The Tragedy of Ernest Lee Thomas Life is Beyond Heartbreaking!

[@sn00per8]

I met him in 96, in Van Nuys, CA. Very humble dude!! Extremely nice.

[@karendorsey4780]

So glad he has overcome his addiction to drugs. I grew up watching What’s Happening! One my favorite shows!!

[@robbingrafton4364]

Me too

[@sherryjennings9542]

As a deliverd addict Jesus did it for me too. Give glory to whom glory is due.❤❤❤❤

[@rosalynmartin519]

He did it for me too. I used to smoke weed all day long (10-15 blunts a day). Yahuah (God) delivered me 2 years ago and I have been free every since. Praise Yah!

[@jacalynjohnson4656]

Wow didn’t know he was addicted to drugs…..so glad he has overcome his circumstances.

[@Hipsnkurves]

I met him and he bought my book that I wrote. He is so very kind and humble. He’s fine now and doing well🙏🏽

[@robertjones8771]

🙏🏾🤔Prayers for Mr.Ernest Thomas💪🏽✊🏽

[@debrahjean0927]

Thank you Jesus for saving him.

[@HowToTouch]

Jesus is a messenger and servant of Allah. He is not the begotten son of Allah. Someone who is killed cannot be God.

[@dizzle2584]

I know him as Raj from “what’s happening”.My kids know him as Mr. Omar from “everybody hates Chris” He’s very memorable in all he does. Me and the fam appreciate the good laughs.

[@biggvern35]

Also that crazy dance he did on What’s happening

[@MyNameIsUnavailable]

He was in Malcolm X, too

[@robbingrafton4364]

Facts

[@mongoslade277]

"TRAGIC, TRAGIC"

[@CulturalProspect]

Agreed. There's something about him. He's not what you'd call attractive as in a sexual way but, there's something about his spirit that pulls you in. I've felt this way since I was a child and, I was born the year the original show was cancelled. 🤔🌈

[@arleneliberti2949]

I LIKE HIM NO ONE IS PERFECT . GOD BLESS HIM AMEN. 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@BrandiCodyDavid]

Such a great testimony! So glad for him tapping into his power within.

[@dazeja]

Shows you how a kid’s mind is. I literally thought this show was on forever, but it was only on air for 3 years.

[@Mister75199]

They rebooted it a few times

[@mspattywatty]

I thought it was on for far more years as well…but like u said, for kids an hour seems like forever😊- the reboot with his wife was nice but nothing like the original 3.

[@jelanifoster9315]

Exactly

[@geminate3997]

3 years and automatic classic

[@ryerob4815]

That's pure joy. Being frozen in moments for years. Bliss.

[@sweets6865]

What's Happening was my favorite show as a kid. I still watch it on the streaming channels.

[@shameikasmith2910]

ME TOO❤❤❤❤

[@GLITTERandSKULLZ]

One of mine as well.

[@deeperbeauty4147]

Good for him. Glad he was able to kick his habit and straighten out his life. I appreciate his honesty about the other celebrities..

[@chuckc7239]

When riding a wave, one must realize, it will eventually make it to shore,one should always have a land plan

[@1990758]

Exactly but unfortunately they think the fame is gonna last forever

[@theydidthat9223]

Malcom X he did amazing! ❤

[@delham7004]

To God be the Glory Ernest overcame his addictions. He turned to the right source, Our creator. Only in His presence are we at peace regardless of fame and fortune.🙏🏾🙌🏾✝️

[@HowToTouch]

Jesus is a messenger and servant of Allah. He is not the begotten son of Allah. Someone who is killed cannot be God.

[@NottyGurlStyle]

I grew up on What’s Happening and Rog was my favorite character. I didn’t know about his back story and the things that happened to him but it was always fun to see him pop up on shows that I was watching over the years. I’m glad he’s doing well these days and he’s in a better place.

[@alexstone3822]

Thank God I never did drugs.

[@1990758]

Me to

[@Laflower60]

Me 3

[@kassandra3756]

Wow, …very awakening. I’m so glad that he is still here and that he made it through. He seems like a very humble person and does not look a day beyond his days as Raj!!! God bless him!!!

