# Why the *Good Times* Cast Refused to Reunite at Esther Rolle’s Funeral

When Esther Rolle, the beloved matriarch Florida Evans from *Good Times*, passed away on November 17, 1998, at 78 from diabetes complications, fans anticipated a heartfelt reunion of the iconic cast at her funeral in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Held at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the simple, solemn ceremony reflected Rolle’s unassuming nature. Yet, the absence of key cast members turned the event into a poignant reflection of unresolved tensions, creative conflicts, and personal distances that had lingered for decades behind the scenes of the groundbreaking sitcom.

Esther Rolle was the soul of *Good Times*, which aired from 1974 to 1979 on CBS, portraying a poor Black family in a Chicago housing project with raw honesty. As Florida, Rolle embodied strength and dignity, becoming a cultural icon for millions, especially African Americans who rarely saw their lives on screen.

Off-screen, she was a principled artist, born in 1920 in Florida to Bahamian immigrants, who fought for authentic representation, even leaving the show after its fourth season over script concerns before returning for the final one. Her commitment to integrity often put her at odds with producers and some co-stars.

The most notable absence at her funeral was Jimmie Walker, who played J.J., the comedic heart of the show with his catchphrase “Dy-no-mite!” Rolle and John Amos (James Evans) had long criticized the exaggeration of J.J.’s character into a caricature, fearing it undermined the show’s family values.

Walker later admitted to minimal off-screen interaction with Rolle and Amos during filming, a rift born from creative differences rather than personal hatred. His absence became a focal point of public disappointment, symbolizing the fractured dynamics of the Evans family in real life.

John Amos, Rolle’s on-screen husband and ally in advocating for realistic portrayals, likely attended, given their mutual respect, though his early exit from the show after season three due to disputes with writers hinted at shared struggles.

BernNadette Stanis (Thelma) and Ralph Carter (Michael), the younger cast members, viewed Rolle as a mentor and second mother, maintaining harmonious ties; there’s no evidence they missed the funeral. Ja’Net DuBois (Willona Woods) and Johnny Brown (Bookman) also shared professional respect with Rolle, with no confirmed absences. Janet Jackson (Penny), a later addition, sent condolences despite her superstar schedule likely preventing attendance.

These absences, particularly Walker’s, weren’t a full boycott as rumors suggested, but they exposed the complex reality behind *Good Times*. On-screen unity masked off-screen tensions, reflecting the pressures of success and artistic integrity in a prejudiced industry.

Rolle’s funeral, meant to be a farewell to a cultural mother, instead highlighted that the Evans family existed fully only in fiction. Her legacy endures not just in *Good Times*, but as a testament to an artist who prioritized truth over ease, even if it meant standing apart from her on-screen family in life and death.