Ja’Net DuBois, Willona from ‘Good Times,’ has Died at Age 74

Ja’net Dubois (née Jeannette DuBois), best know for her role as Willona Woods, has unexpectedly died at age 74.

What We Know:

• The family of DuBois reported that she was found dead in her sleep at her Glendale, CA home.  No known health complications or ailments are known at this time.
• DuBois was featured as Willona Woods on Good Times as well as Mrs. Avery on the animated series The PJs.  She was the recipient of 2 Emmy awards for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for The PJs, winner of TV Land’s Impact Award for Good Times, and nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Touched by an Angel.
• DuBois, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, began her career on Broadway appearing in plays including “Golden Boy” with Sammy Davis Jr. and Louis Gossett Jr., and “A Raisin in the Sun.”  She was the first African American actress to have a regular serial role in a daytime serial, Love of Life.
• In 1992, DuBois, along with actor Danny Glover, founded the The Pan African Film Festival which has the goal of “showcas[ing] the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help destroy negative stereotypes.”

We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

Our thoughts and prayers are with DuBois’ children and family for their loss.  May DuBois rest In peace.