Marla Gibbs
Encyclopedia
Marla Gibbs is an American television and film actress and singer. She is best remembered for playing Louise
and George Jefferson
's sarcastic maid, Florence Johnston, on The Jeffersons
and spinoff Checking In
. She also starred as Mary Jenkins on the television series 227
.
. 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). 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 fame.
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
. She also has done voice-over work for the animated TV series, 101 Dalmatians
. Gibbs 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. In 2004, she 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. She co-wrote the theme song for 227
with songwriter Ray Colcord
.
on Chicago's South Side. She is divorced and has three adult children. Her older sister was the late Susie Garrett
.
Louise Jefferson
Louise Jefferson was a supporting character, portrayed by Emmy Award-winning actress Isabel Sanford, who appeared first on the television series All in the Family. She later became one of the main characters in its spinoff series, The Jeffersons...
and George Jefferson
George Jefferson
George Jefferson is a fictional character played by Sherman Hemsley in American television sitcoms All in the Family and its spin-off The Jeffersons...
's sarcastic maid, Florence Johnston, on The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons is an American sitcom that was broadcast on CBS from January 18, 1975, through June 25, 1985, lasting 11 seasons and a total of 253 episodes. The show was produced by the T.A.T. Communications Company from 1975–1982 and by Embassy Television from 1982-1985...
and spinoff Checking In
Checking In
Checking In was a short-lived 1981 television sitcom and spin-off of The Jeffersons, which itself had spun off from All in the Family....
. She also starred as Mary Jenkins on the television series 227
227 (TV series)
227 is an American situation comedy that originally aired on NBC from September 14, 1985, until May 6, 1990. The series starred Marla Gibbs as a sharp-tongued, inner-city resident gossip and housewife, Mary Jenkins...
.
Career
Before the start of her acting career, Gibbs had worked as a reservations agent for United Airlines before relocating with her children from Detroit to Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. 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). 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
The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons is an American sitcom that was broadcast on CBS from January 18, 1975, through June 25, 1985, lasting 11 seasons and a total of 253 episodes. The show was produced by the T.A.T. Communications Company from 1975–1982 and by Embassy Television from 1982-1985...
, where she started to gain international fame.
Gibbs has also appeared as guest star in several African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
sitcoms
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
, including, The Hughleys
The Hughleys
The Hughleys is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from September 22, 1998 to April 28, 2000 and on the UPN network from September 11, 2000 to May 20, 2002. It starred comedian D. L...
, Martin
Martin (TV series)
Martin is an American sitcom produced by HBO Independent Productions that aired for five seasons, from August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997 on Fox...
, Chappelle's Show
Chappelle's Show
Chappelle's Show is an American sketch comedy television series created by comedian Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan, with Chappelle hosting the show as well as starring in various skits. Chappelle, Brennan and Michele Armour were the show's executive producers. The series premiered on January 22,...
, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990 to May 20, 1996. The show stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is sent to move in with his aunt and uncle in their...
. She also has done voice-over work for the animated TV series, 101 Dalmatians
101 Dalmatians
101 Dalmatians is a 1996 American family comedy film produced by Walt Disney Pictures, and a remake of the Disney animated film One Hundred and One Dalmatians , which in turn was based on Dodie Smith's 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians. It stars Glenn Close as the villainous Cruella de Vil,...
. Gibbs 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
Frank Fitzpatrick
Frank Fitzpatrick is best known as a composer and music producer for film. He has also worked extensively in other areas of music and entertainment as a record producer, songwriter, and filmmaker...
, which will be released on the upcoming CD entitled, Scenes In Jazz. In 2004, she had a recurring role on the NBC daytime drama
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
, Passions
Passions
Passions is an American television soap opera which aired on NBC from July 5, 1999 to September 7, 2007 and on The 101 Network from September 17, 2007 to August 7, 2008....
, 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. She co-wrote the theme song for 227
227 (TV series)
227 is an American situation comedy that originally aired on NBC from September 14, 1985, until May 6, 1990. The series starred Marla Gibbs as a sharp-tongued, inner-city resident gossip and housewife, Mary Jenkins...
with songwriter Ray Colcord
Ray Colcord
Ray Colcord is an American film and TV composer living in Los Angeles, most famous for TV series such as 227, The Facts of Life, Silver Spoons, My Two Dads, Dinosaurs, Big Brother, and Boy Meets World...
