who played the father on what's happening
What's Happening!! Bill Thomas (Thalmus Rasulala) is Mabel's ex-husband and the father of Roger and Dee. He divorced Mabel, ran out on his family, and became a shady character. When he first appears, he tries to con Mabel out of money. Later episodes in which he appears depict him in a more positive light and culminate with his marriage to Lee Henderson (Lee Chamberlin). After his marriage, Bill was never seen again on the show, although he is mentioned. On follow-up series What's Happening Now!!, he guest starred in that show's Season 2 premiere episode "Nadine's Surprise". In that particular episode, it was explained that him and Roger had a strained relationship since he remarried and the latter's wife Nadine had planned a surprise reunion because Bill was planning to make amends with his estranged son.