Ben powers good times actor
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No cause of death was revealed.
The actor joined the cast of Good Times for its sixth and final 1978-79 season, playing Keith, a professional football player.
He sang in the choir and was cantor at the First Tabernacle Pentecostal church, according to his family. “Above all, he was a really nice guy. His character and Thelma are wed on the third episode that year, but he injures his leg while walking out of the church, straining their relationship.
“I really liked him, he was so professional, so talented,” Stanis told The Hollywood Reporter.
“Later, he said, ‘Did you really have to do it so hard?!’ ”
Stanis, a spokeswoman for the Alzheimer’s Association who has written a book, The Last Night: A Caregiver’s Journey, that comes out in July, said she lost touch with Powers in the early 1990s.
After Good Times, Powers had a regular role as “Moochie” on the CBS detective drama show, Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer, from 1984-85.
Powers was seen in a small part in Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie (1980), was back with the comedy pair in Things Are Tough All Over (1982) and appeared in The Man Who Loved Women (1983), starringBurt Reynolds. He also guest-starred on shows such as Gimme a Break, Flamingo Road, The Greatest American Hero and Laverne & Shirley.
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Providence, R.I., by his grandparents, Alton “Ben” Powers attended the Rhode Island School of Design for painting and sketching before focusing on acting.
He performed stand-up comedy routines in Providence, incorporating impressions (he did a great Johnny Mathis) and songs into his act, where he was discovered by a Hollywood agent.
He went on to do stand-up comedy in comedy clubs around the country and a few Playboy clubs, and was eventually discovered by a Hollywood agent who signed him for television roles.
In addition to Good Times, Powers appeared as Moochie in the 1980’s CBS series Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer with Stacey Keach.
Gigs at the Playboy clubs in Los Angeles, New York and Boston led to a job in 1977 on the revived version of Laugh-In.
Survivors include his mother and his sisters Yvonne and Maya.
April 19, 8:50 a.m.: Details added, place of death corrected to New Bedford, Mass.
Twitter: @mikebarnes4
Powers died April 6 in New Bedford, Mass., his family announced.
He treated me like a queen on Good Times.”
In one story arc, Keith is drunk and slaps Thelma across the face, but she returns the favor at the end of the episode. (1979) - Keith Anderson
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“Good Times” Actor Ben Powers Dies at 64 Years Old
New Bedford, MA — Actor Alton “Ben” Powers, known for his role as Keith Anderson in the 1970’s CBS television series Good Times, has died at the age of 64.
He had guest apperances in Gimme a Break, Laverne and Shirley, Rowan, Martin’s Laugh-in and had had roles in several 1980’s movies.
He is survived by his mother, two sisters, two uncles, two aunts, four nephews and three nieces.
‘Good Times’ Actor Ben Powers Dies at 64
Ben Powers, who played Thelma’s (BernNadette Stanis) husband Keith Anderson on the final season of the 1970s CBS sitcom Good Times, has died.
His character in the popular sitcom was the boyfriend and then husband of Thelma Evans played by actress Bern Nadette Stanis.Powers was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 5, 1950, and was raised in Providence, Rhode Island where he attended the Rhode Island School of Design and began his acting career at the Trinity Repertory Theater in Providence.
“I really smacked him,” she recalled with a laugh.
Actor Ben Powers, Known For 'Good Times' TV Role, Dies at 64
Actor Alton "Ben" Powers, known for his role in the 1970s CBS television series "Good Times," has died at age 64.
Powers died April 6 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, according to the Auclair Funeral Home, which is handling arrangements.
Details were not released.
Powers played football player Keith Anderson, the husband of Thelma Evans, played by Bern Nadette Stanis, in "Good Times." The show was a Norman Lear hit about a black family in inner-city Chicago.
Powers also appeared as Moochie in the 1980s CBS series "Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer" with Stacey Keach, and had guest roles on other TV shows including "Gimmie a Break," "Flamingo Road," "The Greatest American Hero," "The New Odd Couple," and "Laverne & Shirley."
Powers also acted in several 1980s movies including "Cheech & Chong's Next Movie," "Things Are Tough All Over" and "The Man Who Loved Women."
His first TV roles were on NBC's "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in."
The Brooklyn, New York, native, was brought up by his grandparents in Providence, Rhode Island.
He attended the Rhode Island School of Design, and began his acting career at the Trinity Repertory Theater in Providence, his family said.
Powers is survived by his mother, two sisters, two uncles, two aunts, four nephews and three nieces.
--Associated Press
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Keith Anderson
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