On Monday, September 19, 2022, a Twitter user announced that he had died the day before, and those who saw the post began sharing it on their social media, eventually making it viral news. Walker explained in a conversation with the Television Academy Foundation that for Lear, there was no such thing as a laugh for a laughs sake. Jimmie Walker made a lot of money from Good Times. These people, anytime you said anything, they get crazy, they get upset. 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/. Actor: Good Times. While on the show, Walker's character used the catchphrase "Dyn-O-Mite!" Following the series' demise, however, reality again checked in. Rolle and Amos came from acting backgrounds, and they may have felt upstaged by Walker, who had the funniest lines and punctuated them like he would in a club. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". For some people, though, the Stephen Colbert niche doesn't work at all. 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. What I live for is: undefined. While the television family was very close and supportive of one another, that wasnt the case once the cameras stopped rolling. Ive been on the road since 1967. Jimmie Walker. Jimmie Walker on Good Times, Guyver fans, and kicking Penny Marshall's ass So, how much did Jimmie Walker make per episode of Good Times? According to its executive producer Norman Lear, the viewers were the only ones enjoying the show that he called an agony to produce. This is likely because of the difference in their characters on the show. J.J.s popularity with the largely Black audiences that came to the tapings was a friendly, joyful distraction to the company, but a great annoyance to our stars. Walker told Lear he would bet him that it would work. Tokay Gecko: Benefits and Challenges of Keeping this Feisty Reptile, Finding the Right Feeding Time for Your Dog. Jimmie Walker is famous for his role of JJ (James Evans Jr.) in Good Times. Good Times was on the air from 1974-79, and it was a quality show with a great cast. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', Gay marriage is coming in, and I am not for it, I don't believe in it. But did you know that he also appeared in a number of other popular shows? It introduced a new generation of viewers to African American characters and stories, and it continues to be beloved by fans all over the world. "The purest guy was Stokely Carmichael," said Walker. At that time, he impressed the casting director and producers of Good Times so he was given a leading role in the CBS sitcom that skyrocketed his name. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. After years of struggling due to all of the disheartening events that occurred during his career, Monte received a major opportunity from an unlikely person. It doesn't affect me, I just don't like it. The family struggled to make ends meet and often had to rely on public assistance to get by. Jimmie went on to offer an example of how real the gap was between him and his co-stars. Jimmie Walker on Relationship between 'Good Times' Co - AmoMama They greenlit a number of shows that featured African American characters and stories, including Good Times, The Jeffersons, and Maude. popular urban-styled sitcom, - IMDb Mini Biography By: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net, Was 26 years old when he started playing teenager J.J. Evans on, He revealed that he did not have a very good relationship with, As of 2017, he has never been married nor had any children. He is played by Jimmie Walker and is now in his 70s. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The ethnic is never going to be played in a negative light anymore. 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. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jimmie Walkers net worth is $8 million. Please logout and login again. I think the same basically goes for John. But, despite his obvious talent, unfortunately, he wasnt compensated properly. Walker's death rumors went viral a few days ago after a few Twitter posts. All the shows go quietly, like a 'Mike and Molly.' Now the show is secondary because everyone is waiting. Sometimes you get to the top and slide right back down again. He wanted to return the favor. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "From what Jimmie Walker said, it seems that he and Esther Rolle did not get along. Walker, who is currently in his early 70s, doesn't pull punches -- perhaps it's his standup comedy heritage that makes him such a truth-teller. We believe that family edutainment should be engaging, inspiring and always on trend so that every member of the family can benefit from it! He continued to appear on television and in films throughout the 1980s and 1990s, but never achieved the same level of success as he did with Good Times. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Jimmy Walker has Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection that is transmitted by ticks. The show was a hit, and Walker became one of the most recognizable faces on television. