If you’re a fan of What’s Happening or Good Times, chances are you have seen the real life daughter of late actress, Ja’Net Dubois’ (“Willona”) and didn’t even know it. She’s made several appearances on those two shows in the 70’s. She was always cast as the ‘pretty girl’ or the ‘puppy love interest’ of one of the male characters on the show.

Her most memorable role probably came from the What’s Happening “Shirley’s Date” episode in the video below, where she played the girl who got stood up by “Dwayne” and threw a drink in his face. She’s played a student, a cheerleader and various other roles on Good Times and What’s Happening between 1976 and 1979. Check out this throwback video clip of Ja’Net’s daughter, Rani Dubois, here…

Prior to Ja’Net Dubois heartbreaking passing from a cardiac arrest, at 74 years young in February 2020, you would have seen Rani making public appearances with her beloved Mom. If you hadn’t seen those two in recent years, they were just as beautiful as EVER! A lotta fellas had a crush on “Willona” back in the day and still had a crush on her well into her 70’s!

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An Old School fun fact about Ja’Net Dubois, is that although she played the best friend of JJ’s mother, “Florida,” she is only 2 years older than Jimmie Walker (“JJ”). Wow, who knew? Jimmie is 73 years old. Wouldn’t have thought that based on their roles on Good Times.

Another fun fact is that Ja’Net Dubois and Janet Jackson (who views Ja’Net as a mentor) were still very close up until the time of Ja’Net’s passing.

Thank you “Willona” for making us laugh and having that sassy attitude while doing it. Rest on beautiful queen.