By TARYN RYDER—
Actress Ja’net DuBois, best known for her role on Good Times, has passed away. DuBois played the Evans family’s lovable neighbor, Willona Woods, on the CBS sitcom in its six-season run from 1974 to 1979. Dubois is also known for singing the iconic theme song “Movin’ on Up” from The Jeffersons. She was 74.
The DuBois family tells TMZ she died unexpectedly in her sleep overnight at her home in Glendale, Calif. and was discovered Tuesday. DuBois was believed to be in good health and she hadn’t complained of any specific ailments. Her last public appearance was on Feb. 1, 2020 at an autograph signing in Hollywood with her Good Times co-stars Ralph Carter, Jimmie Walker, BernNadette Stanis and Johnny Brown.
DuBois began her acting career on Broadway, performing in productions such as Golden Boy and A Raisin in the Sun. She appeared in films such as I’m Gonna Git You Sucka and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, as well as dozens of TV shows, including The Wayans Bros., Home Improvement and Everybody Loves Raymond.
The actress also lent her voice to animated shows As Told by Ginger and The PJs, the latter of which earned her two Emmys for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance. Her last credited acting role came in 2016’s She’s Got a Plan. DuBois also appeared in December’s Live in Front of a Studio Audience: ‘All in the Family’ and ‘Good Times’ as herself. DuBois was a talented singer and songwriter, as she also composed “Movin’ on Up.”
DuBois is survived by her three children.
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