<P> Michael Jonas Evans (November 3, 1949--December 14, 2006) was an American actor, best known as Lionel Jefferson on both All in the Family and The Jeffersons . </P> <P> Evans was born in Salisbury, North Carolina . His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist, and his mother, Annie Sue Evans, a teacher . He attended Palmer Memorial Institute, a private school for young black Americans in Sedalia, North Carolina just outside Greensboro . His family later moved to Los Angeles, where he graduated from Los Angeles High School . He studied acting at Los Angeles City College . </P> <P> Evans is best known for his recurring role as Lionel Jefferson on All in the Family and was the first and final actor to play Lionel on the spin - off The Jeffersons . He played Lionel on The Jeffersons for much of its 11 - year run, with the majority of his appearances occurring from 1979 to 1981 . Actor and opera singer Damon Evans (no relation to Michael) played the role from September 1975 to January 1978 on The Jeffersons, as Mike Evans was busy pursuing other aspects of his career . </P> <P> Evans was also one of the creators and writers of the series Good Times (1974 - 79). </P>

Who played the original lionel on the jeffersons