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. No matter what Walker says or does from here on, there will always be those situations when he will need to correct people when they call him "J.J." and not Jimmie. After the show ended, he struggled to find steady work and was even homeless for a time. This difference in personality probably led to some tension between the two actors. Our content is designed to be personal, curated and relevant for each family, regardless of their age or interests. Episode: "If Your Number's Up, Get It Down" (S3:E3), Episode: "The Beautiful Skeptic/The Lost Platoon" (S6:E6), Episode: Season 4 Episode 20 The Flip Side, Episodes: "My Bad" (S 1:Ep 6), and "My Blind Date" (S1:E12), Episode: Dubya, Dad, and Dating (Part 1) (S3: E1), Episodes: "Everybody Hates Funerals" (S1:E14), "Everybody Hates Gambling" (S2:E19), and "Everybody Hates the Port Authority" (S3:E11), This page was last edited on 17 April 2023, at 04:12. He has a keen interest in education and loves to write kids friendly content. JJ Walker Net Worth - James Evans Jr. Of The Good Times Made Us Laugh Is Jimmie Walker from Good Times alive? Death rumors debunked - Sportskeeda After we were off the air, there was no other predominantly black cast until The Cosby Show. In the show, J.J. woos a friend of his teenaged sister Thelma played by Bern Nadette Stanis while the two are doing their French homework. He has been critical of Jay Leno for not lending other comics a helping spotlight. "You have to know what the people are thinking. He soon caught the attention of producers Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin, who cast him in Good Times. Total kill monster line., Rob Reiner on His Infamous All in the Family Nickname I Could Win the Nobel Prize, Theyll Say, Meathead Wins Nobel. I dont live for it. In the past, Celeb TV has spread death rumours about celebrities such as Naomi Campbell, Jamie Foxx, Shaquille O'Neal, and others. Jimmie Walker left an indelible mark in the history of television with his portrayal of J.J, the oldest son of the Evans family, in the '70s sitcom "Good Times." Despite the show's success, the cast didn't get along with Walker, as he revealed years later. At that time, he was given a silver dollar by the MLB professional baseball player Mickey Mantle, which to this day he still has. Following the series' demise, however, reality again checked in. As the jive-talkin' aspiring artist, Walker stole the show. Good times -- and bad - Chicago Tribune He started performing as a stand-up . Walker told Lear he would bet him that it would work. He eventually released one stand-up comedy album during the height of his Good Times popularity: Dyn-o-mite on Buddah Records (5635). The video was titled "Jimmie Walker Passed Away A Few Minutes Ago At His Home. 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. Pioneer From the Projects: The 'Dyn-o-mite!' Life of Jimmie Walker But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Jimmie Walkers salary on Good Times was $200,000 per episode. 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. The one-worded line drove the Good Times studio audience wild with laughter, but the same could not be said for Walkers cast mates, particularly Esther Rolle and John Amos who played his parents Florida and James Evans. Attempts to sell a self-published book drained the last of his savings. While he no longer appears regularly on television or in films, he continues to perform stand-up comedy and makes occasional appearances at public events. In today's dollars, that would be over $1 million per episode.Walker's career began in the early 1960s when he . Sometimes, the people you work with feel like a family, and sometimes they really don't. No one comic broke out from that show he did. Jimmie Walker, who played breakout character J.J., has said that, when it came to two other members of the main cast, he barely knew anything about them, they "never talked," and they were "never friends." Walker, now 75, starred on the series for all six of its seasons, from 1974 to 1979, as the eldest Evans child. Since that decade, he has been consistently working as a radio host and personality for the stations WHIO, WLS, WOAI, and KKAR. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I'm a populist. I think that [my co-stars] killed the goose that laid the golden egg. The show popularized his inimitable smirk and face, and added his catch phrase "Dyn-o-mite!" He has appeared in numerous films and television shows over the years, and continues to perform stand-up comedy to this day. James Carter Walker Jr. (born June 25, 1947) is an American actor and comedian. 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. He continued to appear on Good Times until the show ended in 1979. 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. Walker, who is currently in his early 70s, doesn't pull punches -- perhaps it's his standup comedy heritage that makes him such a truth-teller. Jimmie believes Janet Jackson would have never been part of the show if it werent for ongoing complaints. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. "Good Times" Show Made Millions But Many Surprised By How Much The Show He was recently interviewed by the Television Academy, and his insights about Good Times and his castmates are eye-opening. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Is Jimmie Walker from Good Times alive? [3] He attended Theodore Roosevelt High School in New York City. He played the role on the CBS television series Good Times, which ran from 1974 to 1979. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to serious health problems such as joint pain, heart problems, and neurological problems. I said, Vito, when this cognac thing comes, warm me up, baby. [Archive] - Sitcoms Online Message Boards - Forums", "Something I Bet You Didn't KnowEsther Rolle Wanted "J.J." off Good Times! For me, yes; for Norman, no. Saying that Dynomite! had become the bane of Lears existence, another battle reared its head when Walker insisted on using a line in one specific episode. Obama surrendered to it and surrendered his views. In the 1990s, Walker returned to his radio roots hosting shows on WHIO, WOAI, WLS, and KKAR. In 1967, Walker began working full-time with WRVR, the radio station of the Riverside Church. Symptoms of Lyme disease can include fever, headache, fatigue, and a rash. I grew up on Good Times. Thats me. He just really pushed it. $800,000 in net worth Gender:Male 6 feet. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 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. ", 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.". This man should not be going out like this. Hes played himself on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and appeared on an episode of The Love Boat. In 1967, he began working full time with the WRVR, a radio station based in the Riverside Church. 