[@deewoo2776]

I'm glad he conquered his vices and is still here to tell his story. May God continue to bless him. It's sad that Hollywood dosen't give Black actors a pay raise on a hit show compared to White casted shows. Look at the sitcom "Friends" demanding 1 million dollars per episode and they got what they demanded. Double standard.

[@jeffreyconyers-z3r]

Big hit shows get actors on major network big pay days.

[@deewoo2776]

Friends sitcom copied the sitcom Living Single. Living Single castmates only got a small fraction of pay compared to Friends. Living Single was much funnier than Friends dry dull humor. Living Single lasted 5 seasons barely because Fox Channel wanted to cancel it earlier so they couldn't get syndication. Old trick to not give the actors residuals.

[@jeffreyconyers-z3r]

This story been reported, and NBC had more weight than Living Single upstart network. Then Friends had better management to get that wealth.@@deewoo2776

[@patriciamitchell9365]

They got the money based on viewership. More people looked at Friends than any other show at that time.

[@rickysmith3214]

@@deewoo2776 Sad fact. The good news for us viewers and the Living Single crew is it airs every weekday on more than one cable channel and they are mandated residuals from that.

[@allinonethegreat]

Moral of the story is don’t do drugs or you will lose it all

[@1990758]

Exactly

[@draslovkaclarion5517]

Ozzy Osborne didn't lose it all. And he's done almost every drug known to man.

[@FloydBanks-th8ss]

The moral of the story is invest especially when you are doing well.

[@MichaelThePlaya50]

Yep,lots of people went down from drugs.my cousin hung himself just 2 weeks ago😢 from drug usage.

[@mspattywatty]

@@MichaelThePlaya50I’m sorry for your loss…drugs have taken too many far too soon…

[@shameikasmith2910]

I still watch this show...... ❤❤❤❤❤

[@JamesMorrow-z4s]

One of my favorites tv shows growing up never new his story so happy that he better

[@jamesjones-nt2mh]

Nobody noticed how they tried to take the credit away from JESUS CHRIST...and said he got back to his Muslim roots ,but Raj cleared it up and said who brung him out of what he was going through

[@riseagain9677]

I caught it

[@rontosha23]

Yea, I didn't like that. Paused and came str8 to the comments. Glad somebody else caught that besides me. I don't even want to listen to the rest but imma try. I thought the man was Muslim according to her. So I wonder what else she's getting wrong 😠. If you gone tell it, tell it right. Be coming for my Jesus. Disrespectful. Let me try to get out my feelings.

[@MercySavedme-ft4ql]

Why she mention muslim and he said jc?

[@divinelytaylored]

Yes I noticed too and went to the comments about it. Glad the video showed his TRUE ttestimony..of healing from Jesus Christ, the Truth, the Way & the Life!

[@elderjamesdguilloryjr.5056]

Yes I noticed it however he gave Jesus the glory several times in the interview nobody can shut Jesus down

[@sherriecampbell6914]

I ❤loved his character on "What's Happening ", I am happy to hear he is doing much better in writing for other shows . You gift will always continue to make room for you . Loved his character ❤

[@tiz6549]

I never did drugs / alcohol or sold drugs! I have been thru some things but i never look let myself down! My mind and soul was too strong to go down the drug road...

[@thejazzman210]

The "Mr Omar" character was funnier than anything else I've seen Ernest Thomas in.

[@iiLoveHarryStyles13]

lol I’m literally sitting here watching it now lol his house just got robbed and they took his red bone 😂 he funny af

[@belizegal29]

“Tragic,Tragic!”😂😂

[@noemisantos3655]

I am glad that he made it through the storm I enjoy watching him he was a positive person on that show stay strong my brother

[@KathyBarr-o3k]

Still remember the show,and love it❤️💯🙌🏿

[@mylesburris3885]

A very nice Gentleman!!! I met him at my former church West Angeles C.O.G.I.C.!

[@shalaandulin5168]

I still watch this show over and over 3 seasons that I have almost every night when I get off work. Never get tired of it ❤❤❤

[@loislanesalters8574]

I met him about 5yrs ago in Hampton va Barnes and nobles. He was so kind. He had left his wallet I gave it to him and seemed appreciative and got in his rent a car and left.

