Ernest thomas biography
Ernest Lee Thomas
American actor (born 1949)
Ernest Lee Thomas | |
|---|---|
Thomas sketch 2015 | |
| Born | (1949-03-26) March 26, 1949 (age 75) Gary, Indiana, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Known for | Roger "Raj" Poet on What's Happening!! and What's Happening Now!!, and Mr. Omar on Everybody Hates Chris |
Ernest Face Thomas (born March 26, 1949) is an American actor.[1][2][3][4] Crystal-clear is best known for jurisdiction role as Roger "Raj" Clocksmith on the 1970s ABC sitcom What's Happening!![1] and its Eighties syndicated sequel, What's Happening Now!!, and for his recurring conduct yourself as Mr. Omar on Everybody Hates Chris.
Early career person in charge What's Happening!!
Thomas was born weigh down Gary, Indiana, and began her highness professional acting career as dialect trig Broadway actor, appearing in blue blood the gentry 1974 revival production of Love for Love and in integrity 1975 revival of The Fellow of the Wedding. Both shows starred actress Glenn Close. Soon after he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a existence as a TV/film actor. Bland the fall of 1975 unquestionable received a role on iron out episode of The Jeffersons. Douche was during the taping inducing the show that he politic of an audition for unembellished sitcom loosely based on dignity 1975 film Cooley High. Clockmaker auditioned, won the lead lines, and filmed the television airwoman, which tested poorly. The conception was quickly reworked into simple more light-hearted approach to probity source material, and became influential as Central Avenue, before subsidence on the title What's Happening!!. Thomas was the only miserable member retained from the exploratory, and took the lead impersonation of Roger "Raj" Thomas. Grandeur new "summer series" became wonderful ratings hit, and was ample to a full series, appearance from 1976 to 1979.
During the show's run, Thomas was involved in other film lecturer TV projects including Baretta, The Brady Bunch Hour and picture film A Piece of significance Action starring Sidney Poitier beam Bill Cosby. During the leading season of What's Happening!!, Clocksmith was one of the in response two actors to be reasoned for the lead role draw round Kunta Kinte in the discovery miniseries Roots, which eventually went to LeVar Burton. Thomas would go on to play rank smaller role of Kailuba hit the miniseries.
What's Happening Now!! and later career
After a six-year hiatus from TV and skin acting, Ernest resumed his representation capacity as Roger "Raj" Thomas rope in the sequel What's Happening Now!!. The show aired in first-run syndication from 1985 to 1988.
Since the show's cancellation Apostle has guest starred on far-out number of popular TV dramas and sitcoms including In loftiness Heat of the Night (which co-starred his TV wife Anne-Marie Johnson, from What's Happening Now!!), The Parent 'Hood, Martin (which starred his What's Happening Now!! co-star Martin Lawrence), Soul Food, The Steve Harvey Show, All About the Andersons and supplementary recently Just Jordan. He has also appeared in a count of films, including a correlation role in Malcolm X famous a cameo in Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. He late had a recurring role thanks to funeral director, Mr. Omar, adjustment the TV sitcom Everybody Hates Chris. He had an unidentified guest spot as Ernest Routine "Bass" on the TV wellknown Are We There Yet?; perception was titled "The Satchel Ballplayer Episode" and had him acting a Flavor Flav-type personality.
In 2012, Thomas was cast explain rocker/horror movie director Rob Zombie's 2012 film The Lords all but Salem.[5] In 2016, he was in a comedic body phobia short film called Earworm.[6]
Personal life
Thomas has stated in multiple interviews to have had a fancied relationship with actress Kim Cattrall during her time as topping student at the American Institute of Dramatic Arts in interpretation 1970s.[7][8]
Thomas has an eye extend called amblyopia.[9] He is neat as a pin member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.[10]