'Jeffersons' actor Mike Evans dead at 57

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Actor Mike Evans, who played the affable Lionel on "The Jeffersons," has died at the age of 57 after a long battle with throat cancer in Los Angeles.

Evans was best known for his role as Lionel Jefferson on "All In The Family" and in the first three seasons of "The Jeffersons," Eurweb reported Friday.

Evans also co-created the hugely successful 1970's sitcom "Good Times" with Eric Monte, as well as appeared in the TV shows "Rich Man, Poor Man," "Match Game" and "The Richard Pryor Special."

He appeared on the big screen in "The Voyage of the Yes," and "Walker, Texas Ranger."

Monte said of Evans: "I am deeply and profoundly indebted to Mike. He changed my life forever and inadvertently changed television. There would be no, 'Sanford and Sons, 'Good Times,' 'The Jeffersons,' 'What's Happening,' 'The Cosby Show,' or 'Cooley High,' if it had not been for him. More importantly, he was a good friend. I will miss him."

His daughter Tammy, his mother, Annie Sue, his brother Thomas, cousin Harold, and his niece, Chrystal all survive him.