Marla Gibbs

Actor
Personal data
Name	Marla Gibbs
Birth Date	June 14, 1931
Birth Place	Chicago, Illinois, USA
Family	Jordan Gibbs (1956-1973; divorced); 3 children
Years Active	1973–present
Character	Mrs. Miller

Marla Gibbs is an American actress, comedienne and singer. She guest stars as Mrs. Miller in the fourth season Southland episode "Underwater". 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 opposite Southland star Regina King.

Biography

Early life

Gibbs was reportedly born Margaret Theresa Bradley in Chicago, Illinois at Cook County Hospital. She attended Wendell Phillips Academy High School on Chicago's South Side.

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 has also 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.

Personal life

Gibbs was reportedly born Margaret Theresa Bradley in Chicago, Illinois at Cook County Hospital. She attended Wendell Phillips Academy High School on Chicago's South Side. She is divorced and has three adult children. Her older sister was the late Susie Garrett.