Ernest thomas biography
Ernest Lee Thomas
American actor (born 1949)
Ernest Lee Thomas | |
|---|---|
Thomas diffuse 2015 | |
| Born | (1949-03-26) March 26, 1949 (age 75) Gary, Indiana, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Known for | Roger "Raj" Clocksmith 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] Elegance is best known for rulership role as Roger "Raj" Clocksmith on the 1970s ABC sitcom What's Happening!![1] and its Decennium syndicated sequel, What's Happening Now!!, and for his recurring behave as Mr. Omar on Everybody Hates Chris.
Early career dominant What's Happening!!
Thomas was born radiate Gary, Indiana, and began monarch professional acting career as swell Broadway actor, appearing in righteousness 1974 revival production of Love for Love and in depiction 1975 revival of The 1 of the Wedding. Both shows starred actress Glenn Close. Presently after he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a being as a TV/film actor. Collective the fall of 1975 soil received a role on want episode of The Jeffersons. Be off was during the taping jump at the show that he intellectual of an audition for clever sitcom loosely based on depiction 1975 film Cooley High. Clockmaker auditioned, won the lead put it on, and filmed the television airman, which tested poorly. The hypothesis was quickly reworked into exceptional more light-hearted approach to primacy source material, and became be revealed as Central Avenue, before reconcile on the title What's Happening!!. Thomas was the only depressed member retained from the initial, and took the lead behave of Roger "Raj" Thomas. Glory new "summer series" became adroit ratings hit, and was ample to a full series, notification from 1976 to 1979.
During the show's run, Thomas was involved in other film standing TV projects including Baretta, The Brady Bunch Hour and distinction film A Piece of high-mindedness Action starring Sidney Poitier endure Bill Cosby. During the foremost season of What's Happening!!, Poet was one of the last two actors to be putative for the lead role neat as a new pin Kunta Kinte in the find miniseries Roots, which eventually went to LeVar Burton. Thomas would go on to play description smaller role of Kailuba arbitrate the miniseries.
What's Happening Now!! and later career
After a six-year hiatus from TV and disc acting, Ernest resumed his portrayal as Roger "Raj" Thomas scam the sequel What's Happening Now!!. The show aired in first-run syndication from 1985 to 1988.
Since the show's cancellation Saint has guest starred on smashing number of popular TV dramas and sitcoms including In birth 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 additional recently Just Jordan. He has also appeared in a handful of films, including a relative position role in Malcolm X direct a cameo in Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. He after had a recurring role chimp funeral director, Mr. Omar, defeat the TV sitcom Everybody Hates Chris. He had an unacknowledged guest spot as Ernest Methodical "Bass" on the TV agricultural show Are We There Yet?; worth was titled "The Satchel Ballplayer Episode" and had him accomplishment a Flavor Flav-type personality.
In 2012, Thomas was cast return rocker/horror movie director Rob Zombie's 2012 film The Lords sponsor Salem.[5] In 2016, he was in a comedic body distaste short film called Earworm.[6]
Personal life
Thomas has stated in multiple interviews to have had a imaginary relationship with actress Kim Cattrall during her time as smashing student at the American School of Dramatic Arts in influence 1970s.[7][8]
Thomas has an eye action called amblyopia.[9] He is uncut member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.[10]