.
Personal life
Gibbs was reportedly born Margaret Theresa Bradley in Chicago, Illinois at Cook County Hospital. She attended Wendell Phillips Academy High SchoolWendell Phillips Academy High School
Wendell Phillips Academy High School is a public 4-year high school located in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of the Chicago Public Schools and is named for the noted American abolitionist Wendell Phillips...
on Chicago's South Side. She is divorced and has three adult children. Her older sister was the late Susie Garrett
Susie Garrett
Susie Garrett was an American actress, best known for playing "Mrs. Betty Johnson" on the TV series Punky Brewster from 1984 to 1988.-Personal life:...
.
Selected filmography
- 2011: The Heart SpecialistThe Heart SpecialistThe Heart Specialist is a romantic comedy film starring Wood Harris, Zoe Saldana, Brian J. White, and Mýa. Originally released under the title Ways of the Flesh, the film premiered at the 2006 Boston Film Festival...
.... Ms. Overwood - 2009: Devil's Land .... Judge Martha M. Levine
- 2009: The What Goes Around Short Film 2009 .... Ms. Lacey
- 2008: Lincoln HeightsLincoln Heights (TV series)Lincoln Heights is an American drama television series about Eddie Sutton, a Mission Vista police officer who moves his family back to his old neighborhood, Lincoln Heights, to start a new life and to help out his old neighborhood...
.... Hazel Roberson (1 episode, 2008) - 2006: Ways of the Flesh .... Ms. Overwood
- 2006: The Ties That BindThe Ties That BindThe Ties That Bind by Jude Watson is the fourteenth in a series of young reader novels called Jedi Apprentice. The series explores the adventures of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi prior to Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.-Plot:...
.... Delores - 2005: Love on Layaway (V) .... Narrator
- 2005: Cold Case .... Georgie - 2005 (1 episode, 2005)
- 2005: ERER (TV series)ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
.... Cherise Barnes (1 episode, 2005) - 2004: Listen Up! .... Jackie Widmer (1 episode, 2004)
- 2004: PassionsPassionsPassions is an American television soap opera which aired on NBC from July 5, 1999 to September 7, 2007 and on The 101 Network from September 17, 2007 to August 7, 2008....
.... Aunt Irma (recurring, 2004) - 2002: Arli$$ (1 episode, 2002)
- 2002: The Rerun ShowThe Rerun ShowThe Rerun Show was a short-lived sketch comedy television series that aired on NBC from August 1, 2002 until August 20, 2002. VH1 also aired the show on Friday nights at 11:30 P.M...
.... Dr. Beamish (1 episode, 2002) - 2002: The HughleysThe HughleysThe Hughleys is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from September 22, 1998 to April 28, 2000 and on the UPN network from September 11, 2000 to May 20, 2002. It starred comedian D. L...
.... Hattie Mae Hughley (16 episodes, 1998–2002) - 2002: The King of QueensThe King of QueensThe King of Queens is an American sitcom that originally ran on CBS from September 21, 1998, to May 14, 2007.This show was produced by Hanley Productions and CBS Productions , CBS Paramount Television ,and CBS Television Studios in association with Columbia TriStar Television , and Sony Pictures...
.... Nana Louise (1 episode, 2002) - 2001: Judging AmyJudging AmyJudging Amy is an American television drama that was telecast from September 19, 1999, through May 3, 2005, on CBS-TV. This TV series starred Amy Brenneman and Tyne Daly...
.... Zella Van Exel (1 episode, 2001) - 2001: The Brothers .... Mary West
- 2000: Touched by an AngelTouched by an AngelTouched by an Angel is an American drama series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994 and ran for 211 episodes and nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003. Created by John Masius and produced by Martha Williamson, the series stars Roma Downey, as an angel named Monica, and Della...
.... Millie (1 episode, 2000) - 2000: Stanley's Gig .... Eleanor Whitney
- 2000: The VisitThe VisitThe Visit is a 1956 tragicomic play by Swiss dramatist Friedrich Dürrenmatt.-Plot summary:...
.... Lois Waters - 1999: Dawson's CreekDawson's CreekDawson's Creek is an American teen drama television series which debuted on January 20, 1998, on The WB Television Network and was produced by Sony Pictures Television. The show is set in the fictional seaside town of Capeside, Massachusetts, and in Boston, Massachusetts, during the later seasons...
