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IMDbPro

Ernest Thomas(I)

  • Actor
  • Producer
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Ernest Thomas
James Wynn wants to ask his deceased father questions about the Family Business. He invents a device that gives him the ability to go back in time to 1985. However, when he arrives, there's a problem.
Play trailer1:41
John Wynn's One Hour (2022)
5 Videos
53 Photos
Ernest Lee Thomas was born in an economically-low neighborhood in Gary, Indiana. Thomas's attempt to become a successful person was to move to New York and become a Broadway actor. He made his professional debut as as a Broadway actor appearing in the 1974 revival production of Love For Love, also in the 1975 revival production of 'The Member Of The Wedding'.

Thomas also became a graduate of the prestigious American Academy Of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He then moved to Los Angeles to further pursue his career as a television and film actor. Shortly after moving there he received a role on the starting sitcom The Jeffersons (1975) playing the character Ronnie Walker. Thomas also guest starred on other popular shows like Baretta (1975) and The Brady Bunch (1969).

During a taping session of The Jeffersons (1975) he was informed by the agent of Isabel Sanford that there was an audition for a show called, What's Happening!! (1976). He landed the role of Roger "Raj" Thomas at the age of 26. He said there were two-hundred talented actors up for the role and he states he was very blessed to have been chosen.

Shortly after the show's cancellation in 1979 despite it's high ratings, Ernest Thomas was on the verge of making his mark in Hollywood as a movie actor. Thomas received the opportunity to be a part of the comedy crime film A Piece of the Action (1977) starring along side comedic genius Bill Cosby and two Academy Award winners, Sidney Poitier and James Earl Jones. Thomas played the character John and the movie went on to receive rave reviews.

After just missing out on the role of Kunta Kinte in the successful mini-series Roots (1977), Thomas was given the role of Kailubu. Roots (1977) went on to win several prestigious awards and inspired millions of people to find their ancestral background like Alex Haley, the author of the book on which the series was based.

What's Happening Now! (1985) was the sitcom sequel to What's Happening!! (1976). This time the spin-off presented Raj as a more mature and well-developed character, even having a wife played by Anne-Marie Johnson, and becoming a successful writer. The show was in syndication for three years. Soon after the show ended Thomas made several guest appearances on various shows as Raj Thomas including The Parent 'Hood (1995), Martin (1992), Soul Food (2000), The Steve Harvey Show (1996), All About the Andersons (2003) and Just Jordan (2007).

In 1992, Ernest Thomas starred along side various renowned actors including Denzel Washington in the biographical movie, Malcolm X (1992). Thomas played the character Sidney. The film was a success and was recently selected to be placed in the United States National Film Registry by Library Of Congress as they described it as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

In 1996 Thomas starred opposite gospel Grammy award singer Kirk Franklin in the sold out tour of "He Say, She Say, But What Does God Say". In 2005, Ernest Thomas made his comeback of being a sit-com star by being a recurring character in the period sitcom, Everybody Hates Chris (2005). Ernest Thomas played a funeral director, Mr.Omar. Ernest Thomas also because of this role is vividly remembered by younger and older audiences.

Ernest Thomas earned a bachelor degree of Science in Sociology and Psychology from Indiana State University. Though Thomas has never married, and is believed not to have any children, nevertheless, in an interview with VladTV, Thomas mentioned that he does have a daughter.
BornMarch 26, 1950
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornMarch 26, 1950
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Awards
    • 2 wins & 1 nomination

Photos53

Ernest Thomas in Everybody Hates Chris (2005)
Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, James McDaniel, and Ernest Thomas in Malcolm X (1992)
Martin Lawrence and Ernest Thomas in Martin (1992)
Tichina Arnold, Reynaldo Rey, and Ernest Thomas in Everybody Hates Chris (2005)
Fred Berry, Bobby Ellerbee, Chip Fields, Shirley Hemphill, Haywood Nelson, and Ernest Thomas in What's Happening!! (1976)
Fred Berry, Mabel King, Haywood Nelson, and Ernest Thomas in What's Happening!! (1976)
Christopher Knight, Danielle Spencer, Ernest Thomas, and Barry Williams in The Brady Bunch Variety Hour (1976)
Fred Berry, Christopher Knight, Haywood Nelson, Danielle Spencer, Ernest Thomas, and Barry Williams in The Brady Bunch Variety Hour (1976)
Fred Berry, Haywood Nelson, and Ernest Thomas in What's Happening!! (1976)
Fred Berry, Haywood Nelson, and Ernest Thomas in What's Happening!! (1976)
Fred Berry, Haywood Nelson, and Ernest Thomas in What's Happening!! (1976)
Fred Berry, Haywood Nelson, Danielle Spencer, and Ernest Thomas in What's Happening!! (1976)

