Ernest Lee Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ernest Lee Thomas
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Thomas in 2015
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| Born | March 26, 1949 Gary, Indiana, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Known for | Roger "Raj" Thomas on What's Happening!! and What's Happening Now!!, and Mr. Omar on Everybody Hates Chris |
Ernest Lee Thomas is an American actor. He was born on March 26, 1949. He is famous for playing Roger "Raj" Thomas. This role was in the 1970s TV show What's Happening!!. He also played Raj in its 1980s follow-up, What's Happening Now!!. Another well-known role for him is Mr. Omar. He played Mr. Omar on the TV show Everybody Hates Chris.
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Ernest Lee Thomas's Early Acting Career
Ernest Thomas was born in Gary, Indiana. He started his acting career on Broadway. This is where he performed in plays. In 1974, he was in a play called Love for Love. The next year, he appeared in The Member of the Wedding. Both of these plays also starred actress Glenn Close.
Moving to Los Angeles and TV Roles
Soon after his Broadway work, Ernest Thomas moved to Los Angeles. He wanted to act in TV shows and movies. In 1975, he got a part on an episode of The Jeffersons. While working on that show, he heard about an audition. It was for a new TV show. This show was based on the 1975 movie Cooley High.
How What's Happening!! Began
Ernest Thomas auditioned for the new show. He won the main role. The first version of the show was filmed. However, it did not test well with audiences. The idea was then changed. It became more light-hearted. The show was first called Central Avenue. Later, its name became What's Happening!!. Ernest Thomas was the only actor kept from the first version. He played the main character, Roger "Raj" Thomas. This new show was a big hit. It aired from 1976 to 1979.
During his time on What's Happening!!, Ernest Thomas also worked on other projects. He was in TV shows like Baretta and The Brady Bunch Hour. He also appeared in the movie A Piece of the Action. This movie starred famous actors Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby. Ernest Thomas was almost chosen for the main role in the miniseries Roots. That role went to LeVar Burton. However, Ernest Thomas did play a smaller part in Roots. He played a character named Kailuba.
Later Career and Famous Roles
After What's Happening!! ended, Ernest Thomas took a break from TV and film. Six years later, he returned to play Roger "Raj" Thomas again. This was for the show What's Happening Now!!. This show was shown in different TV markets from 1985 to 1988.
Guest Appearances on TV Shows
Since What's Happening Now!! finished, Ernest Thomas has appeared in many popular TV shows. These include dramas and comedies. He was on In the Heat of the Night. His TV wife from What's Happening Now!!, Anne-Marie Johnson, was also in that show. He also appeared on The Parent 'Hood and Martin. His co-star from What's Happening Now!!, Martin Lawrence, starred in Martin. Other shows he guest-starred on include Soul Food, The Steve Harvey Show, and All About the Andersons. More recently, he was on Just Jordan.
Movie Roles and Mr. Omar
Ernest Thomas has also been in several movies. He had a supporting role in Malcolm X. He also made a quick appearance in Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. Later, he got a regular role as Mr. Omar. Mr. Omar was a funeral director on the TV show Everybody Hates Chris. He also had a small, uncredited role on Are We There Yet?. In 2012, he was in the movie The Lords of Salem. In 2016, he appeared in a short comedy film called Earworm.
Ernest Lee Thomas's Personal Life
Ernest Thomas has an eye condition called amblyopia. He is also a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
Ernest Lee Thomas's Film and TV Work
Ernest Thomas has had many roles in movies and on television.
Movies
He has appeared in films such as:
- A Piece of the Action (1977)
- Malcolm X (1992)
- Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003)
- Funny People (2009)
- The Lords of Salem (2012)
- Mega Shark vs. Kolossus (2015)
- Chocolate City (2015)
- Chocolate City: Vegas Strip (2017)
Television Shows
His TV appearances include:
- The Jeffersons (1975)
- What's Happening!! (1976–1979) as Roger "Raj" Thomas
- Roots (1977)
- What's Happening Now!! (1985–1988) as Roger "Raj" Thomas
- In the Heat of the Night (1990)
- Martin (1996)
- The Steve Harvey Show (2000)
- Everybody Hates Chris (2005–2009) as Mr. Omar
- Are We There Yet? (2012)
- Workaholics (2017)
- Veep (2017)
- Everybody Still Hates Chris (2024–present) as Mr. Omar (voice)