.... Mrs. Fran Boyd (1 episode, 1999) - 1999: Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every ChildHappily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every ChildHappily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child is an American animated television series that premiered March 26, 1995, on HBO. Narrated by Robert Guillaume, the series aired 39 episodes from 1995 to 2000, and is currently airing on the HBO Family digital cable television channel in the United...
(1 episode, 1999) - 1999: Lost & Found .... Enid
- 1999: FoolishFoolishFoolish may refer to:* the derived term Foolishness* "Foolish" * "Foolish" * "Foolish", a song by Tyler James * Foolish , an album by Superchunk* Foolish , a 1999 film...
.... Odetta - 1999: Martial LawMartial lawMartial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
.... Delores Samuels (2 episodes, 1999) - 1998: Border to Border .... Dela
- 1998: 101 Dalmatians: The Series101 Dalmatians: The Series101 Dalmatians: The Series is a animated television series produced by the Walt Disney Company based on the classic 1961 Disney animated feature of the same name and its 1996 live-action remake.-Premise:...
.... Duchess (8 episodes, 1997–1998) - 1996: The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirThe Fresh Prince of Bel-AirThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990 to May 20, 1996. The show stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is sent to move in with his aunt and uncle in their...
.... Florence Johnston (1 episode, 1996) - 1995: MartinMartin (TV series)Martin is an American sitcom produced by HBO Independent Productions that aired for five seasons, from August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997 on Fox...
.... Miss Minnie (1 episode, 1995) - 1995: Burke's LawBurke's LawBurke's Law is a detective series that ran on ABC from 1963 to 1965 and was revived on CBS in the 1990s. The show starred Gene Barry as Amos Burke, millionaire captain of Los Angeles police homicide division, who was chauffeured around to solve crimes in his Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud...
(1 episode, 1995) - 1994: Lily in Winter (TV) .... Maize Covington
- 1993: Empty NestEmpty NestEmpty Nest is an American sitcom that originally aired on NBC from 1988 to 1995. The series was created as a spin-off of The Golden Girls by creator and producer Susan Harris. For its first three seasons, Empty Nest was one of the year's top 10 most-watched programs...
.... Josephine Douglas (1 episode, 1993) - 1993: In the Heat of the NightIn the Heat of the Night (TV series)In the Heat of the Night is a television series based on the motion picture and novel of the same name. It was broadcast on NBC from 1988 until 1992, and then on CBS until 1995...
.... 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: 227227 (TV series)227 is an American situation comedy that originally aired on NBC from September 14, 1985, until May 6, 1990. The series starred Marla Gibbs as a sharp-tongued, inner-city resident gossip and housewife, Mary Jenkins...
.... Mary Jenkins (115 episodes, 1985–1990) - 1985: The JeffersonsThe JeffersonsThe Jeffersons is an American sitcom that was broadcast on CBS from January 18, 1975, through June 25, 1985, lasting 11 seasons and a total of 253 episodes. The show was produced by the T.A.T. Communications Company from 1975–1982 and by Embassy Television from 1982-1985...
.... Florence Johnston (207 episodes, 1975–1985) - 1984: Pryor's PlacePryor's PlacePryor's Place is a short-lived children's television series that aired on CBS. The live-action series starred comedian, Richard Pryor as himself.-Overview:Despite a reputation for profanity from Richard Pryor, Pryor's Place was aimed at children...
.... Miss Stern (3 episodes, 1984) - 1981: The Love BoatThe Love BoatThe Love Boat is an American television series set on a cruise ship, which aired on the ABC Television Network from September 24,1977, until May 24,1986.The show starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain...
.... Janet Dalton (1 episode, 1981) - 1981: Checking InChecking InChecking In was a short-lived 1981 television sitcom and spin-off of The Jeffersons, which itself had spun off from All in the Family....
.... Florence Johnston (4 episodes, 1981) - 1976: Arthur Hailey's the Moneychangers TV mini-series .... Mrs. Euphrates
- 1975: Barney MillerBarney MillerBarney Miller is a situation comedy television series set in a New York City police station in Greenwich Village. The series originally was broadcast from January 23, 1975 to May 20, 1982 on ABC. It was created by Danny Arnold and Theodore J. Flicker...
.... Mrs. McBee (1 episode, 1975)