"The success of a comic is related to how successful he can deal with the audience," said Walker. In television, it is those like Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, or Jackie Gleason. In addition, Walker can be seen discussing the process of transitioning from stand-up to sitcom in the latest episode of Pioneers Of Television, premiering April 15 on PBS. Jul 12, 2012, 01:49 PM EDT | Updated Jul 12, 2012. 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. While the Evans family projected a loving and supportive front, it was a distinctly chilly set. Good Times was on the air from 1974-79, and it was a quality show with a great cast. He was a five-time panelist on the Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour from 1983 to 1984. Comedian Jimmie Walker didn't initially take his dyn-o-mite role as James "J.J." Evans in "Good Times" seriously. Jimmie Walker is an American actor and comedian, best known for his role as J.J. Evans on the CBS sitcom Good Times. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'_GrHqdWWRilqdiaWhCN9jg',sig:'c1PIyC-xdbytJlVc8o4GmovS3Cx-e2F7VvcxWv9Ty2A=',w:'594px',h:'505px',items:'859245584',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The talented actress, who portrayed Willona on the show, allegedly complained about her character not having enough time in the spotlight. 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. Presently, he continues to make sporadic appearances on television and tour the world with his stand up comedy troupe. 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. As of 2020, JJ from Good Times is stll alive. "When people remember something that you did," said Walker, "that's a good thing.". Jimmie Walker on Relationship between 'Good Times' Co - AmoMama I dont live for it. "There is no such thing as a happy comic. 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. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; 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. Thats right, Jimmie Walker has guest-starred on some of televisions most beloved programs. Walker began his career as a stand-up comedian in the early 1970s. Jimmie 'JJ' Walker Disses 'Good Times' Cast: 'We Were Never Friends' Meanwhile, Walker is still alive, as he confirmed on September 19, 2022, in a Facebook post. It's my gig. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Jimmy Walker has Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection that is transmitted by ticks. In todays dollars, that would be over $1 million per episode. The show ran for six seasons and made Walker a household name. Jimmie 'JJ' Walker: 'Good Times' Wasn't Such A Good Time - Groovy History Many internet sites claim he has been married since 1980 to former actress. He is played by Jimmie Walker and is now in his 70s. Walker's big break came in 1974 when he was cast as J.J. Evans on the hit sitcom Good Times. "I've been a comic for 45 plus years. All the shows go quietly, like a 'Mike and Molly.' 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. Be the first one to comment on this story. Apparently, the writers created the role of Pennyafter ongoing complaints from JaNet DuBois. However, he is never mentioned again and Florida continues to use the surname Evans instead of Dixon. Instead, Walker and his co-stars -- particularly Esther Rolle and John Amos, his TV parents -- were more or less strangers. He was one of nine children born to James Walker Sr., a truck driver, and his wife Naomi, a homemaker. Death rumors debunked. 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. Good Timeswas intended to be a comedy but was also based on real-life struggles with a serious side. Tokay Gecko: Benefits and Challenges of Keeping this Feisty Reptile, Finding the Right Feeding Time for Your Dog. What began as a $20 wager between the two men grew to a pot of thousands of dollars among the cast and crew. $800,000 in net worth Gender:Male 6 feet. Even before the shows conclusion in August 1979, he worked and performed for other projects such as Tony Orlando and Dawn, and Bob Hope television specials. Norman Lear and John Amos came to me and said How dare you put our girl in a position like that? he recalled. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. He also appeared in the films Rabbit Test (1978), The Concorde Airport '79 (1979), Airplane! He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1975 and another one in 1976 for his role. I'm not going to go work at a car factory one day making pistons. J.J., is giving fans the low-down on what it was REALLY like when the cameras werent rollin. During arecenttell-all interview, he spilledall the beans. Norman Lear didn't want to do it -- the "Dyn-o-mite!" Dad is now the dumb guy - everyone ethnic has a great intellect. Only on the set We never did anything together., Jimmie went on to discuss the downward spiral of the hit sitcom. Following the series' demise, however, reality again checked in. He is played by Jimmie Walker and is now in his 70s. _taboola.push({ It's just not what I believe in. 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., {"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type": "Question", "name": "Did Jimmie JJ Walker Pass Away? I'm no actor. Another possibility is that Good Times was created by the network that aired it, CBS. With his signature catchphrase "Dyn-o-mite," Jimmie Walker was the breakthrough star of the 1970s sitcom Good Times.. This difference in personality probably led to some tension between the two actors. I like food. It does not store any personal data. If you do an issue, you are going to divide. "Good Times" Show Made Millions But Many Surprised By How Much The Show Frankly, they hated it.. The show gave people what they wanted. But I guess there are different sets of pioneers.". He was the jester on a show that was groundbreaking for its realism, and that paradox both advanced and mired his career. He was born on June 25, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York. During the shows run, Walker was one of the highest-paid actors on television, earning $350,000 per episode. 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. I will honestly say, I dont remember ever speaking a word to Ester the whole time she was there, remembered Walker. 