Another celebrated T.V. actress has passed away.
According to TMZ, Ja’net DuBois has died at age 74. DuBois famously played Willona Woods, the beloved next-door neighbor to the Evans family on the seminal 1970s sitcom “Good Times”.
According to family, DuBois died unexpectedly in her sleep at her home in Glendale, California. It’s not revealed who discovered her body on Tuesday morning. Sources say DuBois hadn’t complained of any particular ailments recently and she appeared to be in good health. She even made an appearance at a fan event in Hollywood a few weeks ago. A cause of death has yet to be determined.
DuBois has appeared in various movies over the years, including “Tropic Thunder”, “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” and “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle”. Her role as Willona is probably her most lasting legacy, considering she brought another fiery female perspective to the Evans family. The CBS show made its debut in February 1974 and ended in August 1979, running for six seasons.
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Along with being an actress, DuBois also let her musical talents shine. She composed and sang the theme song “Movin’ On Up” for another hit show, “The Jeffersons”, which ran from 1975 to 1985. DuBois got her start on Broadway, where she was the cast member in a number of plays including “Golden Boy” with Sammy Davis Jr. and Louis Gossett Jr. as well as “A Raisin In The Sun.” To add to her list of accolades, DuBois also won two Emmy awards for her voice-over work on the show “The PJs”. DuBois is survived by three children.The news of DuBois’ death comes only hours after news of another T.V. actress’ passing. According to TMZ, Esther Scott passed away a couple of days after suffering a heart attack last Tuesday. Scott had an extensive career in the entertainment industry, having appeared in at least 73 movies and T.V. shows going back to the 80s. She most recently played the role of Bridget, one of Nat Turner‘s relatives, in the 2016 flick “Birth of a Nation”. Her most memorable role was probably in the 1990s classic “Boyz n the Hood”. She played the grandmother of a girl Tre (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.) was trying to hook up with. Her quick but memorable scene involved her rushing upstairs with a butcher knife to come after Tre in his daughter’s room. She died at age 66. In remembrance of Ja’net DuBois, you can check out some beautiful photos of the actress below.
1. RIP Ja'net DuBois: Remembering Willona From 'Good Times' With Beautiful Photos Spanning Her Life
Source: Getty
Ja’Net Dubois, circa 1975. (Photo by Getty Images)
2. Scene From 'Good Times'
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American actresses Janet Jackson (left) and Ja’net DuBois in a scene from the television series ‘Good Times,’ Los Angeles, California, late 1970s. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)
3. Ja'net Dubois
Source: Getty
UNSPECIFIED – 1st JANUARY: Posed studio image of American actress and singer Ja’net Dubois in 1975. (Photo by Gilles Petard/Redferns)
4. Women in Film LA Present the 2007 Power Breakfast "Minority Report"
Source: Getty
Ja’Net Dubois during Women in Film LA Present the 2007 Power Breakfast “Minority Report” at Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by M. Tran/FilmMagic)
5. BET Comedy Awards – Arrivals In Pasadena, United States On September 28, 2004.
Source: Getty
UNITED STATES – SEPTEMBER 28: BET Comedy Awards – Arrivals in Pasadena, United States on September 28, 2004 – Ja’net Dubois arrives at the BET Comedy Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. (Photo by Mike FANOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
6. "Think Like A Man" Los Angeles Premiere – Arrivals
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HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 09: Ja’net DuBois arrives at the “Think Like A Man” Los Angeles Premiere at ArcLight Cinemas on February 9, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)
7. Array
Source: WENN
Ja'net DuBoisnNAACP 17th Annual Theatre Awards held at the Director's GuildnHollywood, California – 19.02.07
8. 27th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival Opening Night Red Carpet
Source: Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 07: (L-R) Ja’net DuBois and Marla Gibbs attend the 27th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival Opening Night Red Carpet at Cinemark Los Angeles – Baldwin Hills 15 & XD on February 8, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images)
9. Janet Jackson's State Of The World Tour After Party
Source: Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 08: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Singer-songwriter Janet Jackson meets Singer-songwriter and Actress Ja’net Dubois at the Janet Jackson’s State Of The World Tour After Party at Lure on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images)
