J.J. Evans

J.J. Evans
File:Good Times - Jimmie Walker (J.J. Evans).jpg
First appearance	Getting Up The Rent
Last appearance	The End of the Rainbow
Created by	Norman Lear
Portrayed by	Jimmie Walker
In-universe information
Alias	James Evans Jr.
Nickname	J.J.
Species	Human
Occupation	Painter; Comic Book Artist
Family	Florida Evans (mother) James Evans Sr. (father) Michael Evans (younger brother) Thelma Evans (sister) Keith Anderson (brother-in-law)
Nationality	African-American

James Evans, Jr. (August 24 1956) is an American breakout character on the 1970s sitcom, Good Times, he was created by Norman Lear and portrayed by Jimmie Walker. The character was known as simply "J.J.".

Character Background

James Evans, Jr. was born in 1956 in Chicago, Illinois to Florida and James Evans, Sr. (in real-life, Walker was actually born nine years earlier). Although most often called J.J., he was called simply "Junior" by his father and James Junior in the first episode by his mother. Easily identifiable because of his thin structure and jive talking personality, J.J. was a notorious ladies man, or at least he liked to give the impression that he was one. His girlfriends to whom he gave nicknames included Henrietta, Boom-Boom Belinda, Samantha the Panther, Diana (who was a heroin addict), and other girls who made brief appearances.

He grew up in an impoverished section of Chicago, in a cold water flat. His mother, Florida, worked as a maid while J.J.'s father James worked at various jobs. His sister Thelma was born June 18, 1957, a year after J.J. They still lived in the same apartment.

After J.J.'s younger brother Michael was born, his family finally moved out of the water flat and into a housing project development, thanks in part to James's friendship with Alderman Fred C. Davis. It was in a poor African-American section where unemployment was at its highest. James Sr. worked at several jobs to keep his family in a home he could afford.

The series drew some criticism for J.J.'s frequent remark, "I never steal anything. I just find things!". However, this larcenous aspect of his personality receded as the series progressed. As J.J. grew, he found an interest in painting. He was very good at it and carried it on throughout his developing life. He painted a number of paintings and sold them as well. He had a number of patrons to help him out. His painting focused on capturing the look and feel of ghetto life. The actual paintings in the series were painted for the show by renowned artist and former AFL football player Ernie Barnes.

J.J. was often known for his running battle with his sister Thelma. He often made disparaging remarks about her cooking talents or lack thereof. Despite this, he did love his sister. He also tried to look after his brother Michael, but level-headed Michael was more wise to him than J.J. understood.

After His Father's passing

After James, Sr.'s death, J.J. became the man of the house. Although how he handled things was questionable, he really meant well. He was also instrumental in meeting Penny Gordon who was subsequently adopted by their neighbor, Willona Woods after Penny's mother abandoned her.

He also had a running battle, as did the rest of his family, with the dim-witted and unpleasant building superintendent, Nathan Bookman, whom he called "Buffalo Butt".

J.J.'s three best friends were Poppo, Cool Breeze, and Head. Collectively, the quartet referred to themselves as "The Awesome Foursome". In a later episode, J.J., Poppo, and Head became "The Gleesome Threesome", with no reference to Cool Breeze.

At the end of the series, he became a comic book artist with an ongoing series thus ensuring he would gainfully employed with his art for the foreseeable future.

Comedian Dave Chappelle often made reference to J.J. Walker on his self titled comedy show. Chappelle reacted to his own physical resemblance to Walker, and would often use the catch phrase "Dyn-o-mite" or comment on being mistaken for Walker.