Ben Powers

Alton Adelbert Powers (July 5, 1950 – April 6, 2015), known professionally as Ben Powers, was an American actor. Powers was best known for his role as Thelma Evans's (portrayed by Bern Nadette Stanis) husband, Keith Albert Anderson, during the sixth and final season of the CBS sitcom Good Times (1978–79). Powers was also a cast member on the NBC television comedy series Laugh-In (1977–78).

Not to be confused with Ben Power.
For the American football player, see Ben Powers (American football).
Ben Powers
Powers in 1977
Born
Alton Adelbert Powers

(1950-07-05)July 5, 1950
Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
DiedApril 6, 2015(2015-04-06) (aged 64)
New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationRhode Island School of Design
OccupationActor
Years active1974–1987
Known forKeith Anderson – Good Times

Powers died on April 6, 2015 at age 64 due to liver cancer.[1]

Biography

Powers was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. He attended the Rhode Island School of Design.[2] Powers got his first break in the 1970s with Adrian Hall, director at Trinity Repertory Theater in Providence, Rhode Island, his hometown. In addition to stage acting, Powers did stand-up comedy, performed impressions, and sang standards as well as original music he wrote. He was discovered by a Hollywood agent in Providence, signed on to do movies, and entertained at the Playboy clubs in Las Vegas, New York, and Boston. After Good Times, Powers guest starred on a number of popular TV dramas and sitcom shows of the 1980s including Gimme a Break!, Flamingo Road, The Greatest American Hero, The New Odd Couple and Laverne & Shirley. Powers was also a regular on the CBS-TV hit detective drama show Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer in 1984-85, until the star, Stacy Keach, was arrested in London for cocaine smuggling and the show was canceled while Keach did time in England. Powers left the Hollywood scene at the end of 1985, before the detective series was picked up again. In the early 1980s, Powers appeared in a handful of big-screen films which included Cheech and Chong's Next Movie, Things Are Tough All Over and The Man Who Loved Women as well as a number of made-for-TV movies, mostly in smaller supporting roles.

Death

Powers died of liver cancer on April 6, 2015, at the age of 64 and was cremated.[2][3][4]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1975Great PerformancesJohnEpisode: "Brother to Dragons"
1977–78Laugh-InHimself (performer)6 episodes
1978–79Good TimesKeith Anderson24 episodes
1980Cheech and Chong's Next MovieWelfare Black
1982Gimme a Break!TonyEpisode: "Nell's Ex"
1982Flamingo RoadTV reporterEpisode: "An Eye for an Eye"
1982Flamingo RoadEpisode: "The Harder They Fall"
1982Things Are Tough All OverThe Pimp
1982Drop-Out FatherBen BrownTV movie
1982The New Odd CoupleSidepocket SidneyEpisode: "The Hustler"
1982The Greatest American HeroIvanEpisode: "The Price Is Right"
1982Laverne & ShirleyAaronEpisode: "Death Row: Part 1"
1983Laverne & ShirleyRick WestEpisode: "Here Today, Hair Tomorrow"
1983The Man Who Loved WomenAl
1984Shattered VowsTodTV movie
1984UncensoredSkit charactersDirect-to-video
1984–85Mickey Spillane's Mike HammerMoochie13 episodes

References
  1. The Hollywood Reporter: 'Good Times' Actor Ben Powers Dies at 64
  2. "Ben Powers Dies: 'Good Times' Actor Was 64". Deadline.com. April 18, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  3. Sad News: "Good Times actor Ben Powers passes away at 64"
  4. Barnes, Mike; Gajewski, Ryan (April 19, 2015). "'Good Times' actor Ben Powers dies at 64". Retrieved April 20, 2015.


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