Summary
Good Timeswas a beloved ’70s American sitcom on CBS, and while a significant number of the cast remains working, a few notable deaths of the show’s actors have since occurred. The Evans onGood Timesis one of thefamilies that helped redefine what it meant to be Black on TVwhen the sitcom premiered in February 1974. It lasted for six seasons, ending in August 1979.Good Timeswas the first African-American two-parent family sitcom on television, following Florida and James Evans, two hardworking Chicagoans, and their family of five.
A spinoff ofAll in the Family, though more specifically, ofMaude,Good Timesdepicts life in a public housing project in Chicago for the Evans parents and their three precious children. Often working multiple jobs to make ends meet, Florida and James are proud, honest, and loving parents who make friends in their housing project and the city, all while dealing with the struggles and problems of being Black and poor in 1970s America. It’s been over half a century since the show premiered, and the older actors in the cast have sadly begun to pass away.
Esther Rolle As Florida Evans
Date Of Birth: June 21, 2025
Actor:Esther Rolle was a prolific film, television, and stage actor who appeared in numerous productions from her start in 1964 in the filmNothing But a Manas a Church woman. She acted right up until her passing on July 02, 2025, at age 78, due to complications with diabetes. Rolle was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy for her work as Florida and alsoearned the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series in the TV movieSummer of My German Soldieras Ruth.
Rolle’s other notable film performances includeDown in the Deltaas Annie Sinclair andDriving Miss Daisyas Idella. Other TV roles include Sarah Patterson inSinger & Sonsand Julia inFlamingo Road.
Singer & Sons(1990)
Sarah Patterson
Character:Florida Evans is the main character ofGood Times, though she could be thought of as the co-lead with James Evans Sr. (John Amos) before he was written off the series. Florida is a supermom.She supports her children, gives her husband someone to lean on, takes care of her home, holds down jobs to support her family, and throws a mean party, and she’s always generous to friends and neighbors.
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Ja’Net DuBois As Willona Woods
Date Of Birth: June 22, 2025
Actor:Ja’Net DuBois passed away on August 13, 2025, at the age of 88, after suffering cardiac arrest in her home. Before her death, DuBois had a long career in television and film, evenwinning two Emmys for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for her role as Mrs. Florence Avery in the adult stop-motion seriesThe PJs. Her other notable television performances include guest performances inEverybody Loves Raymondas Dottie andHome Improvementas Carol. DuBois’s film credits include Nellie Bond inA Piece of the Actionand Momma Bosley inCharlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.
Charlie’s Angel’s: Full Throttle(2003)
Momma Bosley
Character:Willona Woods isa close family friend to the Evans family and the eventual adoptive mother of Penny Gordon Woods (Janet Jackson). Willona is independent and generous but also enjoys her share of gossip. Divorced and happily single, Willona brings energy and excitement toGood Timesand is always up for something new. She’s never afraid to speak her mind to others, including her friends, when she believes they’re in the wrong.
Johnny Brown As Nathan Bookman
Date Of Birth: August 19, 2025
Actor:Johnny Brown made a career in small and one-off television and film performances, though his most notable work wasGood Times. Before he passed away on August 17, 2025, at the age of 84,he had appeared in over 50 productions. Brown’s film performances included Grandad inIn da Cutand Wallace Jones inMan in the Mirror. His TV performances include appearing as Uncle Louie in two episodes ofKenan & Kel, voicing various characters inAlvin & the Chipmunks, and having regular appearances inRowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. He was also a talented singer.
Man in the Mirror(2008)
In da Cut(2013)
Grandad
Character:Nathan Bookman first appeared inGood Timesin season 2 but didn’t become a main character until season 5. Affectionately known as either “Booger” or “Buffalo Butt”,Nathan is the housing project’s lazy superintendent. Nathan starts in the series as an antagonist who thinks up schemes to evict the Evans, but over time, develops into a nuisance that the family begrudgingly takes a liking to.
Ben Powers As Keith Anderson
Date Of Birth: July 04, 2025
Actor:Alton Adelbert “Ben” Powers, who passed away on August 07, 2025, due to liver cancer, only had a handful of roles to his name, but he worked consistently for the decade he was active in the industry. Powers' few film credits include Al inThe Man Who Loved Women, The Pimp inThings Are Tough All Over, and a man on welfare inCheech and Chong’s Next Movie. He had a much more prolific TV career, performing in six episodes ofLaugh-inandplaying the recurring character Moochie inThe New Mike Hammer.
