# The Truth About Roxie Roker From The Jeffersons: Her Son Confirms The Rumors

Roxie Roker, born on August 28, 1929, in Miami, became an iconic figure in American television, best known for her role as Helen Willis on the CBS sitcom *The Jeffersons*.

As half of one of the first interracial couples on prime-time TV in the 1970s, Roker broke barriers with sass and heart, portraying a character that challenged societal norms.

Beyond *The Jeffersons*, her career spanned impactful roles in *Roots*, guest spots on *Fantasy Island* and *The Love Boat*, and appearances in *Murder She Wrote* and *A Different World*. A graduate of Howard University, Roker honed her craft with The Negro Ensemble Company, earning an Obie Award and a Tony nomination. Her legacy as a trailblazer for African-American actors remains undeniable.

However, the juiciest chapters of Roker’s life unfold in her personal story, particularly her tumultuous 20-year marriage to Sai Kravitz, a former military man turned NBC News producer.

Their romance began as a workplace “meet-cute” at NBC, where Roker worked an office job before fame. They married in 1962, mirroring the groundbreaking interracial dynamic she later portrayed on screen. In 1964, they welcomed their son, Leonard—named after Sai’s brother who died in the Korean War—better known today as rockstar Lenny Kravitz. While their union started with promise, dark undercurrents soon emerged.

Lenny Kravitz, in his memoir *Love Rules*, reveals the painful truth about his father’s infidelity. He recounts overhearing Sai on the phone, sweet-talking a mistress and discussing hiding $50,000 from Roker, who was the primary breadwinner through her acting career while Sai’s ventures floundered.

Enraged, Lenny flew to the Bahamas to inform his mother, only to learn she already knew of Sai’s serial cheating. Roker had confronted mistresses, even showing up at their doors with baby Lenny in tow, begging Sai to return home. This final betrayal, coupled with financial deceit, was the breaking point.

The marriage’s collapse culminated in a heart-wrenching confrontation in 1985, when Roker filed for divorce. During a sit-down with Lenny and Sai, Roker asked her husband if he had anything to say to their son.

Sai’s chilling response—“You’ll do it too”—before walking out, left a lasting scar on Lenny, who describes himself as a “mama’s boy” fiercely protective of Roker. Sai’s past as a neglectful father to two daughters from a previous marriage further painted him as irresponsible and selfish.

Despite the heartbreak, Roker refused to wallow. She continued her stellar career and dedicated herself to community service in Los Angeles, working with organizations like the Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect.

Tragically, she passed away in 1995 at 66 after battling breast cancer. Roxie Roker’s life, marked by professional triumph and personal resilience, remains a testament to her strength, leaving a legacy that outshines the shadows of her past.