<P> Evans is best known for his recurring role as Lionel Jefferson on All in the Family and was the first and final actor to play Lionel on the spin - off The Jeffersons . He played Lionel on The Jeffersons for much of its 11 - year run , with the majority of his appearances occurring from 1979 to 1981 . Actor and opera singer Damon Evans ( no relation to Michael ) played the role from September 1975 to January 1978 on The Jeffersons , as Mike Evans was busy pursuing other aspects of his career . </P>
<P> Evans is best known for his recurring role as Lionel Jefferson on All in the Family and was the first and final actor to play Lionel on the spin - off The Jeffersons . He played Lionel on The Jeffersons for much of its 11 - year run , with the majority of his appearances occurring from 1979 to 1981 . Actor and opera singer Damon Evans ( no relation to Michael ) played the role from September 1975 to January 1978 on The Jeffersons , as Mike Evans was busy pursuing other aspects of his career . </P>
who played the original lionel on the jeffersons
who played the original lionel on the jeffersons
Evans
Evans