BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY Ja'net Dubois
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| Ja'net Dubois | |
|---|---|
Dubois as Willona Woods on Good Times, 1975.
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| Born | Jeannette Dubois August 5, 1945 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actress, Singer |
| Years active | 1966–2011 |
Jeannette "Ja'net" Dubois (pronounced jâ·nā dü·bô; born August 5, 1945) is an American actress and singer. Dubois is perhaps best known for her portrayal of the wise-cracking, gossip maven Willona Woods on the 1970s sitcom Good Times. She also co-wrote and sang the theme song of the sitcom The Jeffersons.
Life and career
Dubois was born in Brooklyn, New York. She has appeared in a number of other television programs (usually as a guest star), most notably in 1972, during the second season of Sanford and Son as Fred's old flame Juanita in an episode entitled "Sanford and Son and Sister Makes Three" (this appearance got her noticed by Norman Lear, and led to her being cast in Good Times and in films). She usually found herself playing roles which made her seem much older than she was. For example, when Good Times premiered in 1974 she was 29, a few years older than Jimmie Walker, while the show made her out to be much closer in age to Esther Rolle, who was 53 at the time. Also, according to most sources, Rolle enjoyed working with Du'Bois, just fine, despite a 25 year age difference. After John Amos' character, Evans family father, James Evans, was killed on the series, Du'Bois's acting mentor didn't like the way the writers took the show to a different direction, hence, Rolle left, making DuBois the de facto star of the series, alongside Walker.[1] In 1970, Dubois played the part of a quarrelsome laundress alongside Carrie Snodgrass in the cult classic, "Diary of a Mad Housewife".
She co-starred in the movie I'm Gonna Git You Sucka and the sitcoms Moesha and The Steve Harvey Show. She played the grandmother on the hit show The Wayans Bros., and appeared in the 2003 movie Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle. Among her other CREDITS
, she appeared in the 1969 made-for-TV holiday film J.T.. She also appeared in former Good Times co-star Janet Jackson's "Control" music video as her mother. She also appeared in Love of Life between 1970-1972 as Loretta Allen, years prior to starring inGood Times. Dubois won an CableACE Award for her work on the TV movie Other Women's Children based on the novel by Perri Klass, and she also two Emmy Awards for her voiceover work on the animated PROGRAM The PJs.
, she appeared in the 1969 made-for-TV holiday film J.T.. She also appeared in former Good Times co-star Janet Jackson's "Control" music video as her mother. She also appeared in Love of Life between 1970-1972 as Loretta Allen, years prior to starring inGood Times. Dubois won an CableACE Award for her work on the TV movie Other Women's Children based on the novel by Perri Klass, and she also two Emmy Awards for her voiceover work on the animated PROGRAM The PJs.Film and television
| Year(s) | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | A Man Called Adam | Martha |
| 1969 | J.T. | Rodeen GAMBLE |
| 1970–1972 | Love of Life (unknown episodes) | Loretta Allen |
| 1972 | Sanford and Son (1 episode) | Juanita |
| 1973 | The Resolution of Mossie Wax | |
| 1973 | Five on the Black Hand Side | Stormy Monday |
| 1973 | Shaft (1 episode) | Diana Richie |
| 1973 | The Blue Knight | Celia Louise |
| 1974–1979 | Good Times (127 episodes) | Willona Woods |
| 1974 | Kojak (1 episode) | Paula Thomas |
| 1975 | Caribe (1 episode) | Melinda Jameson |
| 1977 | A Piece of the Action | Nellie Bond |
| 1979 | Roots: The Next Generations | Sally Harvey |
| 1980 | The Love Boat (1 episode) | Evelyn Hopkins |
| 1981 | Hellinger's Law | Dottie Singer |
| 1981 | The Facts of Life (1 episode) | Ethel, Tootie's Grandmother |
| 1981 | The Sophisticated Gents | Onetha Wiggins |
| 1983 | The Tom Swift and Linda Craig Mystery Hour | Mrs. Gorman |
| 1985 | Crazy Like a Fox (1 episode) | |
| 1986 | Stranded | Bettina |
| 1987 | Kids Like These | Mrs. Page |
| 1988 | Houston Knights (1 episode) | |
| 1988 | I'm Gonna Git You Sucka | Ma Bell |
| 1989 | Nearly Departed (1 episode) | Clerk |
| 1990 | Penny Ante: The Motion Picture | Aunt |
| 1990 | Heart Condition | Mrs. Stone |
| 1990 | New Attitude (1 episode) | Irma |
| 1990 | Doctor Doctor (1 episode) | Ella Wilkes |
| 1990 | Hammer, Slammer, & Slade | Joanne Wilson |
| 1991 | A Different World (1 episode) | Brenda Hanes |
| 1991 | True Colors (1 episode) | May Freeman |
| 1991 | Dream On (1 episode) | June |
| 1992 | Beverly Hills, 90210 (1 episode) | Arlene |
| 1992,1993 | The Golden Palace (2 episodes) | Louise Wilson |
| 1993 | Harlan & Merleen | Maxine |
| 1994 | Sister, Sister (1 episode) | Mother O'Dantelle |
| 1994 | Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1 episode) | Dorothy Cooper |
| 1991,1995 | Home Improvement (2 episodes) | Carol / ... |
| 1995 | ER (1 episode) | Macy Chamberlain |
| 1995 | Magic Island | Lucretia |
| 1996 | Sophie & the Moonhanger | Agnes |
| 1996 | Don't Look Back | Mrs. Lawson |
| 1997 | Moesha (1 episode) | Mrs. Moss |
| 1997 | Touched by an Angel (1 episode) | Esther Hamilton |
| 1996–1998 | The Wayans Bros. (10 episodes) | various roles |
| 1995 | Martin: All The Players Came | Herself |
| 1998 | Best Friends for Life | Katie Pegues |
| 1998 | Hard Time | Lefty |
| 1999 | Waterproof | Viola Battle |
| 1999 | Clueless (1 episode) | Mrs. Davenport |
| 1999 | Hard Time: Hostage Hotel | Lefty, Logan's Assistant |
| 1999–2001 | The PJs (42 episodes) | Mrs. Florence Avery |
| 2000 | The Steve Harvey Show (1 episode) | Delores |
| 2000 | Everybody Loves Raymond (1 episode) | Dottie |
| 2000,2002 | As Told by Ginger (2 episodes) | Mrs. Patterson |
| 2003 | Boomtown (1 episode) | Denise Smith |
| 2003 | One on One (1 episode) | Queen Esther |
| 2003 | Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle | Momma Bosley |
| 2004 | Waterproof | Viola Battle |
| 2006 | Crossing Jordan (1 episode) | Mrs. Jones |
| 2007 | Random! Cartoons (1 episode) | Mom |
| 2007 | Cold Case (1 episode) | Edna Johnson |
| 2011 | G.I. Joe: Renegades | Grams Hinton                                                                                                                              |
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