According to Ja’Net DuBois’ death certificate, her biological father was secretly none other than Jazz icon and the Blues Brothers’ very own Cab Calloway. The actress and singer/songwriter passed away at the age of 74-years-old, last month (Feb. 17), in her Glendale, California home due to cardiac arrest. DuBois’ death certificate was released by Los Angeles County Public Health office and obtained by TMZ and list her name as Jeannette T. Calloway-DuBois and list her father as the American musical legend rather than Gordon DuBois, the man that contributed to raising her throughout her adolescent years.  Kevin Winter/Getty Images

For those of you unaware of the life and legacy of Ja’Net DuBois, she portrayed Loretta Allen from 1970 to 1972 in the soap opera, Love of Life. The actress became the first Black–American female regular cast member on a daytime television series. DuBois later went to take a legendary role in CBS’ Good Times from 1974 to 1979 as Wilona Woods, the Chicago neighborhood gossip and family friend of the Evans family. DuBois is also responsible for co-writing and singing The Jeffersons famed theme song, “Movin’ On Up.” 

While DuBois was the daughter of Lillian Gouedy and Gordon DuBois, who were both instrumental in her upbringing, the death certificate documentation has had several questions arise. According to TMZ, Cab Calloway passed in 1994, and his estate had no clue between the connection of the legendary actress and Calloway being her secret biological father. The Calloway estate revealed in a statement:

“While we have a great appreciation for Ja’Net DuBois’ long and successful career, the Calloway Estate has nothing to add to this single document that has numerous mistakes and no verification.”

The Calloway estate pointed out that several birthplaces and birthdates were listed for Ja’Net DuBois on multiple pieces of official documentation, making her death certificate claim somewhat invalid. While Cab Calloway’s singing and dancing during the 1930s swing era helped establish the Harlem Renaissance and put the Cotton Club on the map, there is no way to truly provide sufficient evidence that he is the father of Ja’Net DuBois today.&nbsp

Check out the audio to Ja’Net DuBois 1980 hit single, “Queen of the Highway” in the video provided below. 

In the 1970s, the sassy neighbor on Good Times was a comedic character that often stole moments on the show. Ja'Net DuBois portrayed the character of Willona Woods on the classic television program and while that role was a standout among fans, DuBois has had a successful decadeslong career in the entertainment industry.

Frederick M. Brown / Stringer / Getty Images

On Tuesday (February 18), it was shared that DuBois had passed away. According to multiple reports, police believe that her death was natural causes and have no current plans to investigate. Janet Jackson, who played the role of Willona Woods's adopted daughter Penny on Good Times, shared a touching tribute on Instagram to her television mother.

"I am so very saddened to hear my longtime friend Ja’Net DuBois has passed away," Jackson penned in a caption of herself with DuBois. "I saw first hand how she broke stereotypes and changed the landscape for Black women in entertainment. I’m grateful in recent years I had a chance to see her and create more lasting memories. I pray for comfort for all her family and friends. Thank you Ja’Net, I’ll miss you. ?." 

The late actress's resumé includes appearances in Beverly Hills, 90210, A Different World, Sister Sister, Sanford and Son, The Love Boat, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, Martin, Moesha, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, The Steve Harvey Show, and the series The PJs which earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards in 1999 and 2001. Fans will also remember her as the voice behind the "Movin' On Up" theme song for The Jeffersons.

We send our deepest condeolences to Ja'Net DuBois's loved ones. Read through a few tributes below.