---
name: "Ernest Lee Thomas"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/ernest-lee-thomas"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "26 March 1950"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 2
average_fi1m_score: 81
updated: "2026-09-16T21:21:01.302215+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Ernest Lee Thomas

Actor. Born 26 March 1950 in Gary, Indiana, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 26 March 1950, Gary, Indiana, USA
- **Active:** 1977–1992

## Biography

Ernest Lee Thomas is an American actor. He is best known for playing Roger "Raj" Thomas on the sitcom *What's Happening!!* (1976–1979) and its sequel series *What's Happening Now!!* (1985–1988), and for his recurring role as Mr. Omar on *Everybody Hates Chris* (2005–2009).

Thomas began his career in theatre, appearing in Broadway revivals of *Love for Love* (1974) and *The Member of the Wedding* (1975). He trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. He appeared in guest roles on series including *The Jeffersons* (1975) and in the miniseries *Roots* (1977) as Kailuba.

His film credits include a supporting role as Sidney in *Malcolm X* (1992), as well as parts in *A Piece of the Action* (1977), *Funny People* (2009) and *The Lords of Salem* (2013).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, catalog.afi.com.*

## On Fi1m (2)

- *Malcolm X* (1992), Fi1m 79, as Sidney — [page](https://film.one/film/malcolm-x.md)
- *Roots* (1977), Fi1m 83, as Kailuba — [page](https://film.one/tv/roots.md)

## Also known for

- *Funny People* (2009), Yo Teach Principal
- *Everybody Hates Chris* (2005), Mr. Omar
- *The Lords of Salem* (2013), Chip McDonald (uncredited)
- *Workaholics* (2011), Albert
- *Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star* (2003), Self
- *The Jeffersons* (1975)
- *Mega Shark vs. Kolossus* (2015), Admiral Titus Perry Jackson
- *The Upshaws* (2021), Pastor Townsend

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/ernest-lee-thomas