Ernest Lee Thomas

Ernest Lee Thomas
Ernest Thomas, 2008
Born	Ernest Lee Thomas (1949-03-26) March 26, 1949 (age 67) Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1974–present

Ernest Lee Thomas (born March 26, 1949) is an American actor. He was born in Gary, Indiana. He is best known for his role as Roger "Raj" Thomas on the 1970s ABC sitcom What's Happening!!, and its 1980s syndicated sequel, What's Happening Now!!, and for his recurring role as Mr. Omar on Everybody Hates Chris.

Thomas began his professional acting career as a Broadway actor, appearing in the 1974 revival production of Love for Love and in the 1975 revival of The Member of the Wedding. Both shows starred actress Glenn Close. Shortly after he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a TV/film actor. In the fall of 1975 he received a role on an episode of The Jeffersons. It was during the taping of the show that he learned of an audition for the upcoming comedy sitcom What's Happening!!, loosely based on the 1975 film Cooley High. He eventually went on to win the role of Roger "Raj" Thomas on the show, which aired from 1976 to 1979.

During the show's run, Thomas was involved in other acting film and TV projects including Baretta, Roots, The Brady Bunch Hour and the film A Piece of the Action starring Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby. Though the series rated well, What's Happening!! was cancelled after its third season in the early spring of 1979.

After a six-year hiatus from TV and film acting, Ernest resumed his role as Roger "Raj" Thomas in the sequel What's Happening Now!!. The show aired from 1985 to 1988.