Ernie Barnes was born on July 15, 1938 in Durham, North Carolina, USA as Ernest Eugene Barnes Jr. He is known for his work on Good Times (1974), Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige (1981) and Number One (1969). He was married to Bernadine Gradney, Janet Thaleen Norton and Andrea Burnett. He died on April 27, 2009 in Los Angeles, ...
Deidre Barnes, Michael Barnes, Erin Barnes, Paige Barnes, Sean Barnes
Parents
Fannie Mae Geer, Ernest E. Barnes, Sr.
Star Sign
Cancer
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Fact
1
He is the first professional athlete to become a noted artist.
2
His 1996 autobiography "From Pads to Palette" chronicles his childhood in the segregated South, his college and professional football experience to his first exhibition.
3
His neo-Mannerist style of art has been admired and collected internationally.
4
A traveling exhibition of his art and career titled "Liberating Humanity From Within" is being planned.
5
His final public exhibition was in 2007 when the NFL and Time Warner sponsored a tribute to him in New York City. It was hosted by his former teammate, the Hon. Jack Kemp, Susan L. Taylor, Brig Owens and Donna Brazile.
6
Appointed Official Sports Artist for the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics and also named "America's Best Painter of Sports" by the American Sports Art Museum.
7
Had a bit part on two early episodes of "Good Times".
8
His famous "Sugar Shack" dance scene gained international recognition when it appeared on the television series "Good Times" (1974-1979) and on a 1976 Marvin Gaye album. Throughout the television series most of the paintings "created" by the character JJ are works by Ernie Barnes. However, a few images were not painted by Barnes.
9
In 1971, along with Mike Henry, created the "Super Comedy Bowl," a CBS television variety special which showcased pro athletes with celebrities such as John Wayne, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Joe Namath, Jack Lemmon, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and Tony Curtis. A second special aired in 1972.
10
Appeared on a 1967 episode of the game show "To Tell The Truth" The panelists correctly guessed Barnes was the professional football player-turned-artist.
11
Was paid his final football season by New York Jets owner Sonny Werblin "to just paint." A year later, Barnes debuted his art in a solo exhibition at a prestigious Manhattan gallery. The show sold out and he subsequently retired from football.
12
Played offensive guard for the New York Titans (1960), San Diego Chargers (1961-1962), and Denver Broncos (1963-1964).
Art Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Good Times
1974-1979
TV Series paintings by - 133 episodes
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige
1981
TV Movie
Josh Gibson
Good Times
1975-1976
TV Series
First Hood / Hoodlum #1
Doctors' Wives
1971
Dr. Perfield
Number One
1969
Deke Coleman
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
18th Annual Trumpet Awards
2010
TV Special in memory of
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene
2008
Documentary
Himself
The Artist's Way
2006
TV Movie documentary
Himself
1961 AFL Championship Game
1961
TV Special
Himself - San Diego Chargers Guard
Known for movies
Good Times (1974-1979) as Art Department
Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige (1981) as Josh Gibson
$12 Million
