Thelma Evans

Infobox character
name = Thelma Evans Anderson
born = June 18, 1957 [See J.J. Evans for the date and birth]
age = 16 (series premiere)
22 (series ending)
spouse = Keith Anderson (1978-present)
nationality = African-American
residence = Cabini-Green Housing projects, Chicago, Illinois
portrayer = Bern Nadette Stanis
family = Florida Evans (mother)
James Evans Sr. (father, deceased)
Michael Evans (younger brother)
J.J. Evans (older brother)
Henry Evans (grandfather)
Wilbur Wilson (uncle)
Edgar (cousin)
Cleatus (cousin)
first = Getting Up the Rent
last = The End of the rainbow
gender = Female
species = Human

Thelma Evans Anderson (June 18, 1957 [J.J. Evans mentioned Thelma's birth in the few final episodes of the series] ) is a supporting character of the 1970s family sitcom Good Times. She was portrayed by Bern Nadette Stanis. She was the middle child of the Evans family.

Thelma was born on June 18 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, to Florida and James Evans. She was born in a poverty section of Chicago in a cold water flat. She had an older brother named J. J. Evans. She and her family lived in the cold water flat until her younger brother Michael Evans was born.

As Thelma grew older, she was into acting and dancing. Her mother and father signed up for her to be in various schools to learn how become better. She also had various boyfriends like her boyfriend Larry (who was actually mentioned frequently in early episodes). She was also given a chance to marry some of her boyfriends, but her parents disapproved when she was given a chance to be married to a 42 year old (portrayed by Louis Gossett, Jr.)

Thelma and J.J. usually bickered about her cooking skills (or more accurately, lack thereof). However, eventually she became better.

In the fourth season of the show, Thelma was college bound, but didn't live on campus. She still stayed with her family. By the beginning of the sixth season, Thelma had graduated. She also married a young man named Keith Anderson, a college athlete who had a bright future. But at their wedding, Keith tripped over J.J. who was taking pictures, and hurt his knee. This event led to Keith developing a drinking problem and eventually getting a job as a taxi driver.

At the end of Season 6, Thelma and Keith were moving into a new apartment near Lake Michigan after Keith had finally got his contract to play football for the Chicago Bears. She then allowed her mother to live along with her because of her pregnancy. In real life Bern Nadette was actually 21-Years Old when the show premiered during 1973-74 season, and 27-Years old when the show ended in the 1978-79 season.

References