A “What’s Happening” Actress Is The Daughter Of Beloved “Good Times” Star, Ja’Net Dubois

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 made several appearances on those two sitcoms back in the day. Ja’Net’s daughter was oftentimes cast as the ‘pretty girl’, or the ‘puppy love interest’ of one of the male characters on the show.

Ja’Net Dubois’s Daughter, Rani Dubois

Meet Rani Dubois. Her most memorable role probably came from the What’s Happening “Shirley’s Date” episode (shown 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, below…

 

Prior to Ja’Net Dubois heartbreaking passing from a cardiac arrest at 74 years young, in February 2020, you would have seen Rani making several public appearances with her beloved Mom. If you hadn’t seen those two queens toward Ja’Net’s latter years, She and Rani maintained a beautiful mother-daughter bond, and were just as beautiful as ever.

 

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Old School Fun Facts About Ja’Net Dubois

An Old School fun fact about Ja’Net Dubois, is that although she played the best friend of JJ’s mother, “Florida,” she was just two years older than 76-year-old Jimmie Walker (“JJ”). 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.