Bern Nadette Stanis
Encyclopedia
Bern Nadette Stanis is an American
actress best known for her role as the strong-willed Thelma Evans
on the CBS
sitcom
, Good Times
.
and What's Happening Now!!
. She and former co-star Jimmie Walker
lent their voices to a radio spot for AT&T
. Stanis was most recently seen in a Nationwide Insurance commercial.
Stanis has been featured in several promotions for the TV One network. She appeared in a "Thelma" promotion that aired on September 19, 2009 alongside actress Anna Maria Horsford
in the "Battle of the Thelmas" that specifically aired their weddings from their prospective TV series (Horsford portrayed "Thelma Frye" in the TV series Amen
). During the "Way Black Then" promotions in February 2010 (in honor of Black History Month
), both she and Walker appeared on a 30 minute program titled "Color TV" to share their memories and thoughts on "Good Times."
In April 2010, Stanis starred in Marlon Campbell's Momma and Me situation comedy, which is now being shopped to cable and broadcast television networks.
One of Stanis' most recent television appearances was on the UPN sitcom Girlfriends
, where she played the cousin of Maya Wilkes. In the episode, William Dent (Reggie Hayes) expresses a strong desire to meet Thelma from Good Times. Maya reveals that Stanis is her cousin and agrees to arrange a date.
. She graduated from the Juilliard School
. She presently lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband Kevin Fontana, whom she married in 1981. They have two daughters, Dior and Brittany.
She is the author of two books, Situations 101: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly and a collection of her poetry entitled, For Men Only.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress best known for her role as the strong-willed Thelma Evans
Thelma Evans
Thelma Evans Anderson is a supporting character of the 1970s family sitcom Good Times. She was portrayed by Bern Nadette Stanis. She was the middle child of the Evans family....
on the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
sitcom
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
, Good Times
Good Times
Good Times is an American sitcom that originally aired from February 8, 1974, until August 1, 1979, on the CBS television network. It was created by Eric Monte and Michael Evans, and developed by Norman Lear, the series' primary executive producer...
.
Career
Stanis played the role of middle child Thelma Evans on Good Times from 1974 to 1979. After Good Times ended, she made appearances on several television shows, including The Cosby ShowThe Cosby Show
The Cosby Show is an American television situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, which aired for eight seasons on NBC from September 20, 1984 until April 30, 1992...
and What's Happening Now!!
What's Happening Now!!
What's Happening Now!! is an American television sitcom spinoff of What's Happening!!. It ran in syndication from 1985 to 1988. Like the previous series, What's Happening Now!! is loosely based on the motion picture Cooley High...
. She and former co-star Jimmie Walker
Jimmie Walker
James Carter "Jimmie" Walker is an American actor and stand-up comedian, known for portraying J. J. Evans on the television series Good Times, which ran from 1974 to 1979...
lent their voices to a radio spot for AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
. Stanis was most recently seen in a Nationwide Insurance commercial.
Stanis has been featured in several promotions for the TV One network. She appeared in a "Thelma" promotion that aired on September 19, 2009 alongside actress Anna Maria Horsford
Anna Maria Horsford
Anna Maria Horsford is an American television and film actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Thelma Frye on the sitcom Amen, her role as Craig Jones' mother, Betty Jones, in the 1995 comedy, Friday and the 2002 comedy Friday After Next and as security guard Dee on The Wayans Bros.,...
in the "Battle of the Thelmas" that specifically aired their weddings from their prospective TV series (Horsford portrayed "Thelma Frye" in the TV series Amen
Amen
The word amen is a declaration of affirmation found in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament. Its use in Judaism dates back to its earliest texts. It has been generally adopted in Christian worship as a concluding word for prayers and hymns. In Islam, it is the standard ending to Dua and the...
). During the "Way Black Then" promotions in February 2010 (in honor of Black History Month
Black History Month
Black History Month is an observance of the history of the African diaspora in a number of countries outside of Africa. Since 1976, it is observed annually in the United States and Canada in February, while in the United Kingdom it is observed in October...
