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Entertainment & Media
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Dyn-O-Mite Discovery: Janet Jackson's Forgotten Dramatic Role on 'Good Times'
Long before she was a global music icon, Janet Jackson was a child actor. At just 11 years old, she played Penny Gordon on the hit sitcom 'Good Times,' tackling a serious and groundbreaking storyline about child abuse that many viewers still remember vividly today.
When you think of Janet Jackson, you likely picture a global music superstar, a dance icon, and a cultural force who took 'Control' of the pop charts. But long before she was a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, she was a young girl on a TV set, delivering a dramatic performance in one of the most popular sitcoms of the 1970s.
It’s a piece of pop culture history that still surprises many: Janet Jackson was a child actor on the Norman Lear-produced sitcom, “Good Times.”
From a Musical Dynasty to a TV Set
In 1977, at just 11 years old, Janet joined the cast of “Good Times” for its fifth season. She was introduced as Millicent “Penny” Gordon, a shy, abused neighborhood kid. This wasn't just a minor guest spot; Jackson became a series regular for the final two seasons, appearing in 48 episodes. For a child from the world's most famous musical family, this pivot to dramatic acting placed her in an entirely new kind of spotlight.
A Sitcom Tackles a Serious Subject
“Good Times” was known for blending humor with serious social commentary, but Penny's storyline took this to a new level. The character was a victim of horrific child abuse at the hands of her biological mother, a plot point that culminated in one of the most shocking and memorable scenes in 70s television: the discovery that Penny had been burned with a hot iron. The storyline followed the Evans family's fierce neighbor, Willona Woods (Ja'Net DuBois), as she fought to adopt and protect Penny. It was a dark, emotional arc that showcased Jackson's early acting talent and left a lasting impact on audiences who weren't used to seeing such raw subject matter in a comedy series.
The Personal Toll of an Early Spotlight
While the role was a professional milestone, Jackson later revealed in her 2022 documentary that the experience was personally challenging. Thrust into the public eye during puberty, she began to struggle with her body image, an issue compounded by the show's production needs.
I did ‘Good Times’ and that’s the beginning of having weight issues and the way I looked at myself... I was developing, and they would bind my chest so I would look younger. It was difficult.
This candid reflection adds a poignant layer to her time on the show, reminding us of the pressures faced by young performers.
The Launchpad for a Superstar
After “Good Times” ended in 1979, Jackson continued acting with roles on shows like “Diff'rent Strokes” and “Fame.” This period served as a crucial, if sometimes difficult, chapter in her evolution as a performer. By 1986, she would channel her experiences and desire for independence into her breakout album, “Control,” changing music forever. Her early career on the small screen is a fascinating, often-overlooked foundation of the icon she would become, proving that her powerful storytelling abilities were present long before she ever topped the charts.