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. I like money. American actor and comedian Jimmie Walker has a net worth of $800,000. J.J. Evans was a carefree, fun-loving teenager whle Florida Evans was a hardworking, no-nonsense mother. Jimmie went on to discuss the downward spiral of the hit sitcom. Or someone who once got their start opening community rallies for the militant Black Panthers and now clasps conservative traits. VIP passes are $150, and there will be food available at the location. He never been a problem on any other show.. 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. You usually don't consider a pioneer as someone raised in the razor-wire, graffiti-strewn projects of the South Bronx. "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. Without JaNet, I dont think Janet Jackson wouldve ever gotten on our show, said Walker. Pioneer From the Projects: The 'Dyn-o-mite!' With political correctness, you can't have issues. They will have to kick me out -- and they will.". These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. This difference in personality probably led to some tension between the two actors. 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. No way. At one period he was the Black Panthers' comedian of preference before some in the movement labeled him as a symbol for racial stereotypes on Good Times. Other black comics judged him sternly and some even labeled him as a "Stepin Fetchit" -- the hurtful reincarnation of pitiful caricature. Jimmie revealed John Amos, the Evans family patriarch, was very much like Esther. Other cast members wanted acting moments, acting parts. Walker can be seen discussing the process of transitioning from stand-up to sitcom in the latest episode of Pioneers Of Television, premiering this week on PBS. I'm not one of these guys who says, 'I can't wait to retire.' I'm a comic who lucked into a good thing. I wouldnt have had his number We never spoke to each other. 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. I said They dont get it, man., One actor who reportedly caused drama behind the scenes was John Amos. Whoever created Good Times, theres no denying that it was a groundbreaking show that had a profound impact on television and popular culture. He was the star of the show and made a lot of money from syndication. [J.J.] wanted to go out with Thelmas friend, he began. "It's a tougher business now. At 66, Walker has not only chilled out, but he has conservatized. Walker told Lear he would bet him that it would work. Sometimes, the people you work with feel like a family, and sometimes they really don't. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Jimmie 'JJ' Walker. I do accept it. 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. And Norman Lear stands up. "People think . 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Walker recalls working with certain white TV actresses of the day -- Heather Thomas of. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', We talk more now but very, very little. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "According to Celebrity Net Worth, Captain Kirk (William Shatner) is worth $100 million. Comedy has changed to a niche audience, and that's an industry move. 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. "He was legitimate. During today's 9,000th episode on set celebration for The Bold and the Beautiful, it was revealed that comedian and actor, Jimmie Walker will be appearing on the CBS daytime drama series in upcoming episodes. Jimmie Walker is an American actor and comedian who has a net worth of $800 thousand. 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. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', Probably 100 years from now it will be very much a part of the landscape, and they will say, 'Who is that asshole who was against it?' 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. 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. In creator Norman Lear's pioneering show, Walker played J.J. Evans, the . He was recently interviewed by the Television Academy, and his insights about Good Times and his castmates are eye-opening. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Walker's death rumors went viral a few days ago after a few Twitter posts. He also made guest appearances on several television shows, including The A-Team and Magnum, P.I. Were not doing it.'. Photos Courtesy of Jimmie Walker. Finally! Even if it means the dyn-o-mite thing. Jimmie Walker. But, despite his obvious talent, unfortunately, he wasnt compensated properly. Yorkm River, 1994. | 6Minutez.com", "Jimmie 'J.J.' Jimmy Walker has Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection that is transmitted by ticks. Aint that a blip?!! When ever JJ had a particularly good date, a good day at school or just wanted to shout his own praises, he would deliver a dramatic, DYN-O-MITE! It always came with a boisterous and animated delivery and was his signature "go-to" throughout the series and beyond. Jimmie Walker - Wikipedia He wanted to make a career in radio and pursued radio engineering. In addition to the failed project, it was widely reported by various media outlets, that Monte ended up suffering bouts with crack cocaine abuse back in the day and had no choice but to file bankruptcy due to the lack of earnings from his show creations. 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. Well damn, didnt know it was like THAT! In 1996, he appeared on split release with Powerviolence band Spazz distributed by Spazz owned label Slap-a-ham records. 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. 