Ernest Lee Thomas

About

Ernest Lee Thomas (born March 26, 1949) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Roger “Raj” Thomas on the 1970s ABC sitcom What’s Happening!! and its 1980s syndicated sequel, What’s Happening Now!!, and for his recurring role as Mr. Omar on Everybody Hates Chris.

Thomas was born in Gary, Indiana, and began his professional acting career as a Broadway actor, appearing in the 1974 revival production of Love for Love and in the 1975 revival of The Member of the Wedding. Both shows starred actress Glenn Close. Shortly after he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a TV/film actor. In the fall of 1975 he received a role on an episode of The Jeffersons. It was during the taping of the show that he learned of an audition for a sitcom loosely based on the 1975 film Cooley High. Thomas auditioned, won the lead role, and filmed the television pilot, which tested poorly. The concept was quickly reworked into a more light-hearted approach to the source material, and became known as Central Avenue, before settling on the title What’s Happening!!. Thomas was the only cast member retained from the pilot, and took the lead role of Roger…