When you’re a fan of The Jeffersons, you already know that it was a by-product of All within the Household. In truth, Mike Evans, who performed Lionel Jefferson, was the primary member of the Jefferson household to point out up on that iconic present. Mike had not, nevertheless, been producer Norman Lear‘s first decide for the character. As an alternative, Norman needed Cleavon Little, maybe greatest recognized for the basic Mel Brooks movie Blazing Saddles, to play Lionel. However the casting director for All within the Household was uneasy about Cleavon within the position; he needed an actor who would problem Archie Bunker’s considering, however do it in a non-threatening means. And for no matter cause, he felt that Cleavon was simply too darn edgy.