Jimmie Walker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jimmie Walker
Walker in 2015
Born	James Carter Walker Jr. (1947-06-25) June 25, 1947 (age 78) New York City, U.S.
Education	Theodore Roosevelt High School
Occupation	Actor, comedian
Years active	1969–present
Known for	J.J. Evans – Good Times

On Good Times (1973), L–R: Ralph Carter, BernNadette Stanis, Jimmie Walker, Esther Rolle, and John Amos

James Carter Walker Jr. (born June 25, 1947) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for playing James ("J.J.") Evans Jr. on the CBS TV show Good Times. This comedy series aired from 1974 to 1979. Jimmie Walker was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in both 1975 and 1976 for his role as J.J. On Good Times, his character became famous for the catchphrase "Dyn-o-mite!" Walker later used this phrase in TV commercials for Panasonic products and in public announcements for Medicare. He also acted in movies like Let's Do It Again (1975) and The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened (1977). Today, Walker still travels around the country performing his stand-up comedy shows.

Early Life and Education

Jimmie Walker was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in the Bronx. He went to Theodore Roosevelt High School in New York City. Through a special program called SEEK, he studied radio engineering with the radio station WRVR. When he was young, Walker also worked as a vendor at Yankee Stadium, starting with the 1964 World Series.

Comedy and Acting Career

In 1967, Walker began working full-time at WRVR, a radio station. In 1969, he started performing as a stand-up comedian. He was discovered by a casting director for Good Times after appearing on shows like Rowan & Martin's Laugh In and the Jack Paar Show. During the time Good Times was very popular, he released a stand-up comedy album called Dyn-o-mite.

When Good Times started in 1974, Jimmie Walker was 26 years old, even though his character, J.J., was much younger. Interestingly, John Amos, who played J.J.'s father on the show, was only eight years older than Walker.

Jimmie Walker has said that the show's producer, John Rich, came up with the famous phrase "Dyn-o-mite!" Rich wanted Walker to say it in every episode. Both Walker and the show's executive producer, Norman Lear, were not sure about the idea at first. However, the phrase and Walker's character quickly became very popular with the audience.

Off-screen, Jimmie Walker did not always get along with Esther Rolle and John Amos, who played his parents on Good Times. They did not like how Walker's character became more silly and how popular he became. Walker felt hurt by their feelings. Because of this, John Amos left the show first, which made Walker the main star.

Later Career Highlights

In 1975, Jimmie Walker also worked as a weekend radio personality in Los Angeles. He appeared on many popular TV shows during the 1970s and early 1980s, including The Tonight Show and Match Game. He was a panelist on Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour for five weeks.

Walker has made guest appearances on many TV series, such as The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Scrubs, Everybody Hates Chris, and George Lopez. He also acted in films like Airplane! (1980), The Guyver (1991), and Super Shark (2011). In 2023, he made a guest appearance on the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful.

Besides guest roles, he starred in two short-lived TV series: At Ease in 1983 and Bustin' Loose in 1987.

In the 1990s, Walker returned to radio, hosting shows on various stations. In 2012, Jimmie Walker's autobiography, Dyn-o-mite! Good Times, Bad Times, Our Times – A Memoir, was published.

Personal Views

Jimmie Walker has stated that he has never been married and does not have children. He describes his political views as being a "realist independent" and a "logicist." This means he believes in using logic and common sense to make decisions.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Video Game Roles

See also

• Black conservatism in the United States