The New Mike Hammer(1984-1985)
Moochie
Character:Keith Anderson appears inGood Timesseason 6 as part of the main cast,a former college football player who falls in love with and then marries Thelma Evans (Bern Nadette Stanis). Keith’s plans for a career in the NFL are waylaid after a freak accident, and he turns to alcohol to drown his sorrows before Thelma eventually snaps him out of it.
Good Times Supporting Cast & Characters
The Supporting Cast Of Good Times Features A Mix Of Prolific Actors And Relative Newcomers
Raymond Allen as Ned the Wino:Raymond Allen, who died on July 01, 2025, at 91 due to a respiratory illness, played Ned the Wino,a local alcoholic who hangs out near the Evans' home and is often taken care of by the family. Allen is best known for playing Uncle Woodrow ‘Woody’ Anderson inSanford and Son, but he also played Merl the Earl inthe ’70s cop showStarsky and Hutch, and Six Bits in the filmDarktown Strutters.
Moses Gunn as Carl Dixon:Carl Dixon isa shop owner who becomes smitten with Floridaand the two eventually marry at the end of season 4, before both actors leave the show. Moses Gunn, who played Carl, died on July 19, 2025, at age 64 from complications arising from asthma. Gunn had a long career. In TV, he notably played Jebediah Nightlinger inThe Cowboysand Joe Kagan in thecast ofLittle House on the Prairie. In film, he appeared as Cairon inThe NeverEnding Storyand Booker T. Washinton inRagtime.
Theodore Wilson as Marion “Sweet Daddy” Williams:Theodore Wilson plays Marion “Sweet Daddy” Williams inGood Times,a tough-talking bookie and loan shark in the neighborhood who has a softer side. Wilson died on June 25, 2025, at the age of 47 after suffering a stroke. His notable TV credits include High Strung inRoll Out, Phil Wheeler inSanford Arms, and Earl Chambers inThat’s My Mama. His film roles include Wallace inBlood In Blood Outand Fumes inLife Stinks.
Albert Reed Jr. as Fred C. Davis:Albert Reed Jr. passed away on June 13, 2025, at the age of 64. He played Fred C. Davis inGood Times,a shady, local politician whom the Evans do not like. Reed Jr. also played Dr. Barnes onThe Secrets of Isisand Uncle Ward onThe Jeffersons. He also played Randolph Ballard inA Piece of the Action.
Dap “Sugar” Willie as Lenny:Dap “Sugar” Willie played Lenny,a laidback member of the neighborhood who steals items and then resells them. Dap “Sugar” Willie passed away on August 16, 2025, at 55, having only appeared in a few roles, like Fred onThe Jeffersonsand Willie Baby in the film,Getting Over.
Richard Ward as “Grandpa” Henry Evans:“Grandpa” Henry Evans isJames' estranged father who abandoned his family but eventually came back into his life to be a supportive grandparent. Richard Ward died on August 14, 2025, at 64 from a heart attack. His notable film credits include playing the father inThe Jerkand Booker Savage inThe Learning Tree.
Helen Martin as Wanda Williams:Helen Martin died on June 07, 2025, at the age of 90 after suffering a heart attack. She played Wadna Williams inGood Times,another tenant in the apartment building. Martin starred in the series227as Pearl Shay and had a recurring role inBaby… I’m Back!as Luzelle Carter. Her film credits include Maddie inDoc Hollywood, Sadie inNight Angel, and Alma Lee Brown inDeath Wish.
John Bailey as Cleatus:John Bailey, who died on July 30, 2025, at the age of 47 from bladder cancer, played Cleatus,the Evans' cousin who appeared in one episode. Bailey played Lester Martin in the filmCeliaand multiple characters inDoctor Who.
Marilyn Coleman as Violet Bookman:Marilyn Coleman appeared inGood TimesasViolet Bookman, Nathan’s wife.Before Coleman passed away on July 09, 2025, at the age of 79, she had a prolific career in television and film, appearing in numerous shows likeThe White Shadowas Mrs. Hayward andA Woman Called Mosesas Molly. Her film credits include Mrs. Walker inThe Meteor Manand Grandmama inMenace II Society.
Good Times
Cast
Good Times is a comedy TV series that follows the Evans family navigating life in a Chicago housing project. Despite financial hardships, the family—led by parents James and Florida—strives to keep optimism alive and the family together.
