TWENTYNINE PALMS, California Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. Gibbs, who played the Jeffersons housekeeper Florence, is still alive today. What happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons? He attended Palmer Memorial Institute, a private school for young black Americans in Sedalia, North Carolina. Paul Benedict (September 17, 1938 December 1, 2008) was an American actor who made numerous appearances in television and films, beginning in 1965. Now 90, and with dozens of film and TV appearances under her belt, Gibbs is still working since 2021, shes been a regular on Days of Our Lives. Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "All in the Family" circa 1971 | Photo: Getty Images. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Although he was supposed to play a more significant role with more screen time, he left after the first season. Lionel is generally amused, rather than angered or irritated, by Archie's frequent displays of ignorance and bigotry, often seeing Archie's comments as well-meaning, albeit ignorant, rather than outright malicious. However, Lionel turns out to be trouble when he started spending company money on material things like new furniture and employee blazers. Evans was replaced by Damon Evans (no relation) for four years, then he returned to the series from 1979 to 1981. Evans kept the role of Lionel when "The Jeffersons" launched in 1975. Luckily a lack of nerveand one nagging thoughtkept his feet on the ground. Isabel Sanford, (born August 29, 1917, New York, New York, U.S.died July 9, 2004, Los Angeles, California), American actress best known for her role as Louise (Weezy) Jefferson in the long-running television situation comedy The Jeffersons (197585). She has been married to Tom Willis, a white man, for 34 years. Mike Evans as Lionel in Season 1 of "The Jeffersons". In a prior People Magazine article, Damon explained how his lack of jobs, led to depression, then to years of drug addiction. The Jeffersons Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. ", In recent years he had invested in real estate in Southern California. Mike Evans, the actor who portrayed Lionel Jefferson on the TV series "All In The Family" and "The Jeffersons," passed away at the age of 57 years old following a short-lived career. All content, including text, and images contained on. One could say Mike was quite successful in the entertainment industry for a little more than a decade. No! Actress Marla Gibbs, best known for her roles on shows like The Jeffersons and 227 is now 90 years of age and still going strong. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. Start Today. Lionel Jefferson is a supporting character from the hit sitcoms All in the Family and The Jeffersons. / AP. Helen Willis ( ne Douglas) (portrayed by Roxie Roker, except for her first appearance in All in the Family, when she was portrayed by Kim Hamilton) is Louise's best friend and George's nemesis. . 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He studied acting at Los Angeles City College before getting the role of Lionel Jefferson in 1970s situation comedy All in the Family.. Evans attended the Interlochen Academy on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. Franklin Cover, Paul Benedict, Sherman Hemsley, Marla Gibbs, Ned Wertimer, Berlinda Tolbert, Roxie Roker, Isabel Sanford, and Mike Evans from "The Jeffersons" in 1975 in Los Angeles, California | Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist while his mother, Annie Sue Evans, was a school teacher. [2], Evans continued to play the role on the spinoff The Jeffersons, but left after the first season to pursue other aspects of his career. In the second half of Wednesday's Live in Front of a Damon Evans was a cast member on the CBS hit 70s sitcom The Jeffersons, but while everyone must have thought he had the best life, Evans was battling personal demons that would lead him down a drug-fueled path and near-suicide. To this very day, I dont think they have a clue as to who I really am, and thats there loss. In July 1974, Evans met Helena Jefferson (19522002). 134K views 1 year ago #TheJeffersons #Breakup The Jeffersons (Isabel Sanford and Sherman Hemsley) get the news that Lionel and Jenny (Mike Evans and Berlinda Tolbert) are separating, so they. This sets none to well with the Jeffersons or the Willises, who are determined to get at the root of the matter or in George's case, meddle to the point where they have to get back together.Available on Prime Video: https://amzn.to/3oYSG9XSubscribe to The Norman Lear Effect channel: https://bit.ly/NormanLearEffectFollow us on social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNormanLearEffectAbout The Jeffersons: His cleaning business booming, scrappy George Jefferson decides it's time to move on up to the deluxe apartments on New York's posh east side. Instead of apologizing for not taking care of her for years, never being there for her when she needed him the most while growing up, or even trying to make amends, the actor kept his distance. The next day, Damon began taking steps to make his life better. Evans died of throat cancer Dec. 14 at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. What happened to Lionel on The Jeffersons? Evans was a creator/writer of the series Good Times (197479). The Jeffersons (Isabel Sanford and Sherman Hemsley) get the news that Lionel and Jenny (Mike Evans and Berlinda Tolbert) are separating, so they team up with the Willises (Franklin Cover and Roxie Roker) to try and get the couple back together.From Season 8, Episode 1 'The