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. which he also used in his mid1970s TV commercial for a Panasonic line of cassette and 8-track tape players and a 2021 and 2022 Medicare commercial. "The reality is that every comic has a complaint," said Walker. Jimmie also had a tad bit to say about Bernadette Stanis, the beautiful upcoming actress who portrayed JJs sister, Thelma Evans on the show. Walker's death date was removed from Google as a result of his Facebook posts. I found out about a lot of the complaints when the book (he released a biography in 2012) was being researched. Jimmie 'JJ' Walker - IMDb So, how much did Jimmie Walker make per episode of Good Times? "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How Much Is Jimmie Walker From Good Times Worth? tall (1.85 m) Actor/comedian/actor/comedian/actor/comedian/actor United States of America is my nationality. The show was a hit, and Walker became one of the most recognizable faces on television. Now the show is secondary because everyone is waiting. Amos left the show prematurely, and Walker feels that he never appreciated the value of Good Times. Jimmie Walker is famous for his role of JJ (James Evans Jr.) in Good Times. Attempts to sell a self-published book drained the last of his savings. The festival's regular admission tickets are $30 per day for adults and free for children under the age of ten. While in his element as the broadly strutting, gleamy-toothed J.J. Evans of the popular urban-styled sitcom Good Times (1974), Jimmie Walker lived the extremely good life. The 1970s were the years of television comedies with memorable catchphrases. The show was an instant hit, and Walker became a household name. _taboola.push({ Walker told Lear he would bet him that it would work. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Is JJ From Good Times Still Alive? 'Good Times': The $2,000 Bet 'J.J. Evans' Actor Jimmie Walker Had Going Walker. Jimmie Walker Said He Never Spoke to These "Good Times" Co-Stars - Yahoo Life of Jimmie Walker. ", 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.". Hes played himself on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and appeared on an episode of The Love Boat. "When I die, the show, and the character, they will still be spoken about. Jimmie Walker is known for being one of the funniest stand-up comedians to emerge from the 1970s. He later dropped out of high school to pursue a career in show business. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', Please logout and login again. It doesn't affect me, I just don't like it. "They came to me and said 'How dare you put our girl in a position like that. All was not what it seemed on the set of Good Times. Walker's catchphrase Dy-no-mite! became a nationally known slogan in the 1970s. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "No, the Good Times cast did not get along. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. He was a bright guy, really sharp. 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. And I will give Jimmie Walker credit where I will never doubt his energy-of-the-moment philosophies again.. Jimmie Walker in 1974. 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. From Jay Leno to the guy at the open mic, that is the very nature of comedy. The youngest child, Michael, was a smart and precocious boy. So, it comes as no surprise that the show made millions of dollars. Walker was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in The Bronx, New York. "Good Times" star, Jimmie Evans opened up about his relationship with other casts on the CBS sitcom, during the six-year run. The public wanted him that way and the role just got bigger. Walker said that there is no such thing as a happy comic, for the comic feeds on his own insecurity and self-doubt. If they are not laughing, I know that it's not good -- the material. 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. While we all know good things don't always last forever, it appears Jimmie Walker believes Good Times actually could have lasted a bit longer than it did. 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. This is likely because of the difference in their characters on the show. The rumors started after CelebTV posted a video on YouTube. These people, anytime you said anything, they get crazy, they get upset. He has been critical of Jay Leno for not lending other comics a helping spotlight. No complaints there. After the show ended, Walker continued to work as a stand-up comedian and appeared in several films and television shows. In today's dollars, that would be over $1 million per episode.Walker's career began in the early 1960s when he . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. [3] He attended Theodore Roosevelt High School in New York City. JJ Walker Net Worth - James Evans Jr. Of The Good Times Made Us Laugh She is best known for starring as Thelma Evans on the late-seventies CBS sitcom Good Times.. 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. Theres like $2000 on this cognac line, Walker said. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Thelma Evans net worth is $6 million. "The venues are drying up, and I put this on Leno," said Walker. See details below In the early 16960s, he began working as a vendor at the Yankee Stadium, beginning with the 1964 World Series. Jimmie Walker Net Worth - Wealthy Genius He has a keen interest in education and loves to write kids friendly content. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Jimmie Walker's career has been a bit of a roller coaster since the height of his success on Good Times. I think that they killed the goose that laid the golden egg, he stated. 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? 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. The ethnic is always the smartest person on the show, the police chief, or the principal, or the president. to the groovy lexicon of the 1970s. In it, he called himself a "logicist," who believes in "logic and common sense", holding conservative positions on many issues. How Much Money Does Jimmie Walker Make? Latest Income Salary Dissatisfaction led Amos (before Rolle), to leave the show, making Walker the star of the show. 12 Facts About Emma Stone How Old Is She? Our family gathering, bonding moments were around that show. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. According to its executive producer Norman Lear, the viewers were the only ones enjoying the show that he called an agony to produce. In that role, he came up with the catchphrase "Dyn-O-Mite!" Jimmie started doing stand-up comedy in the late 1960s. Throughout the 1980s, he landed his most successful roles in the films Airplane, Going Bananas and The Guyver. Stop the presses: Jimmie Walker, the actor best known for his role as J.J. Evans on "Good Times," is not a fan of President Barack Obama. We've all had good jobs and bad. We've all had good jobs and bad. Symptoms of Lyme disease can include fever, headache, fatigue, and a rash. He said that he modeled "J.J." after Art Carney's portrayal of Ed Norton on The Honeymooners. 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 was one of the highest paid actors on television at the time.