we lost a star, ja’net dubois of ‘good times’

Ja’Net Dubois was a wonderfully gifted woman. At 74-years-old, she has passed away, leaving the world with a beautiful legacy behind her. The actress, singer-songwriter, and dancer gave us incredible gifts throughout her life. We know her of course, as Willona Woods, neighborhood gossip and friend of the Evans Family on Good Times. 

As if that was not enough to cement her in our hearts forever, Dubois also composed and sang a cultural anthem, “Movin’ On Up”,  the theme song that played for all ten seasons of iconic series The Jeffersons. Aside from also starring onscreen in movies like Diary of a Mad Housewife, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, Basic Instinct, Next Friday, Tropic Thunder and many more, she also has played characters onstage in Broadway productions of A Raisin In The Sun, and Golden Boy. 

Off stage and screen, Dubois co-founded a film festival called the Pan African Film Festival in 1992. The festival’s purpose has been to showcase talent from the African diaspora. 

You will be so greatly missed Ja’Net Dubois.