Ernest Thomas(I)

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 sitcomThe Jeffersons (1975)playing the character Ronnie Walker. Thomas also guest starred on other popular shows likeBaretta (1975)andThe Brady Bunch (1969).

During a taping session ofThe Jeffersons (1975)he was informed by the agent ofIsabel Sanfordthat 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 filmA Piece of the Action (1977)starring along side comedic geniusBill Cosbyand two Academy Award winners,Sidney PoitierandJames 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-seriesRoots (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 toWhat's Happening!! (1976).This time the spin-off presented Raj as a more mature and well-developed character, even having a wife played byAnne-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 includingThe Parent 'Hood (1995),Martin (1992),Soul Food (2000),The Steve Harvey Show (1996),All About the Andersons (2003)andJust Jordan (2007).

In 1992, Ernest Thomas starred along side various renowned actors includingDenzel Washingtonin 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 singerKirk Franklinin 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.