Janet Jackson pays touching tribute to 'Good Times' star Ja'Net DuBois
Janet Jackson is mourning the loss of her friend, Ja'Net Dubois.
DuBois died Tuesday at 74 according to the Associated Press.
Police in Glendale, California, said they received a report about Dubois’ death late Monday. She appeared to have died of natural causes and no investigation is ongoing, Sgt. Dan Stubbs said.
Jackson shared three photos of her and Dubois to Instagram Tuesday night, one of which pictured Janet as a child smiling next to the "Good Times" star.
In her post, the singer highlighted Dubois' contributions to entertainment.
"I am so very saddened to hear my longtime friend Ja’Net DuBois has passed away. I saw first hand how she broke stereotypes and changed the landscape for Black women in entertainment," Jackson captioned the post. "I’m grateful in recent years I had a chance to see her and create more lasting memories. I pray for comfort for all her family and friends. Thank you Ja’Net, I’ll miss you."
DuBois is best known for playing Willona Woods on "Good Times," the feisty next-door neighbor to the Evans family and adoptive mother of Janet Jackson's character, Penny Gordon Woods. DuBois appeared on all six seasons of the CBS sitcom, which aired from 1974 to 1979.
The New York native was also a singer–songwriter, co-writing and singing the iconic "Movin' on Up" theme song for another Norman Lear series, "The Jeffersons," which is often dubbed one of the greatest TV theme songs of all time.
DuBois won two Emmy Awards for her voiceover on Eddie Murphy's animated sitcom "The PJs," which aired on Fox and WB from 1999 to 2001.
Her other acting credits include TV shows "The Wayans Bros," "Moesha" and "The Steve Harvey Show," films "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" and "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" and the Broadway plays "A Raisin in the Sun" and "Golden Boy," with Sammy Davis Jr.
In December, DuBois and "Good Times" co-stars Jimmie Walker and BernNadette Stanis made a brief appearance with Jimmy Kimmel during a "Live in Front of a Studio Audience" special that featured a "Good Times" episode re-enacted from an original script. Tiffany Haddish played Willona in ABC's revival of Lear comedies.
The actress and singer's death came as a shock to her peers.
"Devastated to hear of the sudden passing of the iconic Ja'Net Dubois," wrote actress Holly Robinson Peete. "We all cherished her as the beloved Willona on #GoodTimes. Got to work with her on Hangin' With Mr. Cooper. I followed her around like a puppy dog. She shared so much wisdom. I loved and will miss her dearly."
TV Land posted a tribute to DuBois, adding the actress "will be missed."
Contributing: The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ja'Net DuBois death: Janet Jackson shares tribute to 'Good Times' star