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. The Blog Digger team is on a mission to open minds and ignite a love of learning in families all over the world. Jimmie 'JJ' Walker - IMDb iloveoldschoolmusic.com. Brian D'Ambrosio is a journalist, poet and author. You usually don't consider a pioneer as someone raised in the razor-wire, graffiti-strewn projects of the South Bronx. "Obama and the government are fibbing to us all of the time," said Walker. The festival's regular admission tickets are $30 per day for adults and free for children under the age of ten. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "As of 2020, JJ from Good Times is still alive. As a young man, Walker was a vendor at Yankee Stadium, starting with the 1964 World Series. Walker, who was cast as "J.J." without an audition based on his comedy act, said that he has still never watched a full episode of the series. Walker has made guest appearances on Badge 373, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, The Larry Sanders Show, Son of the Beach, The Drew Carey Show, The John Larroquette Show, In the House, Cagney & Lacey, The Fall Guy, Scrubs, Star Dates, Everybody Hates Chris, George Lopez, Chelsea Lately and Lincoln Heights. 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. We've all had good jobs and bad. His brashness made him not palatable to the commercial world.". Jimmie Walker in 1974. Leno is talented, but he has done a tremendous injustice to the comedy community. He doesn't get tired of "dyn-o-mite!" Exploring the Prehistoric World of Gorgosaurus! He never been a problem on any other show.. David is passionate about quality-focused journalism and has worked in the publishing industry for over 10 years. Another possibility is that Good Times was created by the network that aired it, CBS. Florida's 2nd husband on Good Times, Carl Dixon, succumbed to lung cancer and is referenced briefly in Season 6. He focused on issues of right and wrong, there were episodes of senior citizens eating dog food, drug addiction, and pregnancy out of wedlock -- that was all Norman Lear. He always has to be the smartest person, the owner of the corporation, or the best in school. 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.. The popular situation comedy Good Times enjoyed great ratings in the 1970s. Walker appeared on The O'Reilly Factor on July 11, 2012. Walker's big break came in 1974 when he was cast as J.J. Evans on the hit sitcom Good Times. Your login session has expired. He used the funds to promote his playIf They Ever Come Back. However, things didnt go according to plan because the publics response was nothing like he expected. VIP passes are $150, and there will be food available at the location. In one instance, Jimmie Walker who portrayed viewer favorite J.J. Evans had a gut feeling about a line in a show script that Lear vehemently was against. "There are no jobs, things are not good.". "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What Is Thelma Evans Net Worth? (1980), Water (1985), Doin' Time (1985), The Guyver (1991), Monster Mash (1995) and Plump Fiction (1997). Jimmie Walker is an American actor and comedian, best known for his role as J.J. Evans on the CBS sitcom Good Times. John Amos, the actor who portrayed Walker's father on Good Times, was actually just eight years older than Walker. While the Evans family projected a loving and supportive front, it was a distinctly chilly set. How Much Money Does Jimmie Walker Make? Latest Income Salary "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What Is Captain Kirk Worth? I found out about a lot of the complaints when the book (he released a biography in 2012) was being researched. "The venues are drying up, and I put this on Leno," said Walker. Walker appeared on The Tonight Show and Match Game during the 1970s and early 1980s. Apparently, the writers created the role of Pennyafter ongoing complaints from JaNet DuBois. Are Comedian Jimmie Walker's Unexpected Death Rumors True? Dissatisfaction led Amos (before Rolle), to leave the show, making Walker the star of the show. But the person who is laughing and rolling on the ground in laughter, you just step over them. Each of these individuals brought their own unique perspective to the show and helped to shape its distinct voice. Hes even had cameos on popular shows like Magnum P.I. | 6Minutez.com", "Jimmie 'J.J.' Jimmie Walker is an American actor and comedian who has a net worth of $800 thousand. Finally! Even if it means the dyn-o-mite thing. Jimmie Walker. The ever-present single neighbor, Willona, was portrayed by JaNet DuBois. All Rights Reserved. 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. Thats right, Jimmie Walker has guest-starred on some of televisions most beloved programs. However, he believes his castmates weren't appreciative of being on a hit show. Brian D'Ambrosio lives in Montana. No bitchin'. We are all one or two months away from being an Eric Monte.. Jimmie revealed he was shot down completely when he made suggestions. See details below These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Jimmie Walker Net Worth | Celebrity Net Worth Our family gathering, bonding moments were around that show. Norman says, What does that mean? I go, Norman, its an energy of the moment thing. which Rich insisted Walker say on every episode. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Florida's 2nd husband on Good Times, Carl Dixon, succumbed to lung cancer and is referenced briefly in Season 6. Walker said that there is no such thing as a happy comic, for the comic feeds on his own insecurity and self-doubt. "I think our show would have rolled along, lasted longer, and been better if everybody had just chilled out and let it happen.". As much as the young actor was pulling in the ratings and audience for the comedy, his two co-stars simply could not bear him, and Lear stated that this friction made the set a difficult place to work. Wishing Eric Monte continued success and positive energy as he continues to rebuild his life and career. In the 1980s, Walker appeared in a number of films, including Airplane!, The Jerk, and For the Boys. There is no such thing as a happy comic. I think the black actor has a tough time being funny from the standpoint of everything being looked upon as 'coonish'. Good Times, Bad Times, Our Times A Memoir, was published. You know, because youre doing the French thing and then you lay the cone-YAK on them and that takes it over. He says, Thats the stupidest thing Ive ever seen. If you need to flag this entry as abusive. Little choices become big fruitions. I asked about Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, and Whats Happening. They said, nothing.'. They dont get it, man. He continued his studies and entered the field of radio engineer with WRVR thanks to a federal program titled SEEK (Search for Evaluation, Education, and Knowledge). He soon began appearing on television shows, including The Hollywood Squares and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. "As soon as I was done filming, I'd go out to perform at a comedy club, do my show. When you look at the influence of our show, and what I did, it's crazy. 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. Disclaimer: the estimates and thoughts on this site are only opinions, not facts, view terms. Here's Where Jimmie Walker from the 'Good Times' Show Is Now By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Jenna Elfman Interesting Things About Life & Career, Uncovering the Loyal and Courageous Nature of Toy Fox Terriers, The Benefits of Buying Big Bags of Dog Food, The Brightly Colored Charmer: Getting to Know the Toco Toucan. The middle child, Thelma, was a sweet and innocent girl. "There is no such thing as a happy comic. The last episode of Good Times that Jimmie Walker appeared in was the season 6 finale, A Visit from Aunt Esther. In the episode, Jimmies character, J.J., is visited by his long-lost Aunt Esther, who has come to take him back to her farm in Mississippi. Jimmie's fans were also relieved to learn that he was still alive. He later dropped out of high school to pursue a career in show business. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Thelma Evans net worth is $6 million. In 2012, he released his first book the autobiography Dynomite: Good, Bad, Our Times. Presently, he continues to make sporadic appearances on television and tour the world with his stand up comedy troupe. He said that she was not his friend and that they had no relationship. 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.". Good Times (1974-1979 . He was recently interviewed by the Television Academy, and his insights about Good Times and his castmates are eye-opening. From 1974 to 1979, he was condemned for anything from being "too black for television" to later being faulted for, he said, "cooning it up.". He'd been on Maude and The Mary Tyler Moore Showand would go on to appear in Roots and several films, including Coming To America. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". He also starred in Let's Do It Again with John Amos, and The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened with James Earl Jones. We go up to eat, he said. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Captain Kirk (William Shatner) is worth $100 million. Walker was born in The Bronx, New York City, on June 25, 1947. Through a New York State funded program known as SEEK (Search for Education, Evaluation, and Knowledge), he continued his studies and entered into the field of radio engineering with WRVR. His final roles as a full-time actor came in the films Big Money Rustlas and Super Shark from the early 2010s. This is an entertainmentwebsite with estimated net worths and opinions about various people who we consider genius. And heres where it gets even worse: In 2005, Eric Monte- the man who is responsible for creating TV shows/movie that gaveus some of our most treasuredold school memories EVER- found himself living in aSalvation Army shelter paying $300.00 a month for shelter, food, and counseling. I wouldnt have had his number We never spoke to each other. Thats just sad and wrong on SO many levels. 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. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. He stated that he did not vote for Barack Obama in 2008 and that he would not vote for him in the 2012 election either. 'Good Times' star Jimmie Walker reveals what went on behind-the-scenes Symptoms of Lyme disease can include fever, headache, fatigue, and a rash. 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? had a huge following and did very well in the ratings, but Walker detected little enthusiasm from those around him. While he believed all of his former castmates were talented in their own right, he believed there was something special about Bernadette. "There's like $2000 on this. With political correctness, you can't have issues. the ghetto who rose to wisecracking TV superstardom. What began as a $20 wager between the two men grew to a pot of thousands of dollars among the cast and crew. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What Happened To Florida's 2nd Husband On Good Times? The mother, Florida Evans, was a housewife who cared for their three children. ", On Jay Leno: "Tremendous Injustice to the Comedy Community". Jimmie Walker is best known for his role as J.J. Evans on the hit sitcom Good Times. Jimmie Walker is known for being one of the funniest stand-up comedians to emerge from the 1970s. While the state of his love life is not certain, the comedian has made one thing sure, and that is continuing to keep working for the pleasure of those who love and appreciate him.