We're sad to hear of the death of #JaNetDuBois (1945–2020) — actress, singer and classic TV icon.

She starred as Willona on GOOD TIMES, sang THE JEFFERSONS theme and guest starred on SANFORD AND SON and THE STEVE HARVEY SHOW.

We love you, Ja'Net!

https://t.co/WweYExZxZa
(https://twitter.com/gettv/status/1229884929170923521?s=09)
 

Ja'Net Du Bois (and not Jimmie "J.J." Walker) was the glue that held "Good Times" together during that season when Esther Rolle was off the show.  She (and Willona) were truly the best.  I miss her already.

Edited February 18, 20205 yr by Khan

41 minutes ago, Khan said:

Ja'Net Du Bois (and not Jimmie "J.J." Walker) was the glue that held "Good Times" together during that season when Esther Rolle was off the show.  She (and Willona) were truly the best.  I miss her already.

Many said that season wasn't great and lead to its cancelation but I thought it was one of their best years with Willona front and center. 

Edited February 19, 20205 yr by Soapsuds

a SOAP connection, in the early  1970s she played on Love of Life. Her name in those days was Jeanette Dubois.She played Nurse Loretta Allen from 1970 to 1972

Edited February 18, 20205 yr by oakdalelover

I'm sorry to hear this news. I enjoyed her as Willona. And I am glad she got to do some work on various shows after "Good Times." And also got to enjoy the version that Jimmy Kimmel did not that long ago. She was around and seemed happy to witness that. She was a lovely lady and may she rest in peace.

 

14 minutes ago, Soapsuds said:

Many said that season wasn't great and lead to it's cancelation but I thought it was one of their best years with Willona front and center. 

 

Agree.  The "Dyn-O-Mite!' craze w/ Jimmie Walker had run its' course; and although people tend to blame the writers for Thelma and Michael's thin characterizations, I think neither Bern Nadette Stanis nor Ralph Carter gave the writers much to work with.  Therefore, without Penny and Willona, I don't believe there would have been a "Good Times" for Esther Rolle to return to at the start of the next (and final) season.

 

12 minutes ago, oakdalelover said:

a SOAP connection, in the early  1970s she played on Love of Life. Her name in those days was Jeanette Dubois.

 

Her character's name was Loretta Allen, right?  And didn't Irene Cara portray her daughter, Daisy?

Edited February 19, 20205 yr by Khan

My favorite Willona episode is the dualing mothers from season 6 and the penny adoption episodes from season 5. 

Edited February 19, 20205 yr by Soapsuds

4 hours ago, Soapsuds said:

My favorite Willona episode is the dualing mothers from season 6 and the penny adoption episodes from season 5. 

 

To this day, "DO something about it, niggro!" (from "The Evans' Get Involved") remains one of my all-time favorite lines from any TV series.

 

 

I used to play this on loop!

Ja'Net Du Bois sang her ASS off on the "Jeffersons" theme.  If nothing else, let's remember her for bringing THAT to the table.

The Talk mentioned JaNet passing and showed quick clips of her many entrances into the Evans apartment. They also briefly played The Jeffersons theme song which she sang.

She was great, and I agree that she never got her due for holding GT together that 5th season. Of course, nothing else needs to be said about "Movin' On Up". 💖💖💖💖💖

Had Esther Rolle not agreed to return for S6, I believe the producers and CBS would have refocused the series even more on Ja'Net Du Bois and Janet Jackson, or shut down GT entirely and spun them onto a series of their own.

12 minutes ago, Khan said:

Had Esther Rolle not agreed to return for S6, I believe the producers and CBS would have refocused the series even more on Ja'Net Du Bois and Janet Jackson, or shut down GT entirely and spun them onto a series of their own.

 

If TPTB could have gotten past all those behind the scenes fights, maybe.