), both she and Walker appeared on a 30 minute program titled "Color TV" to share their memories and thoughts on "Good Times."
In April 2010, Stanis starred in Marlon Campbell's Momma and Me situation comedy, which is now being shopped to cable and broadcast television networks.
One of Stanis' most recent television appearances was on the UPN sitcom Girlfriends
Girlfriends
Girlfriends is an American comedy-drama sitcom that premiered on September 11, 2000, on UPN and aired on UPN's successor network, The CW, before being cancelled in 2008...
, where she played the cousin of Maya Wilkes. In the episode, William Dent (Reggie Hayes) expresses a strong desire to meet Thelma from Good Times. Maya reveals that Stanis is her cousin and agrees to arrange a date.
Personal life
Stanis was born in Brooklyn, New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. She graduated from the Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
. She presently lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband Kevin Fontana, whom she married in 1981. They have two daughters, Dior and Brittany.
She is the author of two books, Situations 101: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly and a collection of her poetry entitled, For Men Only.
Filmography
Between Love and a Hard Place (2012)as Beverly Gray- N-Secure (2010)
- In the Midnight Hours (2009) as Cheryl
- The Adventures of Umbweki (2009) (post-production) as Usahnisa
- CAUTION! Heartache Ahead (2009) as Vera
- The Engagement: My Phamily BBQ 2 (2006) as Mrs. Clark
- Still 'Bout It (2004) (V) as Aunt Tee Dee
- Land of the Free?Land of the Free?Land of the Free? is the sixth album by Pennywise. Produced by Joe Barresi, the album was released on June 19, 2001. After the commercial success of their previous album, Straight Ahead, Pennywise entered the studio in early 2001 to record a follow-up...
(2004) as Psychiatrist - GirlfriendsGirlfriendsGirlfriends is an American comedy-drama sitcom that premiered on September 11, 2000, on UPN and aired on UPN's successor network, The CW, before being cancelled in 2008...
as Herself (1 episode, 2003) - Hidden Blessings (2000) (TV) as Jackson's lawyer
- The Parent 'HoodThe Parent 'HoodThe Parent 'Hood is an American sitcom that aired on The WB airing from January 18, 1995 to July 25, 1999. The series starred Robert Townsend and Suzzanne Douglas....
as L'Tonya, T.K.'s Mother (1 episode, 1999) - The Wayans Bros.The Wayans Bros.The Wayans Bros. is a situation comedy that aired from 1995 to 1999 on The WB. The series starred real-life brothers Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans. Both brothers were already well-known from the sketch comedy show In Living Color...
as Thelma (1 episode, 1997) - The Good NewsThe Good NewsThe Good News is a free religious magazine published bimonthly by the United Church of God. Subscriptions are provided by the voluntary contributions of members of the United Church of God, coworkers and donors. The magazine also has a weekly television program, "Beyond Today," hosted by Darris...
(1 episode, 1997) - The Cosby ShowThe Cosby ShowThe Cosby Show is an American television situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, which aired for eight seasons on NBC from September 20, 1984 until April 30, 1992...
as Carolyn Thompson (1 episode, 1991) - What's Happening Now!!What's Happening Now!!What's Happening Now!! is an American television sitcom spinoff of What's Happening!!. It ran in syndication from 1985 to 1988. Like the previous series, What's Happening Now!! is loosely based on the motion picture Cooley High...
as Marcie (1 episode, 1985) - The Love BoatThe Love BoatThe Love Boat is an American television series set on a cruise ship, which aired on the ABC Television Network from September 24,1977, until May 24,1986.The show starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain...
as Jane Reeves (1 episode, 1980) - Good TimesGood TimesGood Times is an American sitcom that originally aired from February 8, 1974, until August 1, 1979, on the CBS television network. It was created by Eric Monte and Michael Evans, and developed by Norman Lear, the series' primary executive producer...
as Thelma Evans (132 episodes, 1974–1979)