Marla Gibbs
 |
Marla Gibbs | |
|---|---|
| Born | Margaret Theresa Bradley June 14, 1931 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, comedienne, 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, who in her four decades of television is probably best remembered for playing Louise and George Jefferson's sarcastic maid, Florence Johnston, on The Jeffersons and spinoff Checking In. Since the death of co-star Sherman Hemsley in 2012, she is now the only surviving original Jeffersons cast member.[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 plays "Grandma Eddy" on the Byron Allen-produced sitcom The First Family.
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 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). 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. 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.
Filmography
- 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)