Ernest Lee Thomas - Actor Profile

Ernest Lee Thomas

Acting
Freshness: Jan 23, 2026
21Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Mar 26, 1950
Birth Place: Gary, Indiana, USA

About Ernest Lee Thomas

Ernest Lee Thomas (born March 26, 1949) is an American actor. He was born in Gary, Indiana. He is most famous for his role as aspiring writer Roger "Raj" Thomas on the 1970s ABC sitcom What's Happening!!, and its 1980s syndicated sequel, What's Happening Now!! Description above from the Wikipedia article Ernest Lee Thomas, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Ernest Lee Thomas reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 21 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Ernest Lee Thomas's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 14% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Ernest Lee Thomas remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Gods, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Ernest Lee Thomas Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Ernest Lee Thomas's career based on audience ratings.

★10.0
The Gods (2015) movie poster
★10.0

The Gods: "The Gods" is a modern day 'Romeo and Juliet', where Mikey James, a street hustler raised on the streets with his two br

The Gods

2015•Drama
★10.0
Basketball Girlfriends (2014) movie poster
★10.0

Basketball Girlfriends: Tyron is one of the top college basketball stars in the country and is expected to be a top NBA draft pick, but as the p

Basketball Girlfriends

2014•Drama
★7.5
Malcolm X (1992) movie poster
★7.5

Malcolm X: A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his

Malcolm X

1992•Drama
★5.9
Funny People (2009) movie poster
★5.9

Funny People: Famous and wealthy funnyman George Simmons doesn't give much thought to how he treats people until a doctor delivers stu

Funny People

2009•Comedy
★5.8
Chocolate City: Vegas Strip (2016) movie poster
★5.8

Chocolate City: Vegas Strip: The Chocolate City dancers come together to save their club from foreclosure. They decide to enter a national stripper c

Chocolate City: Vegas Strip

2016•Drama

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Ernest Lee Thomas.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2024 Youn'G OG Flop Similar →
2022 Chocolate City 3: Live Tour - Average Similar →
2022 John Wynn's One Hour Dr. Thomas Flop Similar →
2022 69 Parts Bank Teller Flop Similar →
2021 John Wynn's Playhouse - Flop Similar →
2019 Loved To Death Pastor Flop Similar →
2016 Chocolate City: Vegas Strip Mr. Williams Average Similar →
2016 Earworm - Flop Similar →
2016 79 Parts Bank Teller Flop Similar →
2015 Mega Shark vs. Kolossus Admiral Titus Perry Jackson Flop Similar →
2015 Chocolate City Diner Manager Flop Similar →
2015 The Gods Olympus Super Hit Similar →
2014 Basketball Girlfriends Lenny Super Hit Similar →
2013 The Lords of Salem Chip McDonald (uncredited) Average Similar →
2013 The Pastor and Mrs. Jones - Flop Similar →
2009 Funny People Yo Teach Principal Average Similar →
2007 Paroled Royce Henderson Flop Similar →
2003 Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star Self Flop Similar →
1992 Malcolm X Sidney Super Hit Similar →
1991 Kiss and Be Killed Det. Ross Flop Similar →
1977 A Piece of the Action John Average Similar →

Ernest Lee Thomas - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Ernest Lee Thomas?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ernest Lee Thomas is "The Gods" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Ernest Lee Thomas acted in?

Ernest Lee Thomas has been featured in at least 21 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Ernest Lee Thomas?

Other notable films include "Basketball Girlfriends", "Malcolm X", and "Funny People".