Marla Gibbs
Biography
Marla Gibbs, born Margaret Theresa Bradley on June 14 1931 in Chicago, Illinois, is an American actress, singer, comedian, writer and television producer whose career spans seven decades. She is most widely recognized for portraying Florence Johnston, the sarcastic maid to characters played by Isabel Sanford and Sherman Hemsley, on the sitcom The Jeffersons and its spinoff Checking In, and for starring as Mary Jenkins on the series 227. Gibbs’s acting credits number over one hundred, and she is also known by the name Maria Gibbs. In 1982 she purchased a venue on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Los Angeles, renaming it “Marla’s,” which became a gathering and performance space for the African‑American community.
Career overview
Marla Gibbs, born Margaret Theresa Bradley on June 14, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois, is an American actress whose career has extended across seven decades. Primarily recognized for her work in television, Gibbs is best remembered for portraying the sharp‑tongued maid Florence Johnston on the long‑running sitcom The Jeffersons and its short‑lived spin‑off Checking In. She later headlined the NBC series 227 as Mary Jenkins, a role that further solidified her status as a familiar face in American sitcoms. In addition to these signature parts, Gibbs has amassed more than one hundred acting credits, with TMDB listing 107 known performances across film and television.
Beyond the screen, Gibbs has been credited under the alternate name Maria Gibbs, and her professional profile identifies her as a female performer. Her body of work reflects a sustained presence in the entertainment industry, encompassing both comedic and dramatic roles that have contributed to the cultural landscape of American television. Throughout her extensive career, Gibbs has remained a notable figure for her distinctive portrayals and enduring appeal to audiences.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
109 titles- Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television (2025) as Self
- Love the Skin You're In (2025) as Brookie
- Mildred 4 a Million (2024) as Mildred
- Will Trent (2023) as Ms. Pearl
- Not Dead Yet (2023) as Nana Sugar
- History of the World: Part II (2023) as Ruby Seale
- UnPrisoned (2023) as Annie
- A Snowy Day in Oakland (2023) as Mrs. Keys
- Behind the Groove: The Black Ice Documentary (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022) as Self - Guest
- Sherri (2022) as Self - Guest
- Generation Gap (2022) as Self
- Spirit Halloween: The Movie (2022) as Grandma G
- Bromates (2022) as Grandma Gladys
- Soul of a Nation Presents: Screen Queens Rising (2022) as Self
- A Christmas Prayer (2022) as Mrs. Gladys
- The Upshaws (2021) as Mabel Anderson
- Big Shot (2021) as Destiny's Grandmother
- She Ball (2020) as Mrs. Watts
- Orpheus Star (2020) as Ruth Carmichael
- A Black Lady Sketch Show (2019) as Mary Jenkins
- El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019) as Jean
- Bless This Mess (2019) as Belle
- Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons" (2019) as Florence Johnston
- One Fine Christmas (2019) as Alice
- The Neighborhood (2018) as Miss Simpson
- Station 19 (2018) as Edith
- The Last O.G. (2018) as Mama Jarvis
- Please Stand By (2018) as Rose
- Love Jacked (2018) as Rose
- Young Sheldon (2017) as Doris
- One Day at a Time (2017) as Mrs. Jones
- Trial & Error (2017) as Mrs. Kratt
- Lemon (2017) as Lily
- Jalen Vs. Everybody (2017) as Grammie
- This Is Us (2016) as Woman At The Diner
- Teachers (2016) as Mrs. Potts
- Second Sight (2016) as Nana
- Chicago Med (2015) as Ruth Williams
- Harvey Beaks (2015) as Fuzzy (voice)
- The Carmichael Show (2015) as Francis
- The Man in 3B (2015) as Ms. Mamie
- black-ish (2014) as Mabel
- Charlie Murphy's Law (2014) as Vera Jenkins
- Grantham & Rose (2014) as Rose Price
- Scandal (2012) as Rose
- The First Family (2012) as Grandma Eddy
- Madea's Witness Protection (2012) as Hattie