[@nikki3321100]

This was one of my favorite shows. It was so funny! I still watch it. I was surprised that his net worth is only 500k

[@ryerob4815]

Is recognize him too that was part of my joy im the show. He is unique. His look, his walk, his laugh, his voice is all one of a kind.

[@Wridde23]

The show was produced by Eric Monte only, not Norman Lear.

[@LonnellRich]

Him and Eric monte survived homelessness and drug addiction

[@c-larockthemayor2719]

I glad somebody notice Monte never got his justice do Hollywood just do black folks wrong sometime

[@jamesdavis1428]

Lear was full of 💩 a charlatan, a perpetrator, and a liar

[@jamesdavis1428]

An a thief

[@viamoore4218]

He was great in Malcolm X… ❤

[@countryboylife5darlowe391]

What’s Happening!! Raj, Moms, Dee, Shirley, Dewayne, and ReRun was the show back in my youth

[@yeslia2010Godis]

Why the click bate Title? There was nothing Heartbreaking about this, more a testament to God's delivering Power and he's still alive... Glad his life is back on track !!

[@wit2pz]

These bot accounts are terrible at truth and actual people narrating. The narrator said "He returned to his muslim roots..." while he said he turned it all over to Jesus Christ... This AI stuff is just... ugh!!

[@yeslia2010Godis]

@@wit2pz Wow I hadn't even thought about this being a bot.. They are popping up all over...smh Thanks..

[@reimourrpower9357]

I was Raj and Raj was me! Even though he's 2 decades older, when I saw WHAT'S HAPPENIN'? and Ernest Lee Thomas as Raj, I knew that as a skinny darkskinned guy with glasses, it's possible to be a cool nerd and most importantly, get women.😉 Raj always had beautiful sisters on his arm or tried to get with. Thank you Ernest Lee Thomas for all your sacrifices and breakthroughs as a human being along with your artistic and cultural contributions. * Soulful Screen TV this was a great feature. But it was totally tasteless & disrespectful to use questionable sources to exposes estimates about Mr. Thomas' net worth. This can effect the quotes they request for futher work and can be dangerous for working actors who do not travel with 24/7 security. Save that for 9-figure celebs with bodyguards who do not care about salacious rumors, Mr. Thomas and others are legendary working artists. Thank you SSTV and be as great as you potentially can be.

[@ginagibson407]

Your testimonies will be an uplifting experience for those who needs to hear this in directing them along a gracious path when JESUS speaks humble yourselves before him and listen this is what you did and continue to be BLESSED 🙏🏾

[@naturalkinks8683]

Now im gonna go find some old episodes of the show 🥰

[@ShawnC.T.]

Earnest Thomas is a good man...🙂

[@helbitkelbit1790]

But Redd Foxx is funnier....

[@Deenee-em2er]

Gary, Indiana My Hometown, so glad Ernest survived the drugs and gave JESUS the credit of seeing Him through it. May GOD continue to Bless His Life and hope to see Him more on the big and small screen 💝

[@anngrubbs2436]

I loved What's Happening and the entire cast. My son ran into Mr. Thomas at a grocery store. He recognized Mr. . Thomas, stopped him ans talked to him. My son told him how much I liked him and his acting. They chatted about 20 mins. Mr. Thomas asked for my address and sent me the nicest autographed photo. The things he said were so nice, thoughtful and humble. I will never forget that. I still have the photo 15 years later. Lol

[@reimourrpower9357]

awesome story, all the best to you and Mr. Thomas!

[@LC_2012]

Ok, so the thumbnail and title were click bait. But it was his Christian faith and not Muslim that got him through his trials as he reported. Otherwise than that it's good to hear he's lived a good life.

[@jeffmiller9798]

Praise King Jesus!

[@wit2pz]

AI bot accounts/ narrators. Accuracy be damned; it's content and gets clicks... win for them.

[@ritagreenlaw8923]

What's Happening was my favorite show.