Known for

What's Happening!! (1976)
What's Happening!!
7.0
TV Series
  • Roger 'Raj' Thomas
Everybody Hates Chris (2005)
Everybody Hates Chris
7.5
TV Series
  • Mr. Omar
  • Funeral Director
  • Radical Man
Denzel Washington in Malcolm X (1992)
Malcolm X
7.7
  • Sidney
  • 1992
Adam Sandler, Leslie Mann, Jason Schwartzman, Eric Bana, Seth Rogen, and Jonah Hill in Funny People (2009)
Funny People
6.3
  • Yo Teach Principal
  • 2009

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actor

  • The Chosen Ones
    • Ray
    • Released
    • TV Series
    • 2018
  • The Truth
    • James Millicent
    • Pre-production
  • Youn G
    • OG
    • Post-production
  • Dive
    • Phineas
    • Pre-production
  • The Gospel Truth
    • Gabriel
    • Pre-production
  • The Gods 2: The Dark Side (2023)
    The Gods 2: The Dark Side
    • Olympus
    • 2023
  • 69 Parts (2022)
    69 Parts
    • Bank
    • 2022
  • John Wynn's One Hour (2022)
    John Wynn's One Hour
    • Doctor Thomas
    • 2022
  • Chocolate City 3: Live Tour (2022)
    Chocolate City 3: Live Tour
    • Mr. Williams
    • 2022
  • Tales of a Fifth Grade Robin Hood (2021)
    Tales of a Fifth Grade Robin Hood
    • Principal Richards (as Ernest Lee Thomas)
    • 2021
  • John Wynn's Playhouse (2021)
    John Wynn's Playhouse
    • Ernie
    • 2021
  • Persuasive (2020)
    Persuasive
    • Officer Devash
    • Short
    • 2020
  • John Wynn's Mirror Mirror (2019)
    John Wynn's Mirror Mirror
    • Pastor Ron Johnson
    • 2019
  • Pawn (2019)
    Pawn
    • Brad
    • Short
    • 2019
  • Loved to Death (2019)
    Loved to Death
    • Pastor
    • 2019
  • Todd Anthony in Malcolm (2019)
    Malcolm
    • Malcolm Head Assistant
    • Short
    • 2019
  • 79 Parts: Director's Cut (2019)
    79 Parts: Director's Cut
    • Bank Teller
    • 2019
  • Two Wolves (2018)
    Two Wolves
    • Olivier
    • 2018
  • Ledisi in Ledisi: Add to Me (2017)
    Ledisi: Add to Me
    • Speaker
    • Short
    • 2017
  • Chocolate City: Vegas (2017)
    Chocolate City: Vegas
    • Mr. Williams
    • 2017

Producer

  • Persuasive (2020)
    Persuasive
    • producer
    • Short
    • 2020
  • Hamilton Hays (2016)
    Hamilton Hays
    • executive producer
    • TV Movie
    • 2016
  • The Family
    • executive producer
    • 2015
  • Katie Roberts and Jonathan Villalpando in Revenge (2014)
    Revenge
    • executive producer
    • 2014
  • Priscilla Leona Horne and Yolanda Buggs in Kid Justice (2013)
    Kid Justice
    • executive producer
    • TV Series
    • 2013
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos5

Official Trailer
Trailer 1:41
Official Trailer
Basketball Girlfriend
Trailer 1:03
Basketball Girlfriend
What's Happening: Season 2
Trailer 1:24
What's Happening: Season 2
What's Happening: Season 1
Trailer 1:31
What's Happening: Season 1
What's Happening
Trailer 1:39
What's Happening

Personal details

Edit
  • Official sites
    • Official Site
    • Twitter
  • Alternative names
    • Ernest L. Thomas
  • Born
    • March 26, 1950
    • Gary, Indiana, USA
  • Children
    • Pam Trotter
  • Parents
    • Lizza Latham
  • Relatives
      Lizzie Miller(Grandparent)
  • Other works
    TV Commercial: Kentucky Fried Chicken

Self-verified on IMDbPro

  • Gender / Gender identity
    • Male

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.
  • Quotes
    My greatest joy is making people happy.

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