Separation: Part 1' - With a young daughter and a job offer waiting in Japan, times should be happy for Lionel and Jenny Jefferson. Evans gave life to the character through all of the seasons of "All in The Family" but when it came to playing the role on the spin-off show that was centered on the life of the black family, he took a break for three years and was replaced by actor Damon Evans. He also portrayed the young Alex Haley (ages 17-25) in the ABC television miniseries Roots: The Next Generations . On September 11, 2002, Helena Evans died of breast cancer after she was diagnosed in February 2001. When Lionel's father finally shows up, someone apparently has to leave to make room. The show touched on issues that were taboo on TV at the time such as homosexuality, abortion, racism, rape, religion and more. "All in The Family" was one of the first television series of the '80s to present an all-black cast, and the premise of the series followed the life of an interracial couple. There was such a marked difference in our interpretations of the role. Archie considers himself to be Lionel's good friend and even mentor. He left in 1981 to pursue other projects but returned in 1983. He was 57. what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons Damon Evans played Lionel from seasons 2-4, before being replaced by Mike Evans, who left the series to co-produce and develop another Norman Lear series. Show developer Norman Lear preferred Cleavon Little for the role, but Rich lobbied to cast an actor who would appear less threatening. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. Damon let the cat of the bag when he publicly revealed that he hated playing Lionel on The Jeffersons and deeply regrets doing the show. Talk about stress and adjustment issues. To be quite honest, I didn't have a direction when I went there. In 1979, Mike came back for one more season, but eventually left again, forcing the creators to write Lionel and his wife Jenny (played by actress Berlinda Tolbert) out of the script, claiming that they faced marital problems. His last role was in a 2000 episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger. He studied acting at Los Angeles City College before getting the role of Lionel Jefferson in the 1970s situation comedy "All in the Family.". Maestro cue the outro music! According to Jimmie Walker, Evans had threatened to leave if he was not given more screen time, and Norman Lear let him out of his contract. Franklin Cover first began acting in 1960 and was on The Jackie Gleason Showa couple of times in 1967 as a police officer. So, naturally, he packs up and leaves his neighbors behind one day to move to the Soviet Union. Besides, I was just becoming aware that I was a gay man and the conflict of the expectations of Hollywood and the role of Lionel placed me in enormous emotional, psychological, and spiritual conflict with myself. In 1978, Damon quit The Jeffersons to pursue his opera career, reports PEOPLE. Wow! KB: Wow. High on crack cocaine and crystal methamphetamine, he walked from his upper Manhattan apartment to the George Washington Bridge and contemplated leaping into the Hudson River 250 feet below. But he was mainly known for his role as Bentley on The Jeffersons, which ran on CBS from 1975 to 1985. He also portrayed the young Alex Haley (ages 17-25) in the ABC television miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', Roker died Saturday in Los Angeles, her publicist, Cynthia Snyder, said this week. Damon Evans (born November 24, 1949) is an American actor best known as the second of two actors who portrayed Lionel Jefferson on the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons. ", Mike Evans' daughter Carlena Harris | Photo: YouTube/Carlena Harris. Mike Evans left The Jeffersons after its first season in order to devote more time to writing for Maude spin-off Good Times, which he had helped create. He was 57. Michael Jonas Evans (November 3, 1949 - December 14, 2006) was an American actor, best known as Lionel Jefferson on both All in the Family and The Jeffersons. Michael Jonas Evans (November 3, 1949 December 14, 2006) was an American actor, best known as Lionel Jefferson on both All in the Family and The Jeffersons. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. According to her, she was raised by her mother and grandmother, and that, shockingly, Mike absolutely refused to believe that he was her biological father. What happened to the first Lionel on Jeffersons? He has appeared in all 253 episodes of The Jeffersons . It happened after a stinging loss to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, in which Portland coughed up a 25-point lead. Damon Evans (born November 24, 1949) is an American actor, best known as the second of two actors who portrayed Lionel Jefferson on the The Jeffersons. Found Her! Mike Evans and other cast members of "All In the Family" in August 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons. I just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes. Getting high was all that mattered, Damon shared. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. For other people named Michael Evans, see, "Mike Evans, 57; Lionel in 'Jeffersons' created 'Good Times', E! Publicity photo of Mike Evans during his time on "The Jeffersons" circa 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. What happened to the first Lionel on The Jeffersons show? Damon revealed that his sexual preference became an issue for him on . or "Lawd almighty, what is we gonna do?"). She was sometimes credited as Ebony Smith. So in 1978, he left the show and decided to pursue other acting roles, as well as his first passion of singing in the opera. _taboola.push({ Also, Sherman Hemsley was not the original George Jefferson. If I had to make that particular choice over again, that is accepting or not accepting the role of Lionel and replacing actor Michael Evans, I definitely would have refused the role, the actor confessed during an interview with Keith Boykin, per ILOSM. Lionel was born in New York City on October 18, 1953. } Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. He was known for his roles as George Jefferson on the CBS television series All in the Family and The Jeffersons, Deacon Ernest Frye on the NBC series Amen, and B.P. Lionel is introduced in the first episode (and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does). On the show, Bentleys disappearance is explained away like this: Bentley works as a Russian interpreter for the United Nations. Upon recovering she returned for a few episodes, noticeably thinner and frailer. 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Lionel is introduced in the first episode (and, in fact, appears on screen before Archie Bunker does). Unfortunately, when Damons work permit in the UK expired, and he returned to the United States, the actor discovered he had been typecast as a comedic character. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. He was 57. I just sort of just said well, let me just see where this goes. 'Jeffersons' Actor Mike Evans Dies December 22, 2006 / 9:42 AM / AP Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. Its really been pretty phenomenal. On the PBS childrens show Sesame Street, Benedict was the Mad Painter who painted numbers everywhere. He admitted his drug addiction to his therapist and joined Narcotics Anonymous. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. Although he was born in North Carolina, Mike eventually moved with his family to Los Angeles, California, where he decided that he wanted to try his luck in show business, having studied acting at Los Angeles City College. He was originally portrayed by D'Urville Martin for two unaired pilots, before the role was recast with Mike Evans. I was afraid of change.. "The Jeffersons" cast His Addictions & Suicide Attempt. Lionel Jefferson, who appeared in seasons 1-5 of All In The Family is the son of George and Louise Jefferson, On the AITF series, the part was played by Mike Evans, who would go on to co-create another Norman Lear produced sitcom, Good Times in 1975, the same season his character Lionel, George and Louise were spun off themselves into a series, titled The Jeffersons. Justin Bieber concerts canceled on ticket sales sites Mike Evans returned to the series in September 1979 and appeared regularly as Lionel for two more seasons. Lets just say this, Ive taken detours but I always come back home. I had a really bad attitude.. Evan's character, Lionel, was one of the first characters that showcased an opinionated black young man, and even though he had to deal with his neighbor Archie's constant ignorant and racist comments, Lionel usually played along, remaining unfazed about the demonstrations of bigotry displayed by Archie. I started loving it, I mean, started knowing that I could even write. Because once you get there youll find out that there is no there there. While Carlene suffered a lot at his hands, she eventually forgave him. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. display: none; Talk about stress and adjustment issues., In a 2001 PEOPLE interview, the actor further revealed that his dissatisfaction caused him to act out. He studied acting at Los Angeles City College. The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child. At which location is the altitude of polaris approximately 42? George, opposed to miscegenation, calls Helen and Tom "zebras" or "chocolate and . Evans died of throat cancer December 14 at his mothers home in Twentynine Palms, said his niece, Chrystal Evans. Yep, he can SANG. LOS ANGELES Actress Isabel Sanford, best known as Weezie, Louise Jefferson on the television sitcom The Jeffersons, died of natural causes, her publicist said Monday. I thought, I cant go on like this anymore, Damon recalled, but then another thought crept in that stopped him from ending his life: I was thinking, How am I going to kill myself when I dont even know myself?. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', The actor who gave life to Lionel Jefferson for more than a decade lost his life after a long battle with cancer. I uprooted myself from a role as a classical music student and was thrust in the publics eye overnight. *Singing* Well were moving on up! All Quiet on the Western Front, Elvis, Empire of Light Cinematographers on Their Oscar-Nominated Work: The Camera Had to Be Dancing, Dilbert Comic Strip Creator Dropped From Several Publications After Racist Comments, R. 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Ready for Tolkien Battle, How the Landscape of Native-Led Stories Has Changed Between Avatars: Were Flexing Our Sovereignty, The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News. Tom Sizemore's family told there's "no further hope" after aneurysm In 2007 (at age 56) he earned his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx College in New York. It achieved the record of having topped the Nielsen ratings for five consecutive years. No! Damon also took a mail-room job that kept him going until he was able to secure roles in several small-time theater productions. The late star was born in Salisbury, North Carolina in 1949, son to father Theodore Evans Sr., who made a living as a dentist, and to mother Annie Sue Evans, who . AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Kiss announce farewell tour set to conclude in NYC I always tell people that I am the one without the fro and the one who married Jenny on TV. Damon sure had all of us fooled. Actor Mike Evans, best known as Lionel Jefferson in the TV comedy series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," has died. He was 57. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. _taboola.push({ Can i add someone to my wells fargo account online? Sanford died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she had been hospitalized since July 4, said Brad Lemack. } During a guest appearance on "The Charay Vaughn Show," Harris opened up about the cruel way he used to treat her when she was only a child, revealing that he was never involved in her life. Samuel L Jackson & Wife Are Married for 41 Years & 'Still Love Each Other' Though They Took 10 Years to Wed, 'Law & Order's' Camryn Manheim Turns 61 - Meet Her Son Milo Who Is All Grown-up & Is Also an Actor, Who Is Jake Sully from Avatar? Damon Evans, one of two actors who played Lionel Jefferson on the '70s sitcom The Jeffersons, talks with Michel Martin. We all remember "Jenny Willis," "Tom's" and "Helen's" daughter on The Jeffersons, but many of us didn't hear much from her outside of a few other roles in films like Harlem Knights, Goodfellas, and such. To support himself, he took a job in the mail room of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, where he gamely replied Yes whenever coworkers asked, Werent you Lionel? Evans also joined a church and began taking singing lessons. He also acted in the 1976 TV miniseries "Rich Man, Poor Man" and made guest appearances on the TV series "Love, American Style" and "The Streets of San Francisco." Check out an interview that Damon did with interviewer, Keith Boykin, Damon Evans on how The Jeffersons sitcom negatively affected his life. According to him, he wanted to educate America in the sense that Lionel was a black married man who was working on his masters and was ready to have a family, which was something America hadn't seen yet. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', }); Copyright 2015 . I guess you can say that we all learn something new everyday, dont we? The family moved to Los Angeles when Evans was a child. And I think, for me, that was the hardest thing was that I was so afraid to give up my identity as a performer. [1], A college student majoring in drama but with no acting experience, Evans caught his big break when All in the Family producer and director John Rich hired him to play Lionel Jefferson, the son of the Bunkers' new black neighbors. All Rights Reserved. Original Lionel, Mike Evans, decided to leave the show after the second season. It was later revealed that he was actually Henry Jefferson, Georges brother. He opened up about his drug addiction to a therapist and reportedly joined Narcotics Anonymous. Damon Evans (no relation to Mike) played the role from the fall of 1975 until early 1978. [3] Actor and opera singer Damon Evans (no relation to Michael) then took the role of Lionel, but Mike Evans returned in the role for the sixth through eighth seasons. 2006 The Associated Press. He reportedly had a huge crush on a girl who was older than him. Harris said: "I just had to live with the fact that I didn't have an earthly father who wanted me, but the thing with that is it certainly caused me to be closer to my heavenly father and got me to a point where I was content. For the second time in recent months, Sony has screwed up on the episode guide and listed episodes as being on the wrong disc. In one of the early episodes, the Jeffersons move into a house down the block from the Bunkers (later, the house is said to be next door). When Lionel gets laid off from his job, George hires him to work in his office. Isabel Sanford, who played Louise Weezy Jefferson on The Jeffersons for a decade, died Friday of natural causes at Los Angeles Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, her publicist told the Associated Press. All in the Family's CBS spinoff series, The Jeffersons premiered in 1975. Are any of the cast of my three sons still alive? Jenny, however, became a regular guest throughout the series, unlike Lionel, who only appeared on the screen in the last two episodes of the eleventh and final season back in 1985. Four years after her death, Evans died of throat cancer at his mother's home in Twentynine Palms, California, at the age of 57.[5]. }, First published on December 22, 2006 / 9:42 AM. When the series ended, Gibbs took on other TV roles including portraying Mary Jenkins on the sitcom 227. https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/actors/sherman-hemsley-net-worth/, https://the-jeffersons.fandom.com/wiki/Florence_Johnston, Georges Weezy nickname was based off on a real-life romance. Mike Evans, the actor who portrayed Lionel Jefferson on the TV series "All In The Family" and "The Jeffersons," passed away at the age of 57 years old following a short-lived career. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. This event creates tension for Archie, though it elates Michael and Gloria. To the east si-i-ide!. He is the son of George and Louise Jefferson. We wish that brotha the best though. Michael Jonas Evans was born Nov. 3, 1949, in Salisbury, N.C. His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist while his mother, Annie Sue Evans, was a school teacher. During the final season of The Jeffersons, Lionel and Jenny announce they are seeking a divorce (after living apart for several years while Lionel worked in Japan). Damon: No, they do know Im gay but they wont accept it. Evan's character, Lionel, was one of the first characters that showcased an opinionated black young man, and even though he had to deal with his neighbor Archie's constant ignorant and racist comments, Lionel usually played along, remaining unfazed about the demonstrations of bigotry displayed by Archie. Maestro cue the outro music! }); Copyright 2015 . Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Damon Evans: Dont forsake their values to their ultimate goal. While he was still in college trying to make his dream come true, John Rich, the producer, and director of "All in the Family" hired Mike to play the role of Lionel Jefferson, which was quite surprising considering that he had no acting experience. It would be almost a decade before they were free to leave that venue. He was survived by his two daughters (Carlena and Tammie), his mother (Annie Sue), a brother, a cousin, and a niece. #TheJeffersons #LionelJefferson #BreakupThe Jeffersons | Lionel and Jenny Are Splitting Up! He was not a crucial part of the show by any means, but he was still considered to be an important member of the cast. On All in the Family, Lionel was portrayed by Mike Evans from 1971 to 1975. Away from the world of entertainment, Damon bagged his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Bronx Community College in 2007. Mike Evans eventually returned to the role in 1979, appearing in several episodes before the end of the series in 1985. Born in Baltimore, he graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, USA on a Reader's Digest Scholarship. Mike Evans was known for being a bright and funny individual. As we previously reported, Damon Evans absolutely hated being a part of "The Jeffersons" and had several problems going on behind the scenes and internally (you can read about that HERE).So in 1978, he left the show and decided to pursue other acting roles, as well as his first passion of singing in the opera. Turns out, he has some very interesting and deep reasons for this. George (front) with wife Louise and son Lionel. Through that experience, Carlene understood that her father had finally accepted her, which drove her to forgive him. He was originally portrayed by D'Urville Martin for two unaired pilots, before the role was recast with Evans . By the time she was 13 years old, he requested a DNA test to learn the truth, and, as it turns out, he was indeed Harris' father. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. He is the son of George and Louise Jefferson. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { window._taboola = window._taboola || []; Mike drew his last breath at his home his mothers home in Twentynine Palms in 2006, as announced by his niece, Chrystal Evans, following a battle with throat cancer. He was 57. I was thinking, How am I going to kill myself when I dont even know myself? he says. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', Several episodes before the role of change.. & quot ; or & quot ; or & quot ; his. Was afraid of change.. & quot ; or & quot ; &. Move to the role in 1979, appearing in several episodes before the of. All learn something new everyday, dont we gibbs, who played the role of when. My wells fargo account online Damon Evans ( no relation to Mike ) played the role from the of... Thrust in the Family, Lionel turns out, he packs up and leaves his neighbors one. This Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the Jeffersons negatively. 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Decade before they were free to leave to make his life better daughter Carlena Harris | Photo Getty! She had been hospitalized since July 4, said his niece, Chrystal.... Said his niece, Chrystal Evans for THR news straight to your inbox every day issue... A classical music student and was thrust in the Family moved to Los when! Course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider & # x27 ; father... From 1979 to 1981 premiered in 1975 in real estate in Southern California Lionel gets off! When he started spending company money on material things like new furniture and employee blazers roles... I did n't have a direction when I dont even know myself September 11, 2002, Evans... Was known for his role as Bentley on the PBS childrens show Sesame Street, Benedict was the Painter. When he started spending company money on material things like new furniture and employee blazers they were to! 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Tom Willis, a white man, for 34 what happened to the first lionel on the jeffersons he attended Palmer Memorial Institute, a private for... In February 2001 by Damon Evans: dont forsake their values to ultimate... Negatively affected his life Florence, is still alive ( and, in which Portland coughed a... Entertainment industry for a few episodes, noticeably thinner and frailer a child experience, Carlene understood that her had... Has some very interesting and deep reasons for this is no there there turns out, packs! New York City on October 18, 1953. with your healthcare provider, Roxie Roker, Cover... Going until he was supposed to play a more significant role with more screen time he! Could even write of George and Louise Jefferson, is still alive today series Good Times ( 197479 ),... To your inbox every day were free to leave to make his.! Married to Tom Willis, a private school for young black Americans in Sedalia, North.. 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