- C'mon Man (2012) as Mrs. Crabtree
- Hot in Cleveland (2010) as Marcia
- Afro Ninja (2009) as Aunt Mary
- Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009) as Self
- Childrens Hospital (2008) as Flossie
- Back to the Grind (2007)
- The Heart Specialist (2006) as Ms. Overwood
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) as Joyce Ward
- Love on Layaway (2005) as Narrator
- Listen Up! (2004) as Jackie Widmer
- NCIS (2003) as Rosie Brown
- Cold Case (2003) as Georgie (2005)
- Chappelle's Show (2003)
- The Surreal Life (2003)
- The Brothers (2001) as Mary West
- The Visit (2001) as Lois Waters
- Stanley's Gig (2000) as Eleanor Whitney
- Judging Amy (1999) as Zella Van Exel
- Lost & Found (1999) as Enid
- Foolish (1999) as Odetta
- The King of Queens (1998) as Nana Louise
- Hollywood Squares (1998) as Self - Panelist
- Dawson's Creek (1998) as Mrs. Fran Boyd
- The Hughleys (1998) as Hattie Mae Hughley
- Martial Law (1998) as Delores Samuels
- Border to Border (1998) as Dela
- Mother Goose: A Rappin' and Rhymin' Special (1997) as Old Mother Hubbard (voice)
- Arli$$ (1996) as Mrs. Jones
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995) as Old Mother Hubbard (voice)
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995) as Grandmother (voice)
- ER (1994) as Cherise Barnes
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Millie
- Burke's Law (1994) as Jessica Wallace
- Lily in Winter (1994) as Maize Covington
- The Meteor Man (1993) as Mrs. Reed
- The Fire Next Time (1993)
- Martin (1992) as Miss Minnie
- Up Against the Wall (1991) as Louise Bradley
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) as Florence Johnston
- Dream On (1990) as Mrs. Perry
- Menu for Murder (1990) as Marty Hallard
- Drug Free Kids: A Parents' Guide (1988) as Self
- Your Alcohol I.Q. (1988) as Self
- A Different World (1987) as Principal Shaw
- 227 (1985) as Mary Jenkins
- Night of 100 Stars II (1985) as Self
- The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There (1985)
- The Young Landlords (1983) as Tina Robinson
- Amos 'n' Andy: Anatomy of a Controversy (1983) as Self
- Checking In (1981)
- You Can't Take it With You (1979) as Rheba
- The Love Boat (1977) as Janet Dalton
- Passing Through (1977) as Secretary
- Barney Miller (1975) as Mrs. McBee
- The Jeffersons (1975) as Florence
- The Jeffersons (1975) as Florence Johnston
- The Missing Are Deadly (1975)
- Black Belt Jones (1974) as Betty (uncredited)
- Sweet Jesus, Preacherman (1973) as Beverly Solomon
- Yours, Mine and Ours (1968) as Movie Patron (uncredited)
- The Last Revolutionary as Millie
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Marla Gibbs best known for?
Marla Gibbs is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Will Trent (2023), History of the World: Part II (2023), The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022), Sherri (2022).
When and where was Marla Gibbs born?
Marla Gibbs was born on June 14, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
How many credits does Marla Gibbs have?
Marla Gibbs has accumulated over 109 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1968 to 2025.
What is Marla Gibbs's background in cinema and television?
Marla Gibbs, born Margaret Theresa Bradley on June 14 1931 in Chicago, Illinois, is an American actress, singer, comedian, writer and television producer whose career spans seven decades. She is most widely recognized for portraying Florence Johnston, the sarcastic maid to characters played by Isabel Sanford and Sherma...
Marla Gibbs by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Chicago Med (2015) as Ruth Williams — aged about 84
- Station 19 (2018) as Edith — aged about 87
- This Is Us (2016) as Woman At The Diner — aged about 85
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) as Joyce Ward — aged about 74
- Chappelle's Show (2003) — aged about 72
- Young Sheldon (2017) as Doris — aged about 86
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