How Stars Reacted To The Death Of Ja'Net DuBois
Beloved actress Ja'Net DuBois, who rose to fame playing Willona Woods on the sitcom Good Times, has passed away at the age of 74.
According to TMZ, the two-time Emmy winner died peacefully in her sleep in her Glendale, Calif. home on Feb.17, 2020. CNN reports that DuBois' youngest daughter, Kesha Fields, said that her mother's death was "unexpected as she had no underlying health issues." Just weeks before her death, the actress appeared to be in good health and good spirits at an event in Hollywood (via the Daily Mail).
While DuBois is best-known for her time on Good Times, the actress also had a pretty important hand in another classic sitcom — The Jeffersons. DuBois co-wrote and sang the show's theme song, "Movin' On Up," which is widely considered as one of the best TV theme songs of all time.
In the days following her death, celebrities, loved ones and fans have shared touching tributes to DuBois via social media. Through the tributes, it's quite clear that the actress left behind a legacy that won't soon be forgotten.
Janet Jackson shared touching words about her television mom
When news broke of Ja'Net DuBois' death, her former Good Times co-star, Janet Jackson, was among the first to mourn the actress on social media. Jackson, who played DuBois' foster daughter on the 1970s sitcom, took to Instagram to post a series of photos of the two over the years, writing, "I am so very saddened to hear my longtime friend Ja'Net DuBois has passed away,"Jackson began.
She added, "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."
Although Good Times wrapped in 1979, that wasn't the last time that DuBois and Jackson worked together. In 1986, DuBois popped up in the pop star's Control music video as Jackson's mother — a cameo that was undoubtedly a nod to their Good Times roles.
Jackson wasn't the only cast member who formed a strong bond with DuBois. Several of her other Good Times co-stars also took to social media to share how the actress had positively impacted their lives with her radiant spirit and undeniable talent.
Other 'Good Times' cast and crew members also paid tribute to Ja'Net DuBois
Following Ja'Net DuBois' death, her Good Times co-star BernNadette Stanis, who played Thelma Evans on the sitcom, took to Instagram to remember the actress. "Rest In Peace Ja'Net DuBois. We had so many wonderful memories on Good Times," Stanis said in the video. "She used to keep us laughing all the time. She was very, very talented. If she wasn't singing ... she was creating a character to make us laugh."
The executive producer of the sitcom, Norman Lear, also shared a few words on social media, writing, "Ja'Net DuBois was all light and will be missed. I love that she wrote the theme song for her passing, 'Movin' on Up."
Although she was not a part of the original show, Viola Davis, who appeared on the Good Times remake during ABC's December 2019 special, "Live in Front of a Studio Audience," also paid tribute to the iconic actress. "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.
While the cast and crew members who had the opportunity to interact with DuBois on the set of Good Times had nothing but kind words, celebrities who worked with the actress in other capacities — and some who had never worked with her at all — also felt compelled to share how she had touched their lives.
Ja'Net DuBois inspired countless celebrities over the course of her career
Over the course of her decades-spanning career, Ja'Net DuBois took on countless roles and touched countless hearts.
Actress Holly Robinson Peete took to Twitter to share an emotional tribute, writing, "Devastated to hear of the sudden passing of the iconic Ja'Net Dubois. We all cherished her as the beloved Willona on #GoodTimes. Got to work with her on Hangin With Mr. Cooper. I followed her around like a puppy dog. She shared so much wisdom. I loved and will miss her dearly."
TV host Tamron Hall also celebrated the life of the actress via Twitter, tweeting, "The original fly Auntie. Rip #janetdubois you left us with an iconic character. Style and Grace."
The Real's Loni Love was another celeb who took to the social media platform to mourn the star, writing, "What a joy to have met Ja'Net Dubois, who became famous playing the role of Willona Woods on the hit 70s sitcom Good Times ...Thank you for keeping this latch key kid entertained.. condolences to her children #rip."
Our thoughts are with Dubois' loved ones during this difficult time.