Bern Nadette Stannis – 67

American actress and author Bern Nadette Stannis is best known by audiences for her portrayal of Thelma Evans on the CBS sitcom Good Times. The show was on air for five years, helping Stannis become a household name in the process. Even before she got into the industry, however, the actress had always been quite artistic. In fact, she even attended the Juilliard School. During her teens, however, Stannis set her sights on the pageant world. She competed in the Miss Black America pageants, taking home the crown for Miss Brooklyn in the process.

When Good Times ended, the actress continued to appear regularly on television. She had guest roles in The Cosby Show and even did voice acting for different commercials. As an author, she has four successful books to her credit, including The Last Night and For Men Only, to mention a few. With her talent, we’re sure she’ll publish more in the future.