Marla Gibbs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marla Gibbs
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Gibbs at the NAACP convention in 2000
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| Born |
Margaret Theresa Bradley
June 14, 1931 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1973–present |
| Known for | Florence Johnston – The Jeffersons Mary Jenkins – 227 |
| Spouse(s) |
Jordan Gibbs
(m. 1955; div. 1973) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Susie Garrett (sister) |
Marla Gibbs (born Margaret Theresa Bradley; June 14, 1931) is a talented American actress, singer, comedian, writer, and television producer. Her career has lasted for over 50 years! She is best known for playing Florence Johnston, the funny maid, on the TV show The Jeffersons from 1975 to 1985. For this role, she was nominated five times for a special award called the Primetime Emmy Award.
Marla Gibbs also starred in another popular TV show called 227 from 1985 to 1990. She played the main character, Mary Jenkins, and even sang the show's theme song! She also helped produce the series. Gibbs has won seven NAACP Image Awards, which celebrate achievements by people of color in entertainment. In recent years, she has appeared in movies like Madea's Witness Protection and on TV shows such as Station 19, Grey's Anatomy, and Days of Our Lives. She also played Sweet Gam Gam on The Thundermans.
Contents
About Marla Gibbs
Her Early Life and School
Marla Gibbs was born Margaret Theresa Bradley on June 14, 1931. She went to Corpus Christi Elementary School. After finishing there in 1945, she attended St. Elizabeth High School. During her second year, she moved to Wendell Phillips Academy High School.
When she was 16, her father passed away. Marla then moved to Detroit to live with her mother and stepfather. She went to Northern High School there for a semester. After a few months, she returned to Chicago and finished high school at Phillips in June 1949.
Starting Her Acting Career
In 1963, Marla Gibbs moved to Los Angeles to get better after being sick. She started working as a reservations agent for United Airlines. Before becoming famous, she acted in local Black theater plays in Los Angeles. Her first movie roles were in the early 1970s in films like Sweet Jesus, Preacher Man and Black Belt Jones.
In 1975, she got the role of Florence Johnston, the maid, in the CBS comedy series The Jeffersons. For the first two years, Marla Gibbs kept both jobs. She would work on the TV show during the day and then go to her night shift at United Airlines. When The Jeffersons became very popular, CBS asked her to take a break from her airline job. Her acting on the show earned her five nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award.
Becoming a TV Star
In 1981, Marla Gibbs starred in a short TV show called Checking In, which was a spin-off from The Jeffersons. She once said that her character Florence was inspired by her own aunt and grandmother. She felt it was easy to play Florence because she was also good at giving "smart answers."
After The Jeffersons ended in 1985, Marla Gibbs became the main actress in the NBC sitcom 227. This show was based on a play. 227 aired until 1990 and made 116 episodes. Marla Gibbs was known for giving helpful advice to her young co-stars, like Regina King. She encouraged Regina to focus on her acting career. Marla Gibbs worked with her 227 co-star, Jackée Harry, again in the TV series The First Family.
Marla Gibbs also had many supporting roles in movies. She made guest appearances on popular TV shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Martin, Touched by an Angel, and ER. From 1998 to 2002, she had a regular role on The Hughleys.
In 2015, Gibbs appeared in the drama series Scandal. She also guest starred on Hot in Cleveland and This Is Us. In 2018, she had a recurring role on the ABC drama series Station 19.
In 2019, Marla Gibbs played Florence again in a special live TV event called Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons. This was just before her 88th birthday.
In 2021, Marla Gibbs started playing Olivia Price on the TV show Days of Our Lives. That same year, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her amazing work in television. In early 2025, she was honored with the American Black Film Festival Legacy Award.
Other Projects
From 1981 to 1999, Marla Gibbs owned a jazz club in Los Angeles called Marla's Memory Lane Jazz and Supper Club. She also released several music albums as a singer. In 1990, she moved her Crossroads Arts Academy and Theatre into a larger building in Los Angeles.
Her Personal Life
Marla Gibbs was married to her high school sweetheart, Jordan Gibbs, from 1955 to 1973. They had three children together.
On July 31, 2014, Marla Gibbs attended a book fair in Los Angeles to honor famous writers Maya Angelou and Ruby Dee. On January 11, 2016, she went to the funeral of singer Natalie Cole with her former 227 co-star, Jackée Harry. Marla Gibbs had worked with Natalie Cole in a TV movie called Lily in Winter.
In November 2024, Marla Gibbs shared stories about her nearly 50-year career at an event in Delaware. She talked about her life on and off screen, including her long friendship with Sherman Hemsley, who played her TV boss on The Jeffersons.
Awards and Nominations
Marla Gibbs has been recognized for her acting with several awards and nominations.
Golden Globe Awards
The Golden Globe Awards celebrate great work in movies and television. Marla Gibbs has received one nomination.
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series, Miniseries or TV Movie | The Jeffersons | Nominated |
Primetime Emmy Awards
The Primetime Emmy Awards honor excellent American television shows. Marla Gibbs has been nominated five times.
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | The Jeffersons | Nominated |
| 1982 | Nominated | ||
| 1983 | Nominated | ||
| 1984 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| 1985 | Nominated |
See also
In Spanish: Marla Gibbs para niños
