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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
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | 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
|
|-
|rowspan=2| 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
|
|-
|rowspan=3| 2013
| Ms. 3pm
| Roger Omar (voice)
| Short
|-
| The Pastor and Mrs. Jones
| Pastor
|
|-
| Foreclosed
| Martin Coughlin
| Video
|-
|rowspan=4| 2014
| The Great Central Valley Taco Tour
| Roger Omar
| Short
|-
| Basketball Girlfriend
| Lenny
|
|-
| Revenge
| Neville
|
|-
| The Slimbones
| Uncle AB
|
|-
|rowspan=3| 2015
| Mega Shark vs. Kolossus
| Admiral Titus Jackson
|
|-
| Chocolate City
| Diner Manager
|
|-
| The Family
| Joseph Jesús
|
|-
|rowspan=3| 2016
| Stop Bullying Now: Live from the Big House
| Himself
|
|-
| 79 Parts
| Priore
|
|-
| Earworm
|
| Short
|-
|rowspan=3| 2017
| The Gods
| Olympus
|
|-
| The Lost Souls Cafe
| Hobbi
| TV movie
|-
| Chocolate City: Vegas Strip
| Mr. Williams
|
|-
| 2018
| Two Wolves
| Olivier
|
|-
|rowspan=5| 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
|-
|rowspan=2| 2021
| John Wynn's Playhouse
| Ernie
|
|-
| Tales of a 5th Grade Robin Hood
| Principal Richards
|
|-
|rowspan=3| 2022
| Chocolate City 3: Live Tour
| Mr. Williams
|
|-
| John Wynn's One Hour
| Doctor Thomas
|
|-
| 69 Parts
| Bank
|
|}
Television
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class = "unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1975
| The Jeffersons
| Ronnie Walker
| Episode: "George Won't Talk"
|-
|rowspan=2| 1976
| Insight
| Tony Lanier
| Episode: "Juvie"
|-
| Baretta
| Lew
| Episode: "Under the City"
|-
| 1976–79
| What's Happening!!
| Roger "Rog" Thomas
| Main cast
|-
|rowspan=2| 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"
|-
|rowspan=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"
|-
|rowspan=2| 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"
|-
|rowspan=2| 2016
| Presence
| Chuck Panama
| Episode: "Pilot"
|-
| In the Cut
| Landlord
| Episode: "One Night Only"
|-
|rowspan=2| 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
|}