[@kokhotoms1620]

Between Will Smith's "dumb dancing", Carlton Banks's "The Carlton" and Roger Thomas my vote for silly dancing is for "The Raj" I still crack up when I watch old footage of Raj trying to be cool dancing.😂😂😂😂

[@brotha_tree]

Did anyone spot him in "Roots" alongside LeVar Burton as one of young Mandinka warriors-in-training? ✊🏾

[@patriciagodfrey264]

Great Show😊

[@WhizMitchell]

Net worth is $500,000. Most people don’t have that. The man is doing well.

[@eddiprosper4347]

I'm so glad this guy is alive. He deserves all the best. ABC owes him checks. Malibu owes him a condo.

[@UncleVonNewz]

Thank God for his Sister..

[@LawrenceDaniels-so9zv]

I loved that show as a teenager 😅

[@zvkvhs3818]

“Tragic-TRAGIC!”

[@DaBiggestChief]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bettycrayton6696]

Why Would You Lie? This is not breaking news!!! & Why would you add Lester? Terrible! Terrible!

[@blove2023]

You got that! 😂

[@derrickhewlett5803]

😂my favorite line

[@autumnsmom1117]

@zvkvhs3818 I was looking for this comment.👏🏾😂😂😂

[@Ncogniigro]

So we just gonna ignore rerun cooking chicken with an iron? @3:44 😂😂

[@piscesdiva50]

6:26 Wow they scared the hell out of me. Had me thinking Ernest was dead. Well he is alive and well and my Facebook friend. He is also working on the animated series of Everybody hate Chris as Mr. Omar. This i know is because I have a cousin Terrance little gardenhigh who will be the voice of Drew. Blessings to Ernest always..❤

[@Robert-we6xo]

I'm glad he gave the glory to Christ, for getting him off of crack and drugs. I'm a witness of the power of sincere prayer.

[@icecreamladydream]

I met him at a store on Labrea in LA. He was so so nice

[@ruth..]

I glad he recovered. I love watching him on Everybody hates Chris.

[@jesuslittlegirl2710]

NO WEAPON SHALL FORM AGAINST ME SHALL PROPER, AMEN 🙌🙏☺️👌🙂👍🤲🤗📖😆🙆‍♀️💯🧎‍♀️👩🙋‍♀️👏🎊🎤✨️🎉HALLELUJAH GLORY TO GOD ✝️ 🙏 🙌

[@outreachvideo]

Its hard to believe no one thought it important enough to find out how much was the cast making per episode.

[@michelebcombs5016]

I applaud those who get clean with the help from NA and AA. I, too give ALL CREDIT TO JESUS CHRIST for delivery me from the crack claws.

[@sweetpea74127]

He seems like a cool guy! I'm glad he's doing well.

[@douglasworley-lr9dr]

MUCH BLESSINGS TO YOU MY BROTHA!!!!!!😊😊😊😊😊

[@SmilingNautilus-eq1tl]

Wasn't bad on everybody hates chis as the under taker.

[@NandiJohnston-p6f]

'Just finished reading Ms. Danielle Spencer's book #ThroughtheFire: A Child Star's Journal. *It* was soo good, I felt mild bereft when it ended. Good content. Luv her! She gifts hope, inspiration! We saw Mr. Ernest Thomas' book up there too... we'll soon get that 1 too. 7:34 & his fellow #Aries. 9:07 wow... that picture of "Ali" there... Will Smith portraying *him* really came into Focus! Uncanny! 9:58 *That's* awesome! 🙂 10:46 his b u t t? I luv #WhatsHappening & even #WhatsHappeningNow #Classics! Thankhs y'all. They deserved raise$!

[@YNotWAKEUp]

Kool down to earth guy, i remember, however, easily and with fun, chilled at a club i once performed at, and a great personality of a great guy.

[@robinjennings2378]

God bless him ❤️🙏🏽

[@MiaMonroe-iu2ch]

What's Happening was my show as a child! I absolutely LOVED all of them and when Rerun would dance... the rest is history 😂 I also remember the episodes that Martin Lawrence was on What's Happening.

[@LexDiamond270]

Yes!!!! Jesus is the Only Way. Give all your troubles to Him! My Savior

[@Watchout-b6y]

Partying, Drugs and spending money on fake friends. What could go wrong?

[@1990758]

Lol

[@jeanettegrady8932]

Glad he got his self together.

