded to return after a year hiatus for the final season.![Esther Rolle: 1920-1998]()
After the series ended, Esther performed in a number of successful made-for-TV movies and feature films including "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" (1979), "Driving Miss Daisy" (1989), and My Fellow Americans (1996). Esther's health began to fail in the 90's and she passed away on November 17, 1998 at the age of 78 due to complication from diabetes. The entire cast of "Good Times" attended her funeral.
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- Then/Now: Cast of 'Good Times'
