Bern Nadette Stanis - Thelma From Good Times

Bern Nadette Stanis (born Bernadette Stanislaus, December 22, 1953) is an American actress and author. Stanis is best known for her role as Thelma Ann Evansâ€"Anderson, the only daughter of Florida and James Evans, Sr. on the CBS sitcom Good Times which originally ran from 1974 to 1979. Stanis is the author of four books: Situations 101: Relationships, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly; For Men Only; Situations 101: Finances; and The Last Night.

Early life and career

Stanis was born and raised in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, New York City, New York, to a mother named Eula. Stanis attended Erasmus Hall High School and later attended the Juilliard School.

As a teen she entered Miss Black America pageants, and went on to become Miss Brooklyn, a title with which she became first runner-up in the Miss New York state pageant.

Stanis played the role of Thelma Ann Evans on Good Times from 1974 to 1979. After Good Times ended, she made appearances on several television shows, including The Cosby Show and What's Happening Now!!. She and former co-star Jimmie Walker lent their voices to a radio spot for AT&T. Stanis was most recently seen in a Nationwide Insurance commercial. Stanis has been featured in several promotions for the TV One network. She appeared in a "Thelma" promotion that aired on September 19, 2009 alongside actress Anna Maria Horsford in the "Battle of the Thelmas" that specifically aired their weddings from their respective TV series (Horsford portrayed "Thelma Frye" in the TV series Amen). During the "Way Black Then" promotions in February 2010 (in honor of Black History Month), she and Walker appeared on the 30-minute program Color TV to share their memories and thoughts on Good Times. One of her latest appearances was on TV One's show. In July 2016, Stanis appeared on an episode of Centric's Being discussing her life and career.

Personal life

Stanis has been married four times. Her first marriage was to high-school sweetheart Thomas Fauntleroy from June 1974 until 1978, then to Brooklyn nightclub owner Darnell Johnson in January 1979.

Stanis' third marriage was to mechanical engineer Terrence Redd. Stanis gave birth to their daughter Dior Ravel in April 1982. The couple later divorced. Her fourth husband is Kevin Fontana; an article in 2012 said they had been married 31 years, but Stanis was married to Redd circa 1981.

Stanis also has a second child, daughter Brittany Rose.