[@loisnoble9139]

I've noticed on several occasions every time black or brown actors ask for a raise their show is cancelled. New York Under Cover for example. Their white counterparts never face this type of rejection even though in most cases they're not funny and couldn't act themselves out of a damn paper bag.

[@victormorales3604]

Unless you count Suzanne Somers and Farrah Fawcett, they both got canned for asking for more money. Herve"Tattoo" Villachaize got booted off Fantasy island because he asked for a major raise, and Bob Denver got booted from Gilligan's island for asking for more money. Also, the girl from the "love boat", she wanted more money for her drug use and got replaced by a sober actress half her age.

[@662koolchris]

Why is Lester Holt on the cover of this video?

[@powerplay4real174]

He did a good acting job in Malcolm X 💯

[@themuzz351]

Sad!! - age old story whenever anyone asked for a raise - inspite of popularity!!

[@10141966ful]

Yes Jesus delivered me too May 19 will be 15 years. Hallelujah thank You Lord amen

[@6time686]

My favorite TV show next to The Jeffersons.

[@supermetroid009]

One could say his life was Tragic! Tragic! Sorry I had to im glad he’s better now though

[@ladytee7311]

This is not a tragic story, many actors have followed down this same path. This is a story of redemption through Jesus Christ!

[@Cmoney91]

2:17 He was probably living comfortably but I doubt he was a millionaire. But I always thought this show came out in the early 80’s

[@GLITTERandSKULLZ]

Loved that show.

[@JeanetteMartinez-f3m]

So glad he is doing much better 👍🏼

[@lorenzomoore6398]

Sometimes one mans greed can be the downfall and destruction of maney men.

[@langstonanderson6558]

I love this show!!

[@Hermanjr69]

I remember him on the Jefferson's and Lamont played on All in the family

[@LonnellRich]

Lamont created good times with Eric Monte

[@Mr.Majestic77]

Fred "Re-Run" Berry ruined the show do to wanting more money after one season. Ernest Thomas and Jimmie Walker should have co-produced a show right after What's Happening! and Good Times were both canceled, their characters Roger "Raj" Thomas and James "JJ" Evans Jr. reprised their roles in a crossover series, which both Raj and JJ are both excepted to a HBCU, and they become college roommates at that HBCU. Pretty much a prequel to A Different World.

[@derekclark1005]

He still get recognized because there's NO ONE who looks like him.

[@QueenAnitaSoul1]

RIP my dear sweet friend Rerun I miss u my Brotha ❤❤❤❤❤

[@ritagreenlaw8923]

I love his character on the show.

[@Bombbeautyee]

Dang I always wounded what happened to Mr. Omar aka Ernest Thomas Glad he’s doing good and over came his addiction..

[@mellowseller9762]

The devil doesn't come to you for bad choices. That energy is ia part of each of us. Each person decides daily whether to yield a little or a lot

[@danilaroche1156]

The devil will come if you make bad choices so choose Jesus.

[@fflubadubb]

I'm glad he's doing good now ❤

[@marloneli7365]

Its two different shows Whats Happenning!!!!! and then Whats Happenning NOW!!!!!!!!

[@jesuslittlegirl2710]

PRAYER WARRIOR, PRAY 🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️

[@JasonOrtiz-ye1do]

I keep thinking Mr. Thomas would make a great evil mastermind in a Black Panther movie. Like a Mugabe type character. He's got that sort of sinister aura beneath a studious poise.

[@donnawms2194]

My Gary native❤

[@luckyskivvy6077]

💵 There is a huge difference between being a millionaire and owning a million dollars. He could have easily maintained a comfortable lifestyle with financial education, discipline, and moderation.

[@jesuslittlegirl2710]

GOD IS IN CONTROL ALWAYS, AMEN 🙌🙏👩🎶🧎‍♀️😃💯🙆‍♀️😆📖👧😁🤗😊🤲👍🙂👌😀☺️HALLELUJAH GLORY TO GOD ✝️ 🙏 🙌

[@donaldmcgee6334]

The Lord is your antidrug

[@jcjcviews]

Excellent actor. He had the looks of an actor. He had a tall, slender frame, and his fingers were long and expressive. Everything about this guy, physically, made him someone to keep your eye on. Also, he could act. My understanding is that he passed on.