Jimmie Walker

…to a meeting with actor-comedian Jimmie (“JJ”) Walker, who subsequently invited Allen to join a team of writers, including David Letterman and Jay Leno, who were creating material for his stand-up performances. Allen continued to perform at the Comedy Store and other clubs in the Los Angeles area.

Lumet initially wanted Jimmie Walker, star of the immensely popular CBS television sitcom Good Times (1974–79), for the role of the Scarecrow, amid doubts about the abilities of Michael Jackson, who had no professional acting experience. Cohen flew Jackson to New York, and the 19-year-old wowed Lumet, Quincy…