Ernest Thomas
Ernest Lee Thomas was born in an economically-low neighborhood in Gary, Indiana. Ernest Lee Thomas's attempt to become a successful person was to move to New York and become a Broadway actor. Ernest Thomas made his professional debut as as a Broadway actor appearing in the 1974 revival production of Love For Love, also in the 1975 revival production of The Member Of The Wedding. Ernest also because a graduate of the prestigious American Academy Of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Ernest Thomas then moved to Los Angeles to further pursue his career as a television and film actor. Shortly after moving to Los Angeles to further pursue his acting career he received a role on the starting sitcom, The Jeffersons. On The Jeffersons he played a character called Ronnie Walker. Ernest Thomas was informed during a taping session of The Jeffersons that there was an audition for a show called, What's Happening! Ernest Thomas was informed by the agents of Isabel Sanford, The Jefferson sitcom wife. Ernest Thomas landed the role of Roger "Raj" Thomas at the age of 26. Ernest Thomas says there was two-hundred talent actors for the role of Roger Thomas and he states he was very blessed to have been chosen. Ernest Thomas also guest starred on the show,Baretta, as well as The Brady Bunch Show. Shortly after the show's cancellation in 1979 despite it's high ratings, Ernest Thomas was on the verge of making his mark in Hollywood as a movie actor. Thomas received the opportunity to be apart of the comedy crime film, A Piece Of The Action starring along side comedic genius, Bill Cosby and two Academy Award winners Sidney Poitier and James Earl Jones. Ernest Thomas played the character John in the movie; A Piece Of The Action went on to receive rave reviews. Because of Ernest's television and movie success a role especially for him was written on the successful mini-series, Roots. Ernest Thomas played the character Kailubu on the mini-series. Roots went on to win several prestigious awards and inspired millions of people to find their ancestral background like Alex Haley. What's Happening Now was the spin-off sitcom of What's Happening! This time the spin-off presented Raj as a more matured and well-developed character even having a wife played by Anna Marie Johnson,and becoming a successful writer. The show was in syndication for three years and soon after the show ended, Ernest Thomas made several guest appearances on various shows as Raj Thomas. Raj Thomas appeared in shows such as The Parent 'Hood, Martin, Soul Food, The Steve Harvey Show, All About the Andersons and Just Jordan. In 1992, Ernest Thomas starred along side various actors including Denzel Washington in the biographical movie, Malcolm X. Ernest Thomas played the character Sidney. The film was a success and was recently selected to be placed in the United States National Film Registry by Library Of Congress as they described it as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". In 1996, Ernest Thomas starred opposite gospel Grammy award singer, Kirk Franklin in the sold out tour of "He Say, She Say, But What Does God Say". In 2005, Ernest Thomas made his comeback of being a sit-com star by being a recurring character in the period sitcom, Everybody Hates Chris. Ernest Thomas played a funeral director, Mr.Omar. Ernest Thomas also because of this role is vividly remembered by younger and older audiences. Ernest Thomas also earned a bachelor degree of Science in Sociology and Psychology from Indiana State University. See full bio on IMDb »
