Remember Mad Dog From 'Good Times'? He Is Now 68 & Helps ...

• Mothers With Will
• Women With Will
• News
• Celebrity
• • Musicians
  • TV Shows
  • Royals
  • Fashion
  • Hollywood
  • Athletes
  • Influencers
• Real Life
• Latest
• Trends
• Terms of use
• Privacy Policy
• Notice at collection
• Main Guidelines
• About us
• Contact us
• Advertise with us

Do not sell my personal informationHomeEntertainmentRemember Mad Dog from 'Good Times'? He is now 68 & helps children with his new programBy Edduin Carvajal Oct 19, 201803:29 P.M.Share

Mad Dog from “Good Times” helped shape people’s childhood. Oscar DeGruy, the actor’s real name, is no longer working in front of the cameras, but with children.

Advertisement

DeGruy’s career began in the 70s when he took a small role in the TV show “The Young Lawyers.” Soon later, he started working in other projects, including “The Bill Cosby Show,” “Room 222,” “Toma” and “The Streets of San Francisco.”

The actor’s most memorable role took place in “Good Times” when he played Mad Dog in the two-part episode titled “The Gang.” In it, his character wounded JJ, what caused his mother to confront him in a heart-wrenching scene where the woman told him that she hated him.

Advertisement

DETAILS OF THE ACTOR

It was later revealed in the episode that Mad Dog grew up without a paternal figure, so JJ’s father sort of understood why he was like that and took pity on him.

In real life, DeGruy was completely different to Mad Dog as he has always worked to help the community as much as possible.

Advertisement

Apart from joining the Black Panthers, he did his best to bring equality to minorities and underprivileged children.

THE WORKSHOPS

DeGruy and his late wife, Freddie, bought a performing arts theater in the middle 70s. In there, they put together the art of step and street dancing with the Bahá’í principles of equality, racial harmony and unity of all religions to create the Baha’i Youth Workshops.

Source: Insight Foundation

By 1995, more than 100 workshops in the US and about 50 were in operation, which means that several children have been somehow involved in DeGruy’s projects.

Advertisement

THE INSIGHT FOUNDATION

Nowadays, he is no longer working on the workshops. However, he still maintains the same philosophy to manage his Insight Foundation, created to “empower young people through combined innovative methods and insight-oriented techniques.”

Source: Insight Foundation

The former actor runs the foundation with his sister, Dr. Joy DeGruy, who has worked as a researcher, author, and educator.

Some of the most important topics she addresses are Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, Culture Specific Models, and Violence and Gang Prevention.

Advertisement

Source: Insight Foundation

ITS GOALS

The foundation objectives are clearly stated on its website:

“Bring educators and community members together to help students develop the values and skills required to cope with the personal and social issues that challenge their everyday lives.”

Advertisement

THE RELATIONSHIP OF CAST MEMBERS

Even though it has been quite a long time since “Good Times” hit people’s screen, some of its cast members are revealing some interesting aspects about the show.

One of them is Jimmie Walker, who played JJ. He revealed that the relationship that the actors had in real life was completely different to the one shown in the show.

Read also

Woody Allen Remembers Diane Keaton as a One-of-a-Kind Soul in Heartfelt Farewell

A Person Close to Anthony Hopkins Believes He May Have a Neurodevelopmental Disorder

Fans Express Concern About Ryan Seacrest's Appearance in New Cooking Video

NOT FRIENDS

“I will honestly say, I don’t remember ever speaking a word to Ester the whole time she was there. I think the same basically goes for John. We talk more now but very, very little. We were never friends, never talked,” said Walker.

Advertisement

Later, the man said that his former castmates didn’t appreciate the fact that they were working in a hit TV series as they “killed the goose that laid the golden egg.”

“These people, anytime you said anything, they get crazy, they get upset. I said ‘They don’t get it, man,’” added Walker.

At the moment, “Good Times” is considered one of the most influential TV shows of all times.

ShareAdvertisement AdvertisementRelated posts

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena's Love Story: From High School Sweethearts to Protective Parents

October 21, 2025

Who Is Rama Duwaji, the Wife of Newly Elected NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani?

November 05, 2025

Beloved 'Lassie' Actress June Lockhart Passes Away — Details

October 26, 2025

Amal Clooney, 47, Debuts Shorter Hair After Chopping off 8 Inches for Fall – Photos

October 08, 2025

Feuding Neighbors Build Wall on Property Line, Wake up Hearing Bulldozer One Day – Story of the Day

August 01, 2025

Michael Caine's Relationship with His Wife Shakira – And What Their Only Daughter Looks Like

November 11, 2025

'I'm Sensitive in My Spirit and Soul': The Amazing Transformation of Former Teen Idol Robby Benson, 69, in 35+ Photos

October 02, 2025

Denzel Washington Spotted on Set of Netflix's 'Here Comes the Flood' Sporting New Gray Hair Look

November 18, 2025

He Was 'Every Teenage Girl's Dream' in the '90s – Now He's a Psychologist Living a Quiet Life

November 12, 2025

Who Is Alexis Wilkins, FBI Director Kash Patel's Girlfriend – Everything to Know About Her

November 04, 2025

Donald Trump Seen Waving His Finger at Wife Aboard Marine One After Visiting the United Nations General Assembly

September 26, 2025

Top newsKeir Starmer Spoke in Parliament Amid Deepening Middle East Crisis - Video

March 03, 2026

This Disney Child Star Was Given a Two-Year Probation and Is Now Starting a New Life – Who Is He?

March 03, 2026

Actors Zendaya and Tom Holland Have Tied the Knot at a Secret Wedding Ceremony, According to Zendaya's Stylist Law Roach

March 03, 2026

Read alsoWoody Allen Remembers Diane Keaton as a One-of-a-Kind Soul in Heartfelt Farewell

October 14, 2025

A Person Close to Anthony Hopkins Believes He May Have a Neurodevelopmental Disorder

November 04, 2025

Fans Express Concern About Ryan Seacrest's Appearance in New Cooking Video

October 08, 2025