Marla Gibbs is an American actress with a $4 million fortune. Marla Gibbs is probably best known for playing the witty maid Florence Johnston in the enduring TV sitcom The Jeffersons from the 1970s and 1980s. Before joining the Performing Arts Society of Los Angeles, Gibbs worked as a bookings agent for United Airlines.
She soon appeared in successful productions at the Zodiac Theatre. Gibbs’ most enduring performance on The Jeffersons came in the early 1970s. Gibbs was a favorite in black TV sitcoms including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Martin, and The Hughleys until the beloved show ended in 1985.
While at the height of her acting career, Gibbs ran Marla’s Memory Lane Jazz and Supper Club from 1980 to 1999. She co-wrote and sang the theme song for the 1980s TV hit 277, as well as released the jazz CD “It’s Never Too Late.” Gibbs played the sarcastic inner-city housewife Mary Jenkins in the comedy show.
Childhood, Family, and Career
Marla was named after her aunt Margaret Kemp, who was the middle child of Ophelia Birdie and Douglas Bradley. Susie Garret, her older sister, also dabbled in the entertainment industry as an actress, jazz vocalist, and acting instructor.
She received her high school diploma in 1949 from Wendell Philips Academy High School in Chicago. She subsequently moved to Detroit and enrolled at Peters Business School. After working as a receptionist at the Gotham Hotel and a switchboard operator at the Detroit Street Railways, she was transferred to Los Angeles and enrolled in acting training at the Mafundi Institute and the Watts Writers’ Workshop after being hired by United Airlines as a receptionist.
Acting Profession
Marla’s acting career did not begin until she was 41 years old when she starred in blaxploitation films such as “Sweet Jesus,” “Black Belt Jones,” and “Preacher Man.” Her breakout role occurred in 1975 when she was cast as the spunky maid Florence in the longest-running sitcom, “The Jeffersons,” which went on to earn immense success and appeal across generations.
Marla received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series during its 11-season run, which saw it win countless accolades and nominations. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress—Series, Miniseries, or Television for her outstanding performance as Florence.
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Marla primarily switched between more TV appearances and TV movies in the ensuing years, appearing in several films like “Checking In,” “Pryor’s Place,” and “You Can’t Take It With You.” She won the major role of Mary Jenkins in another successful TV series called “227,” starring Hal Williams and Regina King, after “The Jeffersons” was abruptly canceled in 1985. This show had five seasons, won many viewers over, and received numerous nominations and awards.
Several one-episode cameos in series like “A Different World,” “Empty Nest,” and “Dream On” are among her other significant TV credits. She made a comeback to the big screen as Maxine Reed in the superhero film “The Meteor Man” in 1993. She was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series two years later for her performance as Miss Minnie in an episode of the sitcom “Marvin.”
She served as a regular cast member in several other comedies after starring in the well-known “The Fresh Prince of BelAir,” including “The Hughley’s,” “Martial Law,” and “Dawson’s Creek.” She acted in the comedy dramas “Foolish” and “Lost & Found” in 1999.
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She played Lois Waters in the movie “The Visit” the following year, which got her two nominations for the NAACP Image Award and Black Reel Award.
She continued to make one-episode cameos in 2005 when she was cast as Aunt Irma in the drama series “Passions,” earning another NAACP Image Award nomination. After that, she alternated between roles in short films and TV shows including “The Brothers,” “ER,” and “Cold Case.”
She played Grandma Eddy in the sitcom “The First Family” in 2012. She also acted in the comedy film “Madea’s Witness Protection,” which was followed by her part in “Grantham & Rose” in 2015.
Marla featured in two episodes of “The Carmichael Show” after making appearances in TV shows like “Scandal,” “Hot in Cleveland,” and “American Horror Story: Hotel.” Her remarkable filmography features several hit movies like “Please Stand By,” “Love Jacked,” and “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.” Marla made numerous TV appearances as well, including “NCSI,” “Black-ish,” and “Trial & Error.”
Marla Gibbs’s Personal Life
In 1955, Marla wed her high school love, Jordan Gibbs, and the couple had three children: Angela, Dorian, and Joseph. Angela began her career as an actress, director, and writer, possibly most recognized for her parts in “The Revenant,” “Straight Outta Compton,” and “The Fosters.” The marriage between Marla and Jordan did not endure, and the pair divorced in 1973.
She had had several setbacks at the start of the new millennium, both personally and professionally. In 2002, she first lost her sister to cancer. A few years later, she had a burst aneurism, which was followed by a stroke. Fortunately, Marla regained her strength and kept appearing in different performances. Then, in 2010, she broke her foot, which required surgery.
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Marla Gibbs’s Net Worth
The American actress Marla Gibbs has a net worth of $4 million. She is best known for playing the snarky maid Florence Johnston on the TV show The Jeffersons, for which she was nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards.
Marla Gibbs’s Biography
Her actual name is Margaret Theresa Bradley. Her nickname is Marla Gibbs. According to her birthplace, she was born in the United States. This person’s hometown is Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. To obtain additional details, scroll down the following table.
Real Name/Birth Name | Margaret Theresa Bradley |
Known as | Marla Gibbs |
Gender | Female |
Main Profession | Actress, Singer, Writer, Comedian, Television Producer |
Citizenship | American |
Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois US |
Birth Day | 14-Jun-31 |
Age | 91 years old |
Height | 1.73 heights |
Heights in Feet | 5 feet and 8 inches height |
Heights in cm | 173 cm |
Weight | 59 kg weight |
Weight in Pound | 130 pounds |
Dating History | To be Updated |
Marital Condition | Single |
Spouse | Jordan Gibbs |
Daughter and Son | Yes (Angela E. Gibbs, Dorian Gibbs, Joseph Gibbs) |
Income | $200.00 |
Net Worths | $4 million |
New Roles
Her most recent efforts include guest-starring roles in television programs such as “One Day at a Time,” “Young Sheldon,” and “The Last O.G.” She also had a recurring role as Olivia Price in the NBC serial opera “Days of Our Lives,” one of the world’s longest-running scripted shows, which celebrated its 14,000th episode in December 2020. The show has been renewed through September 2023 as of 2021.
Why Did Marla Gibbs Change Her Name?
starred in the Broadway production of 227 (1985), which Christine Houston produced, and went on to produce, star in, and write for the comedy. Considering Margaret Bradley’s name to be excessively long, she changed it to Marla Gibbs. She desired to follow the ebb and flow of her recently changed name.