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.
Scott Grimes Scott Richard Grimes (born July 9, 1971) is an American actor, voice artist, singer, and songwriter. Some of his most prominent roles include appearances in ER as Dr. Archie Morris, Party of Five as Will McCorkle, Band of Brothers as Technical Sergeant Donald Malarkey, and the animated sitcom American Dad!, voicing Steve Smith. He is also well known by cult movie fans for his role as Bradley Brown in the first two Critters films. As of September 10, 2017, he has been a regular on the Fox sci-fi comedy-drama The Orville.