Rob Reiner gave Mike Evans his big break in All in the Family

Mike Evans and Rob Reiner

Mike Evans was known for originating the role of Lionel Jefferson on All in the Family. where he remained for five years. He also starred with Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford as George and Louise Jefferson in the AITF spin-off The Jeffersons.

What is not widely known is that the actor was discovered by Rob Reiner, who portrayed Michael "Meathead" Stivic on the CBS sitcom. Reiner and his wife, Michelle, were murdered by their son Nick on December 14, 2025.

Evans was hitchhiking, which was common in the 1970s but considered dangerous today. Reiner stopped to give him a ride, and Mike shared that he was an actor looking for work.

Reiner got him an audition, but initially, he was considered wrong for the role. He was later chosen to portray Lionel, and as they say, the rest is history.

Evans was born in Salisbury, North Carolina, on November 3, 1949. His father, Theodore Evans Sr., was a dentist, and his mother, Annie Sue Evans, was a teacher.[1] He attended Palmer Memorial Institute, a private school for young African Americans in Sedalia, North Carolina. His family later moved to Los Angeles, where he graduated from Los Angeles High School. He studied acting at Los Angeles City College.

Lionel was Evans's big break

Evans was a drama major in college with no acting experience when Reiner gave him a ride. Norman Lear, the creator of All in the Family wanted Cleavon Little in the role of Lionel, but Reiner said Evans, who was less threatening, would be ideal, and Lear listened. This little-known fact is not often mentioned among Reiner's many accomplishments.

Evans portrayed Lionel on All in the Family from 1971 to 1975. During that time, he appeared in TV shows like The Streets of San Francisco, Far Out Space Nuts, and Love American Style. He was in the films Call Her Mom, Killer by Night, and The House on Still Mountain.

He joined the cast of The Jeffersons in 1975 but left after the first season, allegedly over a money dispute. Damon Evans began playing Lionel, but Mike returned in seasons six, seven, eight, and eleven. The two were not related.

In 1976, he joined the cast of The Practice as Lenny. He remained for two seasons, and this was his last credited role. He was also a creator and writer for the series Good Times, which ran from 1974 to 1979.

On All in the Family, Mike and Lionel were best friends. Although Reiner was responsible for helping Evans start his career, there is no indication that they were close friends off-screen.

Mike Evans was born Michael Jones Evans on November 3, 1949 in Salisbury, North Carolina. His parents were Theodore Evans Sr., a dentist, and Annie Sue Evans, a teacher.

According to Wikepedia his career lasted only 14 years until 1985. However, Ebans was in an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger in 2000, titled Faith. In later years, he became a real estate agent with properties in Inland Island.

Although his time in the entertainment industry was brief, Mike Evans was a part of three of the most iconic television series ever. All in the Family, Good Times, and The Jeffersons continue on streaming services and retro channels to the delight of long-time fans.

The actor/writer/producer died at age 57 from throat cancer. He passed away at his mother's California home on December 14, 2006, and was cremated.

He had never married but was survived by his two daughters (Carlena and Tammie), his mother (Annie Sue), a brother, a cousin, and a niece. Carlena said during an interview that her father had been a heavy smoker.

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