Ja’Net DuBois, who played Wilona Woods on the 1970s sitcom, sadly passed away at her home in Glendale, California on Tuesday at the age of 74.
Her former colleagues say they remember her for bringing “light” anytime she was on the set of “Good Times.”
The “Good Times” family including Janet Jackson who played her adopted daughter “Penny Woods”, shared moving tributes as the news of the actress and singer’s death broke.
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“I am so very saddened to hear my longtime friend Ja’Net DuBois has passed away,” Jackson began. “I saw first hand how she broke stereotypes and changed the landscape for Black women in entertainment. I’m grateful in recent years I had a chance to see her and create more lasting memories.”
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Norman Lear, who executive produced “Good Times,” mentioned that DuBois co-wrote and sang the iconic theme song for “The Jeffersons.”
“Ja’Net DuBois was all light and will be missed. I love that she wrote the theme song for her passing, ‘Movin’ on Up,’” Lear posted on Instagram.
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BernNadette Stanis, who played “Thelma Evans” on the series, posted a video tribute on Instagram to honor her co-star.
“Rest In Peace Ja’Net DuBois. We had so many wonderful memories on Good Times,” Stanis said in the video.
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Viola Davis, who appeared in the “Good Times” reboot as part of ABC’s December special, “Live in Front of a Studio Audience,” also paid tribute to DuBois with a photo of them together on set.
“Oh man!!! Just saw you! What a pleasure it was to meet you. You shaped so much of the best memories of my childhood! God bless you, Ja’net DuBois! RIP,” Davis wrote on Twitter.
Oh man!!! Just saw you! What a pleasure it was to meet you. You shaped so much of the best memories of my childhood! God bless you, Ja’net DuBois! RIP? pic.twitter.com/tiEGNn9dVO
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) February 19, 2020
DuBois helped found The Pan African Film Festival, which is currently ongoing this week in Los Angeles.
“The PAFF family is heartbroken at the passing of our festival co-founder, award-winning actress, singer and dancer Ja’net DuBois,” the festival said in a statement. “Our hearts are with her loved ones and fans all over the world.”
