Ja’net DuBois, who played Willona Woods on the classic Norman Lear sitcom “Good Times,” was found dead Tuesday. She was 74.
The actress died “unexpectedly” in her sleep at her home in Glendale, California, reports TMZ. It’s unclear who found DuBois’ body Tuesday morning, according to the report, which claims that she appeared to be in good health in recent weeks.
DuBois was recently seen smiling alongside “Good Times” cast members Ralph Carter, Jimmie Walker, BernNadette Stanis and Johnny Brown for the 2020 Hollywood Show in Burbank on Feb. 1. “Good Times” ran on CBS from 1974 to 1979.
The actress was also known for co-writing and singing “Movin’ On Up,” the theme song for the long-running sitcom “The Jeffersons,” which aired on CBS from 1975 to 1985.
DuBois earned two Emmy Awards for her voiceover work on the Eddie Murphy animated series “The PJs,” which aired on FOX from 1999 to 2001. Her other TV credits include guest-starring roles on episodes of “ER,” “The Love Boat,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “A Different World,” “The Facts of Life,” “Home Improvement,” “Moesha,” “Touched by an Angel” and “Cold Case.”
Her big-screen appearances include “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” in 1988, “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” in 2003 and “Tropic Thunder” in 2008.
Billed as Jeanette DuBois, she also starred on Broadway opposite Sammy Davis Jr. in “Golden Boy” from 1964 to 1966.
TV Land, the nostalgia-fueled network that airs reruns of “Good Times,” tweeted the following tribute to DuBois Tuesday: “TV Land remembers ‘Good Times’ star Ja’net Dubois. In addition to being the Evans family’s lovable neighbor, Willona, Dubois composed and sang ‘Movin’ on Up’ the iconic theme song for ‘The Jeffersons.’ She was 74 and will be missed.”
The actress is survived by three children: Yovanne DuBois, Burghardt DuBois and Rani DuBois, who had roles on “Good Times” and “What’s Happening!!”