Before Broadway actor Ralph Carter assumed the role of "Michael Evans," another young Broadway actor Haywood Nelson had been hired for the role. According to Nelson in an interview, the producers felt Carter had more experience in front of a live audience, and thus hired him away from the play he was appearing in at the time, "A Raisin in the Sun." Previous to all of this, a young Laurence Fishburne was considered for the role as well.
In an EMMY TV LEGENDS interview Jimmie Walker said that during production of Good Times, from 1974-1979, he does not remember saying one word to John Amos or Esther Rolle that was not scripted.
J.J.'s catchphrase changed from "Dy-no-mite" to "I knooooooow" to "You know, what can I say?" When he answered the phone, he would say "Cello".
Jimmie 'JJ' Walker was only seven-and-a-half years younger than John Amos, who played his father. Although James and Florida were supposed to be close in age, Amos was 19 years younger than Esther Rolle, though it was implied that James was older than Florida.
JJ was often accused of being a negative portrayal of African American youth. Jimmie Walker defended the character's portrayal, noting that while some of his activities were admittedly mischievous, none were overtly criminal, also noting how he was shot for refusing to join a gang. Walker would also respond by rhetorically asking if characters such as Fonz from Happy Days were negative portrayals of white youths.