“Good Times” Actor Ben Powers Dies at 64 Years Old

New Bedford, MA — Actor Alton “Ben” Powers, known for his role as Keith Anderson in the 1970’s CBS television series Good Times, has died at the age of 64. His character in the popular sitcom was the boyfriend and then husband of Thelma Evans played by actress Bern Nadette Stanis.

Powers was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 5, 1950, and was raised in Providence, Rhode Island where he attended the Rhode Island School of Design and began his acting career at the Trinity Repertory Theater in Providence. He went on to do stand-up comedy in comedy clubs around the country and a few Playboy clubs, and was eventually discovered by a Hollywood agent who signed him for television roles.

In addition to Good Times, Powers appeared as Moochie in the 1980’s CBS series Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer with Stacey Keach. He had guest apperances in Gimme a Break, Laverne and Shirley, Rowan, Martin’s Laugh-in and had had roles in several 1980’s movies.

He is survived by his mother, two sisters, two uncles, two aunts, four nephews and three nieces.