Ernest Lee Thomas
Ernest Lee Thomas (born March 26, 1949) is an American actor.[1][2][3][4] He is best known for his role as Roger "Raj" Thomas on the 1970s ABC sitcom What's Happening!!,[1] and its 1980s syndicated sequel, What's Happening Now!!, and for his recurring role as Mr. Omar on Everybody Hates Chris.
Ernest Lee Thomas
March 26, 1949
Actor
1974–present
Roles as Roger “Raj” Thomas on What’s Happening!! and What’s Happening Now!!, and Mr. Omar on Everybody Hates Chris
What's Happening Now!! and later career[edit]
After a six-year hiatus from TV and film acting, Ernest resumed his role as Roger "Raj" Thomas in the sequel What's Happening Now!! The show aired in first-run syndication from 1985 to 1988.
Since the show's cancellation Thomas has guest starred on a number of popular TV dramas and sitcoms including In the Heat of the Night (which co-starred his TV wife Anne-Marie Johnson, from What's Happening Now!!), The Parent 'Hood, Martin (which starred his What's Happening Now!! co-star Martin Lawrence), Soul Food, The Steve Harvey Show, All About the Andersons and more recently Just Jordan. He has also appeared in a number of films, including a supporting role in Malcolm X and a cameo in Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. He later had a recurring role as funeral director, Mr. Omar, on the TV sitcom Everybody Hates Chris. He had an uncredited guest spot as Ernest T "Bass" on the TV show Are We There Yet? It was titled, "The Satchel Paige Episode" and had him playing a Flavor Flav type personality.
In 2012, Thomas was cast in rocker/horror movie director Rob Zombie's 2012 film The Lords of Salem.[5] In 2016, he was in a comedic body horror short film called Earworm.[6]
Personal life[edit]
Thomas has stated in multiple interviews to have had a romantic relationship with actress Kim Cattrall during her time as a student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in the 1970s.[7][8]
Thomas has an eye condition called amblyopia.[9]