Ernest Lee Thomas

Ernest Lee Thomas (born March 26, 1949) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Roger "Raj" Thomas on the 1970s ABC sitcom What's Happening!! In 2016, he was in a comedic body horror short film called Earworm.

Personal life Thomas has stated in multiple interviews to have had a romantic relationship with actress Kim Cattrall during her time as a student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in the 1970s.

Thomas has an eye condition called amblyopia. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1977 A Piece of the Action John 1986 That's My Mama Now! Roger 'Rog' Thomas TV movie 1991 Kiss and Be Killed Det. Ross 1992 Malcolm X Sidney 2003 The Watermelon Heist Jailer Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star Ernest Thomas 2007 Paroled Royce Henderson 2009 Funny People Yo Teach Principal 2012 The Lords of Salem Chip McDonald 2013 Ms. 3pm Roger Omar (voice) Short The Pastor and Mrs. Jones Pastor Foreclosed Martin Coughlin Video 2014 The Great Central Valley Taco Tour Roger Omar Short Basketball Girlfriend Lenny Revenge Neville The Slimbones Uncle AB 2015 Mega Shark vs. Kolossus Admiral Titus Jackson Chocolate City Diner Manager The Family Joseph Jesús 2016 Stop Bullying Now: Live from the Big House Himself 79 Parts Priore Earworm Short 2017 The Gods Olympus The Lost Souls Cafe Hobbi TV movie Chocolate City: Vegas Strip Mr. Williams 2018 Two Wolves Olivier 2019 79 Parts: Director's Cut Bank Teller Malcolm Malcolm Head Assistant Short Loved To Death Pastor Pawn Brad Short John Wynn's Mirror Mirror Pastor Ron Johnson 2020 Persuasive Officer Devash Short 2021 John Wynn's Playhouse Ernie Tales of a 5th Grade Robin Hood Principal Richards 2022 Chocolate City 3: Live Tour Mr. Williams John Wynn's One Hour Doctor Thomas 69 Parts Bank

Television Year Title Role Notes 1975 The Jeffersons Ronnie Walker Episode: "George Won't Talk" 1976 Insight Tony Lanier Episode: "Juvie" Baretta Lew Episode: "Under the City" 1976–79 What's Happening!! Roger "Rog" Thomas Main cast 1977 Roots Kailuba Episode: "Part I" The Brady Bunch Variety Hour Raj Episode: "Episode #1.7" 1980 The Righteous Apples Winston Episode: "Point of View" 1985–88 What's Happening Now!! Roger "Raj" Thomas Main cast 1990 In the Heat of the Night Off. Parker Episode: "Brotherly Love: Part 1 & 2" 1996 The Parent 'Hood Waiter Episode: "Clothes Call" Martin Prince Uche Episode: "The Life You Save Might Make You Rich" 1999 Linc's Ernest Thomas Episode: "Real Time" 2000 Soul Food Det. Craig Quinn Episode: "Man Trouble" The Steve Harvey Show Rev. Franklin/Rev. Charles Episode: "Wedlocked" & "Love, Death and Basketball" 2004 All About the Andersons Mr. Johnson Episode: "Get Out of Dodge... Ball" 2005–09 Everybody Hates Chris Mr. Omar Recurring cast 2007 Just Jordan Minister Episode: "Practice What You Preach" 2009 Yo Teach...! Principal Andrews Episode: "EPK" & "MC Shakespeare" 2012 Are We There Yet? Ernest T "Bass" Episode: "The Satchel Paige Episode" 2014 Anonymous Olivier Episode: "Anonymous" 2016 Presence Chuck Panama Episode: "Pilot" In the Cut Landlord Episode: "One Night Only" 2017 Workaholics Albert Episode: "Faux Chella" Veep Omar al-Saleh Episode: "Qatar" 2018 The Chosen Ones Ray Episode: "Pilot" 2024–present Everybody Still Hates Chris Mr. Omar (voice) Recurring cast