Marla Gibbs
| Marla Gibbs | |
|---|---|
 Gibbs in 2012 | |
| Born |
Margaret Theresa Bradley June 14, 1931 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress, comedian, singer |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Spouse(s) | Jordan Gibbs (1956–1973; divorced; 3 children) |
Marla Gibbs (born Margaret Theresa Bradley; June 14, 1931) is an American television and film actress and singer. She is best known for playing Louise and George Jefferson's maid, Florence Johnston, on The Jeffersons and spin-off Checking In. Since the death of co-star Sherman Hemsley in July 2012, she, Damon Evans and Berlinda Tolbert are the only surviving Jeffersons cast members. (Although many people may mistakenly think Gibbs was part of the series' original main cast, she didn't become part of the main cast until the series' fourth season.)[1] She also starred as Mary Jenkins on the television series 227[2] and appeared in the film Madea's Witness Protection (2012).[3] She currently has a recurring role as Grandma Eddy on the Byron Allen-produced sitcom The First Family.
Career
Before the start of her acting career, Gibbs worked as a reservations agent for United Airlines before relocating with her children from Detroit to Los Angeles. Gibbs appeared with Tom Poston and Bert Convy on Super Password in 1986.
Gibbs has appeared as guest star in several African American sitcoms, including The Hughleys, Martin, Chappelle's Show, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She has done voice-over work for the animated TV series 101 Dalmatians.
Gibbs starred and sang in the movie Stanley's Gig. She performed the theme song "In the Memory of You," by writer/producer Frank Fitzpatrick, which will be released on the upcoming CD Scenes In Jazz. Gibbs owned a jazz club in South Central L.A. called "Marla's Memory Lane Jazz and Supper Club" from 1981 to 1999. She released a music CD, It's Never Too Late, in May 2006. She co-wrote the theme song for 227 with songwriter Ray Colcord.[citation needed]
Personal life
Gibbs was reportedly born Margaret Theresa Bradley in Chicago, Illinois at Cook County Hospital. She is the daughter of Ophelia Birdie (née Kemp) and Douglas Bradley.[4] She attended Wendell Phillips Academy High School in the Bronzeville neighborhood on Chicago's south side. She is divorced and has three adult children. Her older sister was the late Susie Garrett of Punky Brewster fame. Her daughter is actress and writer Angela Gibbs.
Filmography
- 2012: Mr. Box Office as Maid
- 2012: The First Family (TV Series) as Grandma Eddy
- 2012: Madea's Witness Protection .... Hattie
- 2012: "Southland (TV Series)...Ms. Miller
- 2011: Tyler Perry's House of Payne ... Florence Johnston
- 2011: The Heart Specialist .... Ms. Overwood
- 2009: Devil's Land .... Judge Martha M. Levine
- 2009: The What Goes Around Short Film 2009 .... Ms. Lacey
- 2008: Lincoln Heights .... Hazel Roberson (1 episode, 2008)
- 2006: Chappelle's Show ... Herself
- 2006: Ways of the Flesh .... Ms. Overwood
- 2006: The Ties That Bind .... Delores
- 2005: Love on Layaway (V) .... Narrator
- 2005: Cold Case .... Georgie - 2005 (1 episode, 2005)
- 2005: ER .... Cherise Barnes (1 episode, 2005)
- 2004: Listen Up! .... Jackie Widmer (1 episode, 2004)
- 2004: Passions .... Aunt Irma (recurring, 2004)
- 2002: Arli$$ (1 episode, 2002)
- 2002: The Rerun Show .... Dr. Beamish (1 episode, 2002)
- 2002: The Hughleys .... Hattie Mae Hughley (16 episodes, 1998–2002)
- 2002: The King of Queens .... Nana Louise (1 episode, 2002)
- 2001: Judging Amy .... Zella Van Exel (1 episode, 2001)
- 2001: The Brothers .... Mary West
- 2000: Touched by an Angel .... Millie (1 episode, 2000)
- 2000: Stanley's Gig .... Eleanor Whitney
- 2000: The Visit .... Lois Waters
- 1999: Dawson's Creek .... Mrs. Fran Boyd (1 episode, 1999)
- 1999: Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1 episode, 1999)
- 1999: Lost & Found .... Enid
- 1999: Foolish .... Odetta
- 1999: Martial Law .... Delores Samuels (2 episodes, 1999)
- 1998: Border to Border .... Dela
- 1998: 101 Dalmatians: The Series .... Duchess (8 episodes, 1997–1998)
- 1996: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air .... Florence Johnston (1 episode, 1996)
- 1995: Martin .... Miss Minnie (1 episode, 1995)
- 1995: Burke's Law (1 episode, 1995)
- 1994: Lily in Winter (TV) .... Maize Covington
- 1993: Empty Nest .... Josephine Douglas (1 episode, 1993)
- 1993: In the Heat of the Night .... Lilly Baker (1 episode, 1993)
- 1993: The Meteor Man .... Mrs. Reed, Jeff's Mother
- 1993: A Different World .... Principal Shaw (1 episode, 1993)
- 1991: Up Against the Wall .... Louise Bradley
- 1990: Menu for Murder .... Marty Hallard
- 1985: 227 .... Mary Jenkins (115 episodes, 1985–1990)
- 1984: Pryor's Place .... Miss Stern (3 episodes, 1984)
- 1981: The Love Boat .... Janet Dalton (1 episode, 1981)
- 1981: Checking In .... Florence Johnston (4 episodes, 1981)
- 1976: Arthur Hailey's the Moneychangers TV mini-series .... Mrs. Euphrates
- 1975: Barney Miller .... Mrs. McBee (1 episode, 1975)
- 1975: The Jeffersons .... Florence Johnston (207 episodes, 1975–1985)
- 1974: Black Belt Jones....Betty (uncredited)
- 1973: Sweet Jesus, Preacherman....Beverly Solomon
References
External links
- Marla Gibbs at the Internet Movie Database
- Marla Gibbs interview from Archive of American Television (July 27, 2006)
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