| Marla Gibbs | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 14, 1931 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Occupation | actress, singer |
| Years active | 1973–present |
Marla Gibbs (born June 14, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois) is an African-American television and film actress.
She is best known for her role as Isabel Sanford's and Sherman Hemsley's sarcastic maid, Florence Johnston, on The Jeffersons and its short-lived spinoff, Checking In. She also starred as Mary Jenkins on the television series 227.
Contents |
Career
Early acting career
Before the start of the acting career, Gibbs had worked as an airline attendant before relocating with her children from Detroit to Los Angeles. Soon afterwards, she joined PASLA (Performing Arts Society of Los Angeles) with her daughter, Angela, and studied at the Mafundi Institute and Watts Writers Workshop (both in Watts, California). Ms. Gibbs soon performed in several well-received productions including Medea, Amen Corner and The Gingerbread Lady at the Zodiac Theatre. After a few bit parts, Ms. Gibbs landed the plum role of Florence on The Jeffersons, where she started to gain international notoriety.
Network promos
Marla has also appeared in a couple of NBC promos, and appeared with other famous celebrities on NBC's 60th Anniversary Celebration, the three-hour event was broadcast on May 12, 1986. In 1993 she appeared in the film Meteor Man.
Other works
Gibbs has also appeared as guest star in several African American sitcoms, including, The Hughleys, Martin, Chappelle's Show, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Marla Gibbs also has done voice-over work for the animated TV series, 101 Dalmatians. Marla also 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 entitled, Scenes In Jazz.
Recent years
In recent years, Gibbs had a recurring role on the NBC daytime drama, Passions, as the foul-mouthed, and somewhat hateful "Aunt Irma Johnson."
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. Marla Gibbs also co-wrote 227's theme song with television songwriter Ray Colcord.
Personal life
Gibbs, who is divorced, has three adult children (2 sons and a daughter, whom she had by the age of 20). She was first married at the age of 13. Gibbs is also the younger sister of late supporting actress Susie Garrett, who co-starred with actress Soleil Moon Frye and veteran character actor George Gaynes on the 1980s NBC-TV sitcom show Punky Brewster.
Actress
- 2009: Devil's Land .... Judge Martha M. Levine
- 2009: Afro Ninja (V) .... Aunt Mary
- 2009: The What Goes Around Short Film 2009 .... Ms. Lacey
- 2008: Lincoln Heights .... Hazel Roberson (1 episode, 2008)
- 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 (1 episode, 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
- 1991: Last Breeze of Summer
- 1990: Menu for Murder .... Marty Hallard
- 1985: 227 .... Mary Jenkins (115 episodes, 1985-1990)
- 1986: Drug Free Kids: A Parents' Guide (V)
- 1985: The Jeffersons .... Florence Johnston (207 episodes, 1975-1985)
- 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)
- 1979: You Can't Take It with You (TV) .... Rheba
- 1977: Passing Through
- 1976: Arthur Hailey's the Moneychangers TV mini-series .... Mrs. Euphrates
- 1975: Barney Miller .... Mrs. McBee (1 episode, 1975)
- 1975: The Missing Are Deadly (TV) .... Nurse #1
- 1974: Black Belt Jones (uncredited) .... Bartender
- 1973: Sweet Jesus, Preacherman (1973) .... Beverly Solomon
External links
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