9 Celebrities Who Walked Out On Popular Shows To Good And Bad Results For Their Career

Esther Rolle

Though Good Times was a hit with those looking for a different side of the African-American experience to be shown on television, some people weren’t too happy with the direction of the show, including its main two cast members. John Amos (who played James Evans) was fired after season three because of backstage drama with show producer Norman Lear. By season four, Esther Rolle was ready to be done with the show after being openly critical about the show’s reliance on the character of J.J., and how they dumbed him down for the camera. So she left, and when she did, the viewership for the show decreased big time. So producers reached back out to Rolle, and she cleaned the show up with her stipulations to return: Her salary was increased, the scripts were improved, and J.J. was made a more responsible character by the time Rolle returned for the last season.