Introduction
Ralph David Carter (born May 30, 1961) is an American actor and singer best remembered as Michael Evans, the youngest child of Florida and James Evans, Sr., on the CBS sitcom Good Times from 1974–1979. Before joining Good Times, Carter appeared in the Broadway musical Raisin, based on the Lorraine Hansberry drama A Raisin in the Sun; as was noted in the credits during the first season.
Early acting career
Carter started on Broadway at just nine years old in the musical The Me Nobody Knows. After runs in Tough To Get Help, Dude and Via Galactica, he landed his breakout role as Travis Younger in Raisin. For which, he won the 1973 Drama Desk Award for Most Promising Performer as well as the 1974 Theatre World Award, and a nomination for the 1974 Tony Award in the category for Best Supporting or Featured Actor in a Musical.
Good Times
Norman Lear was enjoying huge success in the 1970s, with the hit televisions series All in the Family, Sanford and Son and Maude. In February 1974, Maude's housekeeper, Florida Evans (portrayed by Esther Rolle), was given her own spin off series, Good Times. John Amos, who had also appeared on Maude as Florida's husband, Henry, was renamed James for Good Times.
Carter's success in Raisin brought him to the attention of Lear, who bought out the remainder of his Broadway contract to cast him as the first original character of Good Times, James and Florida's youngest son, Michael.
Other work
In 1975, Carter recorded an album called When You're Young and in Love, and performed it on Soul Train. The title song, along with another called "Extra, Extra" charted at No. 10 and No. 12 respectively. He released a single called "Get it Right" in 1985.
In 2005, Carter appeared on the cast of "Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death" for the Classical Theater of Harlem Company.